Lots of talk about vaccines this week. One of them, the Oxford Astra-Zeneca vaccine shows a tiny history of causing blood clots. Tiny - as in your chances are lower than being run over by a runaway lawn-mower.
Still, that’s resulted in the under 30s eventually being given a choice to take one of the other vaccines, should they wish.
And it is a choice, taking a vaccine. A number of people I know are hugely sceptical about its safety or its content and have already refused it. My sister is one of them, believing as she does, that this entire situation is a well-organised global hoax. I respect her quite remarkable faith in international relations.
Seriously though, I don’t want to judge anyone’s decision - especially my fellow believers. After all, we’re taught from a young age (well I was anyway) that one day here on Earth, everyone will be forced to serve a system that has set itself up against God. Loyalty to that system will require being marked on the right hand or forehead, and only those with the mark will be able to buy or sell. It’s not reversible. I understand why this looks the way it does.
With that context, the idea of anything bionic that’s implanted under the skin like a chip or a data card will seem suspicious to students of the book of Revelation. Throw in a smattering of YouTube videos on the subject and it’s easy to see where the thought leads.
I’m not here to get into theology by the way. It’s just context for understanding why some people are deeply suspicious of being inoculated, and what might come next.
The truth is that we all do get a choice. And it’s not my place to criticise a choice sincerely made with good intentions. I will be praying that God keeps my sister and her children safe though.
What I think I object to is the idea of vaccine passports - at least for entry into hospitality venues. If it’s a valid choice to refuse the vaccine, then it’s also discrimination to use that free choice to bar people from the pub. That’s a slope towards a country I don’t wish to live in.
However I also understand that we have to do all we can to keep people safe. That’s been the reason all along, for masks, for social distancing, for washing your hands for twenty seconds and yes, ultimately, for getting vaccinated. And I can see that vaccine passports could be a quick way to protect people from potential threat.
But the benefit doesn’t outweigh the cost. We all need to look after each other, vaccinated or not. I don’t agree that people should be punished for taking a principled stand, and I want to celebrate their right to do it. I don’t think those people should be banned from Tesco.
Anyway, I’ve not been offered my first dose yet. I think it’ll be another month, and there’s some uncertainty as to which vaccine it will be: the Oxford one seems to make people feel unwell for a while, the Pfizer one uses a slightly different method and the Moderna is only just being released into the population. I’d just like to get on with it.
Meanwhile, it’s best to keep up with the social distancing measures isn’t it. My sister and I disagree on almost everything to do with the virus, but I know I’d do every single thing I could to prevent her from contracting the disease she doesn’t believe in.
The Five Dates
Back to School Day: 0 days
Back to Sixes Day: 0 days
Haircut Day: 3 days
Big Travel Day: 38 days
Liberation Day: 73 days
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