A No vaccination wrong understanding

The likely ignorance being bantered in the “no vaccination” discussions is at times appalling. Inherent in our constitutional liberties is the implicit imperative to maintain individual freedom.  On the other hand, this Corona Virus is another level of existence which affects more than the individual; it threatens human existence for the masses. 

The Corona Virus has some of the pedigree of long-acting viruses such as Herpes simplex which forms the basis of chicken pox.   Other relatives of Herpes exist such as found in varicella-zoster virus (shingles), cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus (seen in Africa and causer of Mononucleosis), human herpes virus 6 virus types 1 and 2 - (variants A and B), human herpes virus 7, and Kaposi's sarcoma virus (sometimes seen in AIDS victims) or human herpes virus 8. In our infancy in unlocking the mysteries of viruses there may be found a host of other such relatives. 

The Corona virus seems to be just getting started in unveiling its deadly potential. Its variants are described by their Greek letter designations.  Alpha was first, then Beta. Delta widely seen in India and more than 80% of US cases, Lambda being widely seen in Texas was a variant first seen in Peru, Eta from Nigeria, Iota found in New York City and Eek a variant in Japan with possible implications for those who were Olympians there.  

Just this small number of variants is causing some consternation over the CDC guidance. It is not that they don’t know what they are doing; the wide variations in this virus’ presentation have not yielded definitive data on one medical thing which works to limit all of them. 

Given what is known, for those successfully vaccinated, the risk of terminal outcomes is diminished. It has been shown that even those vaccinated can contract and spread one of the variants though they are likely to personally get less sick with each encounter.  

Fingers crossed that this virus hasn’t already mutated to one resistant to the vaccines for then we are in deeper trouble than many would like to believe. 

For those who stand solely on their Constitutional rights to not be vaccinated, they are unwittingly placing their fellow humans at risk for annihilation. Truly this is raison d’être for realizing we are all our brothers/sisters' keepers whether or not we want to be. 

It should be clear to everyone that masks may be here to stay for a while.  Society and its work cannot be put on hold while the virus rages on waiting for cures being sought.  Life must go on with precautions less many are contaminated. Video games and school must teach us science to eliminate much of the ignorance being spawned. 

Those who do not wish to continue their jobs in fear of their personal safety must appreciate that doctors, nurses and front-line workers daily sacrifice their safety for our protection. Teachers who don’t want to teach in school and be so vaccinated,  nursing home workers who refuse to be vaccinated to care for the elderly,  military personnel must be required to be immunized as part of their standard employment operating procedures and others whose work forces them to more likely encounter those who are infected --  should be vaccinated. Failing to become vaccinated, those who then become ill in the course of their employment may find themselves exempt from unemployment benefits as should those who will not work. The right to sue when infected thinking it was someone’s failure to protect them rather than the reality of living in an uncertain world should be limited, as should the blanket immunity for drug companies so to be limited given the potential profit they are making.   

My nine-year-old grandson says don’t make a joke about this virus. If you yawn if the virus is floating close to your face, the virus can come in your mouth and your uncovered nose or any exposed hole in your body may be a source of entrance.    

The cost of this pandemic is bankrupting nations. Is it reasonable to give stimulus money to those who will not get vaccinated?  We must help and protect ourselves in order to do the same for others.  It is unreasonable to believe that the government should continue to bail us out for acts of nature and G-d. In this appreciation a new normal will exist.   

DR. ADA M. FISHER IS A PHYSICIAN WHO WAS A MEDICAL DIRECTOR IN A FORTUNE 500 COMPANY, PREVIOUS MEMBER OF A COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION, LICENSED SECONDARY EDUCATION TEACHER, AUTHOR, POET, GIFTED PUBLIC SPEAKER AND WAS THE NC REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEEWOMAN (2012-2020).