There was a lot we didn’t know when the covid pandemic began its ravages in China then Italy and Iran in the first weeks of 2020. We learned enough quickly enough to know that it was a potentially catastrophic pandemic, as the president and other government officials were briefed at the time, blanching in the process.
We missed many steps. Preparation was dismal. The management of the three subsequent waves wasn’t better from a national perspective, even if there were a few relative state and local successes. The United States took on Covid like Howdy Doody taking on a Cat 5 hurricane. That’s why we’re mourning a year-long death toll that exceeds the Civil War’s.
But one of the immense successes was the vaccine. If Donald Trump got everything else wrong, he got that one right from the start. Even he knew it was the most effective guard against the virus and the best bet to keep society going. In vaccine terms, getting it done in nine months was little short of miraculous. It was the fastest-developed vaccine in history. That some of its versions are close to unfailing is even more remarkable.
Here we are 18 months later. We now know a lot more about Covid, which is also the single-most studied pathogen in the history of the world. Because of the intense study and the flood of papers about it every week, there’s been contradictions and confusion. That’s normal. It’s part of the scientific method. The occasional confusion has allowed people of bad faith to cherry-pick a study here, a paragraph there, to make cynical assumptions and flood social mierda with viral disinformation. It hasn’t helped that the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control have issued at times conflicting messages and that the CDC was prey to political rather than scientific controls, or that this has continued to be a pandemic managed by 50 states instead of more centrally, like the war that it is.
Still, there’s also been irrefutable consensus about what works. Disinformation aside, we know that masks and distancing work. They don’t stop the spread but they reduce it significantly. We know that vaccines work. Again, they’re not perfect, some of them are less effective than others, especially against variants, but they still work to keep most people from getting badly sick or from dying. And we know that to prevent covid from continuing to mutate and control us, more than 80 percent of the total population must be vaccinated.
We’re not even at 50 percent. Not in the US, not in Florida, and just barely past that in Flagler. Authorities can jigger the numbers to exclude those under 18 all they want, they can also, as DeSantis is doing, hide the figures in Florida to pretend that things aren’t as bad as they are. But we’re not at herd immunity. This fourth wave proves it, and it is overwhelming hospitals again, especially in Florida.
The difference this time is that this fourth wave was preventable. Entirely preventable. We had the knowledge and the tools to prevent it. Some of us chose to let it happen. We know who you are. You are the TV and radio loud-mouths who fabricate false-flag conspiracies about the vaccine. You are the Republican politicians who continue to legitimize those messages or who, like our own governor, are busier punning slanders of Anthony Fauci than caring for Florida’s runaway infections his recklessness powered.
You are the local elected Republicans, some of you on local commissions, for instance, who–unlike Bunnell’s John Rogers, who described his covid ordeal on the radio this morning and publicly regretted not getting vaccinated–have had covid but refuse to say so out of cowardice, who say not a word about the vaccine’s importance. But you’ll still give us those blathering prayers for the dead at the beginning of your meetings instead of at least using your pulpit and adding a plea to get vaccinated to prevent some of these deaths. And you are the thousands and millions of people who continue to refuse to be vaccinated, to equate your liberty with your freedom to poison, and to proudly, glibly do so with the Constitution in one hand and a scythe in the other.
Sure there are those who have a legitimate reason not to be vaccinated. They are the vulnerable the herd must protect. And they should be respected. But that’s the 10, the 15 percent at most. Not the 50 percent.
So this fourth wave, these new restrictions, these real constraints on our freedoms, these hospitalizations, these grave illnesses and renewed scrolls of deaths: This is on you, the militantly unvaccinated, the disinformant, the virus’s collaborator. We know this now. The evidence doesn’t lie, though you still do. You are all in your own way knowing, malicious, criminals against humanity. You, who get to live so others may die, are the sleaziest generation.
Pierre Tristam is FlaglerLive’s editor. Reach him by email here. A version of this piece aired on WNZF.
TheTruth says
A lot of it has to do with the uneducated… and Lord knows there are plenty in Flagler County. It is the reason we have a worst-case scenario governor who enjoys tooting his own horn to the brays and catcalls of science. Other states are astounded by our lack of action and callous disregard for the general well-being of others.
For those who want to naysay and eye-roll, look up the latest reliable chart regarding Covid cases in Florida. We are on the upswing and it is a steep incline relative to others. True, deaths are down thanks to the very Science that the uneducated anti-Fauci population derides. But the lackadaisical dismissal of a variant that is far from over should make any citizen err on the side of safety and extreme caution.
WellSaid👆🏻 says
I was about to go on my own tirade about the uneducated but you summed it up nicely. 😁👍.
Vaxxed and masked — hasn’t hurt me yet, in fact I’m living and loving life.
Trailer Bob says
Not a big Fauci fan, but certainly a fan of the scientist’s who actually concocted the vaccine in warp speed.
Bill C says
The scientist credited with inventing the Moderna/Pfizer vaccines is Kizzy Corbett, and she had been studying corona viruses for six years prior to the Covid 19 outbreak.
bob says
Thank You Pierre !
Steve says
Yeah watch them drive with their Trump Regalia, fostering the Big Lies one of which is their FREEDUMB as the Dude puts it.” I want my life back” but cant succumb to the Truth over Stupidity.Vaccines and Masks work. Standing on the corners waving yelling and drawing attention to what most already know, imbeciles. Its the Boomers in all their righteous Glory who blew it in the 60s and are back at it again showing only self counts versus All for One, One for All. Sad to say but many should be acquainted up close and personal to Delta a wake up call. Coming from the Greatest Generation ever one would think they knew better. Obviously to me not a caring bone in their being. No wonder our Generation of which I am at the tailend is the laughing Stock of the World . What a Legacy. Go get another tattoo, earing,and pull your bald head into a ponytail Fake clueless hipster wannabes.
Trailer Bob says
Steve, the Greatest Generation Ever, at least in the past, was referring to the baby boomers parents.
Us…not so much…lol
Steve says
yeah that’s what I said the product of the greatest Gen. thank you
Denali says
Now there you go using that broad brush to paint an entire generation when in all honesty the folks you are calling out here are the minority of the Boomers. According to the best numbers I can dig up right now, 77% of the 65 – 74 year olds (Boomers) in Florida have received the vaccine. While I do not disagree with much of your rant, I will ask you not to lump us all together. Those folks you describe do not represent an entire generation.
“We” were in Chicago during August of ’68; at Columbia later that fall, Max Yazgur’s place in ’69; showed up in DC for the Moratoriums in October and November of ’69, lost friends in Ohio in May of ’70, fought Nixon every step and elected Carter. Reagan divided us and Clinton was on a path to bring us back together until he lied to us. But my friend, “we” have continued for 50 years to fight for social justice and the rights of others.
As for the Greatest Generation, they brought smallpox to its knees and by dragging us to the school gym on Saturday mornings for a piece of sugar or a shot helped wipe polio from the earth. I do wish that people today could learn from those lessons.
Dale L says
Well written; I could not have done better. Still, it is time for everyone, who is eligible, to get vaccinated. The alternative is to continue the pandemic until every unvaccinated person has gotten this disease.
I Just Love Flagler Beach says
Totally agree with Denali.
OMG Steve you are disparaging an entire generation because of a few a**holes. There are a lot of Baby Boomers here in Flagler Beach that are definitely not what you describe. And I happen to be one of them and I take extreme exception to your portrayal of us.
Nevertheless, the few a**holes that you are speaking of I too find extremely offensive and pathetic.
Nanci M Whitley says
Thank you.
Cary says
Remember Liberals… It was President Donald J. Trump that got the vaccine for you. He is da’man. He will be back in 2024 so vote for him.
Carol says
Scientists and researchers got us the vaccine. Donald J. Trump, da’moron, was suggesting Clorox and lights in our orifices. Hopefully 2024 will see him in jail, but I have lost faith in our justice department. He will slither through the legal system using his own snake oil, but I still have faith in the majority of the people to make sure that his political pull is gone. Wake up America!
joey says
He pushed to get the vaccine that everyone said it couldn’t be done. Its a fact everyone (not most everyone) said it’s impossible to do this in less than a year. He did it and everyone know’s it. Anyone else would still be sitting there with there thumb up there ass trying to figure what to do. He saved millions of lives lucky he was there to do it. There words you cant get a vaccine in less than 5 years it;s never happened. So imagine the people lost in 5 years it would be millions. You might even try Clorox (if you could buy it) when days turn into months which turn into years with no end in sight. Get a grip those assholes can’t figure out what to do other than the cookies to eat at bedtime.
flatsflyer says
Trump spent more time on his golf courses and pardoning criminals than he spent on solutions to the virus and other issues facing us. Trump by any meaningful analysis was the worst President ever. Time to move on and forget about this Trump stain on our history and our country. I will say one thing, I wake up everyday hoping to see the news reports of him being dying or at least being arrested, convicted and living in Levinsworth.
Dale L says
And yet it is the Trump supporters who do not want to end the pandemic. It is mostly Trump supporters who refuse to take a COVID vaccine. The death rate from COVID on average is only about 0.5% of those adults infected (1/200). However, that means in Florida at the level of vaccinations between Republicans and Democrats, that the Republican Party (Trump) will loose a little over 2,000 more voters to COVID than the Democrats. As to who to vote for, as an American, I will vote for those who support truth, honesty, the rule of law and democracy. I would vote for Liz Cheney before the man who tried to stay in power by a coup d’etat.
marlee says
Cary
Then WHY isn’t trump’s Fan Club getting vaccinated?????????????????
Makeitso1701 says
OMG, I laughed so hard when I read your post. the trumpster got the vaccine for us? Really? He didn’t know what the F he was doing, besides telling people to ingest bleach or some shit like that. That’s why so many people died of covid-19. Worst president in the history of the USA.
Hopefully in 2024 he’ll be in prison.
Grandma says
Don’t blame the republicans. We have an idiot in the White House that insist everyone get vaccinated but yet opened our borders and let everything in and could care less. It’s our right not to get vaccinated if we don’t want it. If the vaccine works so well then we shouldn’t have to worry if we have it. Why don’t you do real reporting and get your facts straight.
Pierre Tristam says
Grandma—or Granma, as the case may be—while I appreciate that your handle mirrors the name of the official newspaper of the Cuban communist party, which gets its accuracy standards from El Norte’s Fox and friends, the border is not open, nor is it about to get opened. As the Times just reported, “The United States will keep its land borders with Mexico and Canada closed for all nonessential travel for at least another month, the Department of Homeland Security said on Wednesday, extending the travel restrictions just days after Canadian officials announced they would soon reopen to U.S. travelers.”
lamo says
Soo do tell us what happens, when they climb the wall Pierre???
Cary says
So you want to bring Cuba into this? The Cuba people want freedom but Biden will turn them away yet allow hundreds of thousands fro other countries cross into Texas. Most Cubans will vote REPUBLICAN so they are no use to the BIDEN clan.
Fredrick says
Yes the Pierre official border crossing are closed. and you know damn well what the poster was saying. It is dishonest of you not to even admit that. Are you so biased that you can not even to acknowledge the extent that this administration has left people pour into the country illegally, housed many of them better than we do our own homeless. I am not asking you to convert to the other side but just admit the truth. You can do it. You are not a stupid man.
Steve says
might want to look in the mirror on that comment
David says
Give up trying to correct Grandma’s obvious lies. Her “truth” come from the right wing echo chamber. She’s nothing more than a cult member, regurgitating lies that have been substituted, in her mind, for the obvious truth the border can in no way be described as open.
flatsflyer says
You a little short sighted, if you truly believe you have the right to control your body why aren’t you on the street corners supporting Abortion? I’ll tell you reason, the Prosperity Preachers and the Fox News idiots have truly brain washed you.
BillyBatts says
There are two bodies when discussing abortion, only one when discussing vaccination. Tough concept to get, I understand.
Tina says
You are clueless
jake says
Stop with the bullshit, if you are not vaccinated, this it all on you. Doesn’t matter what political party you belong too, if you are a “non-vaxer” and you get sick and die, it’s on YOU. Biden is an asshole, as was Trump, but I’m vaccinated to save my ass, not yours. Get it done, or STFU.
Local says
Trump tried to close the borders but Pelosi called him racist and told the Chinese to not be afraid of the virus and celebrate their new year…it’s on her and fauxchi
The Voice Of Reason says
Our Gov is an arrogant, hyper partisan moron. The numbers don’t lie. We easily lead the nation in cases. And we’re not counting non-residents/tourists. He cares about tourism dollars more than he does about the health and life of Florida’s citizens and visitors. Soon, our children will be going to school unvaccinated and desantis is doing all he can to make sure masks won’t be mandated. Blood will be on his hands as it has been during this pandemic. There will be a special place in hell for this lying cruel hypocrite. The republican party think he’s wonderful. It shows what a smelly, burning dumpster fire of a failed party they are.
BillyBatts says
Are you sure our governor is the moron? Let’s play a game of who said it. “And the question is whether or not we should be in a position where are why can’t the experts say we know that this virus is in fact its going to be our excuse we know why the all the drugs approved are not temporarily approved and but permanently approved, that’s underway too.” Got any guesses?
Pierre Tristam says
BillyBatts of course is playing a game of intellectual dishonesty, removing Biden’s quote not only from its context, but also removing its punctuation, to make him look like a moron, as one could even with Stephen Hawking using the same sleazy technique. And this from a commenter who in another attempt at commenting, unapproved for being equally dishonest in other parts, claims “You can have an actual conversation with a Trumper but a woke white liberal? Good luck keeping the convo on the rails.” (That’s woke Arab liberal to you, incidentally.) Here’s the exchange with CNN’s Lemon in fuller context, with punctuation. Not Kennedyesque eloquence, but not Batty, either:
MR. LEMON: Well, let me ask — let me follow up on her question, asking: When will children under 12 be able to get vaccinated?
THE PRESIDENT: Soon, I believe. Now, look, one of the things that I committed to do when I got elected — I said —
MR. LEMON: How soon is “soon,” Mr. President? Not to —
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I — and let me he- — let me finish the question — the answer. “Soon” in the sense that I do not tell any scientists what they should do. I do not interfere. (Applause.)
And so they are doing — they are doing the examinations now — the testing now, and making the decision now. When they are ready, when they’ve done all the scientific need to be done to determine children at ages 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, they, in fact, are — all have different makeups. They’re developing. They’re trying to figure out whether or not there’s a vaccination that would affect one child that’s at such and such an age and not another child. That’s underway.
Just like the other question, there’s a logical — and I’ve heard you speak about it because you always — I’m not being solicitous, but you — you’re always straight up about what you’re doing.
And the question is whether or not we should be in a position where you are — why can’t the — the — the experts say, “We know that this virus is, in fact — it’s going to be…” — or, excuse me — “We know why all the drugs approved are not temporarily approved, but permanently approved.” That’s underway too. I expect that to occur quickly.
(Don’t play your games here, Batty.)
Robin says
Well said. Question for those who question science: who do you want doing your next surgery or colonoscopy? A trained surgeon or someone with no medical training?
I know who I’d prefer.
Dennis says
People don’t trust the government is the main reason not to get vaccinated. They lie, cheat, and do not represent the people who put them in office. The democrats want socialism and total control of out lives. America has lost its way and the trust of the American voter. They elected an old man president who does not have his facilities. Hard to trust someone like Joe who lies like a drunken sailor and is confused about almost everything. Trust me, a total joke.
Motherworry says
“Joe who lies like a drunken sailor”?? As opposed to trump? You lost all credibility with that one.
If folks don’t want to get vaccinated fine with me. I’ll wear a mask until all these idiots are in the ground. While we are at it, if you refuse to get a vaccination and get self induced covid stay the heck out of the hospital. Somebody who is legit ably sick or injured needs the bed.
Trina says
Absolutely right!
Dale L says
Dennis, the Federal government, under Donald J. Trump, funded operation Warp Speed. The government did NOT develop the vaccines. That was done by private companies. After reviewing the data, presented by the private companies, the government (FDA) authorized their use. Millions of Americans have received the vaccines. The vaccines have proven to be both safe and effective. It is true that in 2016, the American voters elected Presidential Electors (304 to 227) who chose an old man as President who does not have all his facilities. However, 2020 the Presidential Electors (306 to 232) chose a competent old man. Finally, Dennis, I do not trust you because you back a dishonest man. A man who cheated on every one of his wives and is twice divorced. A man who promised over and over to: release his tax returns, have a better health care plan than the ACA, to put America First, etc.
Mike Cocchiola says
DeSantis and other Republican governors are willing to risk our lives and see more deaths for political reasons. Yes, their rhetoric is killing people, but it scores points among the conservative base. And to the base, my death and their deaths are acceptable prices of their war against science and godless communism and their unflagging belief in The Big Lie.
dowm so says
wow mike, if we had no republican’s we would have been over covid long ago. so happy that the author makes this a red vs blue issue. remember no dem has caught covid based on their respect and regard for human life and communism. defund the police and open the borders go baby dems
fyi – how are the TX dems doing who ran away from their jobs mask less on the planes which was and is illegal for every US citizen except I guess dems
Optimist Prime says
Lol, because they were all vaccinated. And according to recent the CDC rule changes, weren’t required to wear a mask.
jake says
If you haven’t received the vaccine, it’s because you chose not to get it. For the 1% who can’t, or shouldn’t take it for medical reasons, I sympathize with you. For those who didn’t, and clearly those currently most affected by the delta variant, shame on you. Or as I like to think of it, “thinning the herd” comes to mind. The less stupid people around me, the better.
Vincent says
The only problem with thinning the herd this way is innocent people are brought along to die. That is the legacy of these ignorant, delusional losers who put their selfish wants ahead of the country – just like they did on January 6th. Here’s hoping this miserable lot is forever banished to the political wilderness in the future, and the culture moves toward seeing them for the self-centered people they are. And let history brand them.
marlee says
Iowa might have to throw out tens of thousands of doses of coronavirus vaccine over the next six weeks unless public demand for the shots rebounds.
Florida Girl says
I did not know that about Governor DeSantis. I was always of the opinion, if they lie small, they will lie big. This was a good read, you delivered the “punch” AND that last line is factual to me. Thanks Pierre.
Rich Santomassino says
As a healthcare professional for over 30 years I seldom had sick patients that would not take their medicine. Smallpox and polio would still be infecting the world’s residents if people had taken this route that the anti-vaxxers are taking. It is stupidity taken to a new level.
I am out of compassion for these people. Take your shot (s) or end up in the ICU on a ventilator. What is so complicated here?
shyguy says
The governor owns this and should be held accountable.
Trailer Bob says
Why does the Governor own this? People should be smart enough to figure this out on their own. There is plenty of good info out there to help people make the right decision for themselves. I never let one person tell me what I should do. Study the facts and take the course you think is best. I can’t believe how many people are blaming others for their decision.
I got the vaccine…end of drama.
justbob says
The unvaccinated are becoming society’s pariahs, a stain on decency and history will judge them harshly.
Joseph Chisholm says
Pierre once again you speak in half truths. When you say that 80 percent of the population needs to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity that is not true! 80 percent need to be immune to the disease. that can be achieved thru immunization as well as with people who have already been affected and we are rapidly approaching that number. You also said it is the evil Republicans that are the anti-vaxxers but a recent study by the Kaiser Inst.(no right wing org. I might add) found that black and hispanics as well as young people ( 18 to 29) all left leaning demo’s make up about half of the unvaccinated in the country. Please try to be a little more honest in your reporting, this should not be a political issue but sadly everything is with you.
Pierre Tristam says
One of the most pernicious weapons of disinformation is the aggrieved contrarian who cites facts or studies as proof that he’s Delphi and we’re Jon Lovitzes. Chisholm chooses to, as I mentioned in the column, cherry-pick and massage the numbers to fit his contortions. Let’s put this in terms easy to understand, as the Voice of America itself—one-time paragon of reactionary America, Fox before Fox, the CIA of the airwaves in our youth—put it, regarding that “left-leaning” Kaiser poll: “Only 14% of Americans say they will definitely not get vaccinated. But this group is 69% white, compared with 7% Black and 12% Hispanic. Republicans make up 58% of this group, while Democrats account for 18%.” As for the herd immunity bit, look out your window, look into any Florida ER, any hospital, now more overwhelmed than in any previous wave. Are we there yet? And if you’re implying that this wave’s infections is the way to go to get there—which you are—read the first clause of my column’s last sentence. It’s for you.
God Bless America says
More of your GARBAGE TALK , Pierre. We the People are sick and tired of you foreigners coming here to America and do NOTHING but try and destroy her. 2024 will be America’s 250 year Birthday. I , like many true Americans are going to make sure Lady Liberty gets to wear her BEST RED, WHITE, and BLUE dress for the celebration. You can join those other foreign “America Haters”, AOC and her “squad of Squids and complain and HATE. And in your case, spread more Marxist ideology .
Pierre Tristam says
The gem of the day. I would point out, however, that America isn’t a she. Our own (I’m sorry, your own, since I obviously don’t qualify as one of you) motto refers to America, with visionary transgender or asexual foresight, as they. You know, e pluribus bla bla bla. But who am I to argue with you unum. God bless.
JLS says
Fear disguises itself as hate. I can’t imagine living in fear this deep. I am sorry for the commenter.
Steve says
What a gutless piece of …. The low class low life mentality in Flagler is disgusting.
Denali says
So when did you family come to this country? Were they persecuted by people like you because they were ‘different’? So what makes you think that your minority viewpoint reflects the true beliefs of ‘we the people’? HINT – at last best count, you might represent 20% of the population (and that is being generous). Please do us all a favor and crawl back under that rock from whence you came.
MMCS(SS/DV) says
Do the math . . . Bicentennial was 1976 . . . 250 would be 2026, not 2024. You cast a deathly pall on true Americans with your pseudo patriotism.
From a true Squid . . . Bubblehead since 1974.
20+ years service in America’s Submarine Force.
Dale L says
To “God Bless America”: I have an ancestor who arrived with John Winthrop in 1630. I have ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary war. There is a statue in my birth town to a hero of the Civil War and became mayor of my town. His army defeated a larger secessionist army in the battle of Pea Ridge in Arkansas. So between my family history and where I grew up, I guess I’m about as American as they come. True Americans go about their business, love their family, vote for honesty & country over party, pay their taxes, and step up and get vaccinated. (Lady Liberty is gift from France.)
Jane Gentile-Youd says
Oh Dale L… thank you for your post.. ‘Honesty and Country over party’.. True Americans are expected to protect our neighbors….
Trina says
Your comments are assinine.
Trina says
Thank you! I love your column and how well informed and truthful your reporting is.
Trailer Bob says
I did not get the vaccine at first, also as a caution to my health, as it was new and I am not likely to get the virus anyway, as I have not been sick since I was 25 years old. Call it very good genes, or whatever. But I am not stupid, nor do I wish to get very sick or die.
I also don’t find it cool, should I get the virus, to give it to someone else and watch them die.
SO…When the latest variant came out, I read up on it, studied it, and told my wife that it was time to stop pushing it and get the vaccine…this would be the worst variant yet to come.
I am sharing this because I AM a conservative Republican, I do not believe in over medicating, and I took some time to follow what was happening with this virus.
So, at some point it is no longer political, or whatever you want to call it…
If you like living and you do have half a brain, I believe there is enough statistics and records to justify getting vaccinated. If you don’t want to, that is your choice, but wanting to be a tough guy during a pandemic is not being so tough, but rather, I believe, a danger to others. So yes…I sucked up to logic when I decided it was time…
I have strong beliefs, just like others. One of those beliefs is that living is a lot more important than pretty much everything else.
Steve says
Great comment TB
Roy Longo says
Bob, your statement is the exact path I followed, although I lean partly left, partly right. I didn’t get the vaccine for many of the same reasons until this new variant started sweeping through Florida. I received my first shot two days ago.
Katrina says
Polio? Don’t have it? Because the vaccine worked! I saw an interview with a woman who said that she would choose death over the vaccine. ???? I don’t think that’s a lack of education. Willful ignorance is another pandemic in this country.
Private companies café right not to employ people who use drugs or spread diseases. The NFL made a bold move. It would be nice to see more organizations follow suit.
Unfortunately, we have a governor that supports irresponsibility and the right of non-vaccinators To put other peoples’ health at risk.
JB says
If you got your vaccination, how are non-vaccinated people putting you at risk? You got your shot, you should be good right?
Pierre Tristam says
JB has posed the same question to about half a dozen commenters here, including to me. It’s a reasonable question on its face but in reality it isn’t. The reasonableness is deceptive. It takes its source from the same self-absorbed, community-defying cynicism that told people fearful of catching the disease in pre-vaccine days to stay home rather than require everyone to wear masks or practice other socially responsible safety measures. So the approach has now been inverted in JB’s question, again cleverly shifting the blame or onus to the vaccinated, as if their shot also must serve to silence them about imposing further safety measures (or urge vaccination) on others, once again indemnifying the unvaccinated of responsibility under the falsely applied “my body my choice” doctrine.
Falsely, because if you as an individual chooses to expose yourself to harm, you are inherently exposing others to harm as well, and that’s not your right. Not morally, anyway, and not even under any libertarian doctrine, properly understood. The closest doctrine that applies to you would be a form of anarchism, or the nihilistic ethos of the suicide bomber. It is anyone’s right, the vaccinated especially, to criticize, condemn or oppose that ethos.
But even going beyond the immorality of it, or the theory of it (liberals do have an insufferable tendency these days to focus more on theory than pragmatism, that’s why they have trouble getting things done), there’s also the fact that not all the unvaccinated are irresponsible walking poison. There is a sizable proportion of people (that 10 to 15 percent mentioned in the article) who for one reason or another have legitimate reasons not to be vaccinated, and some of them can’t be vaccinated for medical reasons. I’ll give you a real example: a very prominent physician friend of mine who works in this community, essentially at ground zero of the epidemic, treating literally thousands of covid patients, cannot get vaccinated for physiological reasons. So he is permanently at risk of infection and grave illness. He survived the first three waves unscathed. He may not be so lucky with the delta variant. The variant would have been a non-issue had we reached herd immunity by now, because variants simply can’t propagate effectively in a rarefied pool. That’s what herd immunity means. That’s why anti-vaxxers in pre-covid days had the luxury of going without the usual standard vaccines: because the rest of us responsible people were protecting the assholes from themselves. It’s what we do as responsible communities. It would’ve meant that had the covid generation not been so rich in selfish little fuckers, that physician would’ve been protected and would not have had to work every shift saving covid patients’ asses by the dozens while watching Damocles’ sword tease him. It means we wouldn’t be fighting this fourth wave.
Finally, there’s the narrow-mindedness of seeing the vaccine, and the vaccinated, as benefiting only the individual. But that’s not how we roll, is it? Not if you believe in keeping the economy open, society normal, schools and universities unrestricted, courts and governments functioning properly. We get vaccinated not just for our own sake but to do our part in the community as a whole, to protect against further closures, further wrenches in the normal functions of society. And we damn well do have a right, as vaccinated people, to be resentful, angry and accusing of those who are not doing their part—and such a small goddamn part it is—and who instead are forcing, literally forcing our communities to keep living the alternate reality of the past 18 months. It’s not just your self-absorbed life that’s at stake, it’s our entire community’s well being. We have a right to that well being. You do not have a right to deny it. But that’s what you’re doing by posing your question, that question, so seemingly reasonable on its face, that is in fact an onion peel of narrow thinking and disingenuous cynicism.
Deconstructing it is worth it, because letting you deconstruct our communities is not.
JB says
Thank you for allowing my question to be posted. I would have liked a more reasonable answer, maybe a good debate on the subject. Instead you called me and people like me an irresponsible, self absorbed anarchist. I believe you called me an asshole too. You brought up a friend of yours who has a struggle with this, I have two friends who have been vaccinated who now have mysterious heart issues, when heart issues did not exist before. So again, if you believe the vaccination works well, you should be fine while I put myself at risk. We are not assholes for not wanting to put an experimental poison in our bodies, I believe instead that we are critical thinkers. Maybe someone else has a good answer without mudslinging?
Ramone says
This is the truth that Pierre doesn’t like to mention. You see “proven safe and effective” all the time when it comes to the vaccine. But because the clinical trials are years from being completed. They truly have no idea what the long term effects are.
I reluctantly took the vaccine.
Ultimately it’s a gamble. Am I safer getting the vaccine in the short term while possibly exposing myself to long term harm? This is a completely legitimate question. People should not be called assholes because they don’t trust a hastily thrown together vaccine.
Pierre Tristam says
Who wouldn’t put one’s life in danger to save others? The vaccine’s feared long-term risk is infinitesimal, if even credible. Right now it’s imagined. Its immediate life-saving benefits are not. They are measured in the millions of lives. It’s not a gamble. Seeing it as a gamble cheapens human life to a selfish risk-benefit analysis in which you alone matter. You alone do not. We all do, yourself included. As wars go, this is a pretty insignificant risk to take in sight of killing fields reaching genocidal proportions. But you took it. Thank you.
Mark says
Yes except that the vaccine is not an experimental poison. It is a tested and safe vaccine. That is facts , you speak of falsehoods as if they are facts and you are not.
Cary says
Bingo. Don’t listen to Pierre. He does not know what he is talking about. Just pushing liberal brain wash.
Trina says
No. Not right. Read up on the facts
Shelley says
This is not like the polio vaccine which actually worked towards eradicating the disease. Unfortunately the oral form did cause a percentage of people to get the virus but luckily the switch to a “dead” vaccine in the 90s stopped that. This is like the flu shot snd should just be named the COVID shot since many people are still contracting COVID, even after receiving this shot. Some people have died of COVID even after the shot. Yes maybe some have had lighter cases, but no one gets a light case of polio, after the vaccine. There is talk of yearly boosters so again think of the flu again.
Dale L says
Shelly: The basic principle behind all vaccines is the same. They are meant to train a person’s immune system to recognize and be ready to fight back if the person contracts a disease. There is great confusion right now on what constitutes contracting COVID. A positive test indicates that a person has been infected. It does not indicate anything more. What changes is the degree to which a person is likely to become sick and how sick. You are also wrong about polio. Most children who contracted polio were not seriously affected. Most had “light” cases. The polio vaccines eliminated nearly all asymptomatic spread and without enough suitable hosts the disease died out in America.
Charlie Ericksen Jr says
Remember the original Polio shot, which was found to be bad , requiring all to be re-done with a new vaccine.. But we all got through it and went on with our lives.. Polio, was not the ” killer” like COVID.. It did though create quite a challenge with mobility.
Dale L says
Charlie, in the 1952 polio outbreak over 3,000 people, mostly children died. Over 20,000 were seriously disabled. The original Salk vaccine (the shot) worked. The sugar cube vaccine, Sabin vaccine, contained a live attenuated version of the virus.
Sherry says
An excellent article of TRUTH. . . based on scientifically proven FACTS! Congratulations Pierre!
Also an excellent comment from The Truth.
Those who continue to put us ALL at a higher risk of “UNNECESSARY” pain, suffering, death, unemployment and financial loss merely due to their selfish stubborn refusal to care for the well being of other human beings should be held up to ridicule and shunned from all “civilized” society. Over 600,000 dead! Scientific evidence “published daily” proving the vaccines to be very highly effective! ENOUGH!
ENOUGH of the brainwashed, mindless CULT!
Right says
How many of those hospitalized are vaccinated versus unvaccinated? That would be a real story to delve into.
FlaglerLive says
This is direct from an internal communication at the systemwide AdventHealth network: “Across AdventHealth’s 41 hospitals in seven states, approximately 95% of 12,700 COVID-19 patients treated this year were unvaccinated or partially vaccinated. Fortunately, the current vaccines appear to ameliorate the severity of the disease, as we have not seen many hospitalizations in the vaccinated population.”
mark101 says
Well I can tell you for fact, its not only the Republicans that refuse the vaccine but Democrats as well. So get off the ANTI Republican crap. I still waiting for the person I voted for in the White House to do something, he’s like the other nut, no GOVT stance from the top position on mandates for mask. Herd Immunity is 70%, hard to get that when people don’t trust the medicine. I like the women on CHL 6 news Thursday night. She and her whole family of 8, refused to get the vaccine. The all caught covid. She however ended up thinking she was going to die in the hospital, 9 days in the hospital , 6 and of those in ICU. . She is now wearing a oxen tube stuck up her nose. Her comments , ” Just that it had not been around long. Honestly, I think I listened. I think I let people influence me, like saying, ‘Oh, you know, this is the government just trying to fill our bodies with stuff and they’re trying to push this shot on us,’” Starling said.”
Get the darn shot. And maybe you might save yourself, or your children, your grandparents or a friend.
Sherry says
@ Mark101. . .
AGAIN. . . Kaiser poll: “Only 14% of Americans say they will definitely not get vaccinated. But this group is 69% white, compared with 7% Black and 12% Hispanic. Republicans make up 58% of this group, while Democrats account for 18%.”
However, not all Republicans are refusing the vaccine. . . mostly those who are members of the brainwashed CULT.
There are many who have done their research (like Trailer Bob) and understand that if you choose to set your house on fire, it’s OK as long as you don’t risk the houses of your neighbors or the embers blowing into the woods and burning thousands of houses and killing people. Unless you live alone on a sovereign island, you have a responsibility for the well being of those around you.
If you choose to endanger us UNNECESSARILY, “YOU” are a Pariah!
Sherry says
De Santis is choosing to continue the cut back on the frequency of reporting Covid information from daily to weekly. Just like his lord and master who wanted to cut the number testing positive by cutting the testing.
This just in from the Associated Press:
When Florida changed the frequency of its virus reporting earlier this month, officials said it made sense given the decreasing number of cases and the increasing number of people being vaccinated.
Cases started soaring soon after, and Florida earlier this week made up up one-fifth of the country’s new coronavirus infections. As a result, Florida’s weekly releases — typically done on Friday afternoons — have consequences for the country’s understanding of the current summer surge, with no statewide COVID stats coming out of the virus hotspot for six days a week.
In Florida’s last two weekly reports, the number of new cases shot up from 23,000 to 45,000 and then 73,000 on Friday, an average of more than 10,000 day. Hospitals are starting to run out of space in parts of the state.
With cases rising, Democrats and other critics have urged state officials and Gov. Ron DeSantis to resume daily outbreak updates.
“There was absolutely no reason to eliminate the daily updates beyond an effort to pretend like there are no updates,” said state Rep. Anna Eskamani, a Democrat from the Orlando area.
The trend of reducing data reporting has alarmed infectious disease specialists who believe that more information is better during a pandemic.
Mark says
When did DeSantis say “don’t get vaccinated”? When? So exercising your right to deal with your body the way you want to, as in abortions, makes you “sleazy”? This is a medical decision to be made by the individual. People are entitled to their opinion just as you are. They are capable of weighing the risks just as you are. If they want to justify their decision based on politics and false assumptions it is their choice. How about you give them information to change their mind. Aside form your misinformation. “we know that masks and distancing work. They don’t stop the spread but they reduce it significantly” maybe you could plush information to counter the so called disinformation. And yes , the government mixed messaging is a pain. But telling us we “must” do something against our will is not the way to win friends and enemies in America. We can always go to China or Russia if we want to live like that. I see they don’t have any additional waves of the virus coming. Their masks and distancing have stopped the virus dead in it’s tracks.
danm50 says
You can’t teach stupid
. Don’t marry your cousin
Willy James says
Those that deliberately refuse to get vaccinated show that they are not only ignorant but are also self-absorbed, self-centered, and selfish. It’s all about them. Of course, they draw their arguments from the thousands of self-proclaimed epidemiologists that spew their bullshit on social media as well as FOX news. And, let’s not forget that dumbass governor of ours. Desantis is more focused on a Whitehouse run than he is on properly governing the State. He must be very proud as the media points out that Floriduh is one of the top states breeding the COVID variant D. What an asshole!
Stephen Smith says
Get Vaccinated.
The life you save may be your own.
Ron says
So I am supposed to report to Jury duty tomorrow. Why would I what to enter a court room with unvaccinated people that do not give a crap who they infect. Why would Flagler County continue this activity in the height of a pandemic? St John’s county already canceled this activity.
Pierre Tristam says
Putnam, Volusia, St. John’s, all postponed. I asked the court administration this week whether trials are going forward. As of Friday, they were, surprisingly. But the judge had not probably seen the fact that Flagler recorded 400 cases this week, shattering all previous records. There are many trials on the docket, most of them one or two-day types. Assuming they still go forward (they’re reluctant not to when juries have been called), when you’re in the jury assembly room you’ll get an introductory welcome from Circuit Judge Perkins, and will get the chance to voice your concerns—or protest. Perkins isn’t interested in getting anyone sick, and knows the county’s demographics. It would be very surprising if the proceedings go forward without some changes, but it may depend on jurors themselves to let the court know. You’re in the driver’s seat on this one, not the court.
The dude says
If you want to be a low information, science hating rube and not get vaccinated to “own the libs” that’s on you if you get it and die.
But I gotta worry about your selfish ass walking around in public and possibly giving it to my 10 year old daughter, since she can’t get vaccinated.
The Voice Of Reason says
Well said. Also, school starts soon and the desantis’s and janet mcdonald’s of Florida want your child to go to school like a sitting duck amongst the maskless. I believe delta covid will have the last word on that.
Sherry says
Enough of the “mindless” anti- vaxers posting FOX/social media talking points comparing this situation to abortion rights.
“My” abortion does nothing to “you”. . . NOTHING! While your refusal to get vaccinated/wear a mask against an extremely “highly contagious and lethal” virus puts us ALL at much greater risk of pain, suffering, death, loss of jobs and loss of income, etc. etc. etc.
In addition, scientists are begging us to understand that those who remain un-vaccinated create fertile ground for the virus to mutate again and again, and quite possibly create more variants that are even more contagious and deadly. We need to wake up and join the battle against unnecessarily spreading a virus that is keeping us ALL from safely resuming our normal lives. THINK for yourselves, do your research of the scientific facts. Then, “do the rights thing” and get vaccinated. . . trump did. . . he was one of the first to do so.
What is it going to take for you to come back to reality. . . for the sake of us all?
Patricia Brooke says
You walk in. You give some medical and personal information. You get a tiny, thin, painless needle which vaccinates you against Covid 19. There is no microchip, no lurking device to track you by those nasty government people! You go back in a couple of weeks and do it again. You now have 95% (plus or minus) immunity against a deadly disease which if not deadly to you, might easily take out your elderly aunt that you hugged at the 4th of July get -together. How the hell is this attacking you or your rights as a citizen of the US? Jeebus, people. Get a grip. Get the damn vaccine!
Mark says
And exactly what medical side effects come with the vaccine? Do you know what it may do to a healthy 7 year old? Should your parents along with a doctor decide what is okay or some politician?
Dale L says
Mark, there are no COVID-19 vaccines currently approved for 7 year olds. The mRNA vaccines do not contain anything that is alive. The actual messenger RNA is encapsulated in a lipid coat which a person’s body cells take in as “food”. The mRNA then programs the production of the virus spike protein. The immune system first mounts a general response to this foreign protein which causes some pain and swelling. The mRNA quickly degrades and the production of the spike protein ends. However, the result is a trained immune system.
Rare side effects from the vaccine are not the direct result of the vaccine, but rather an excessive response by the person’s immune system. An actual infection by COVID is always going to be much worse than the vaccine. Also, Trump’s operation Warp speed resulted in many companies attempting to make effective safe vaccines for COVID. Most were not successful. The three which are approved for use are the best of the best.
Mark says
The vaccine is being used under an emergency approval. Why?
Each person is different. Each person will have a different reaction. Therefore it must be put through a risk analysis for each person. Should it be done through the media or through a doctor?
This is America the last I checked. It is a decision to be made by the individual or in the case of a minor, their parents and a doctor. Not by some government or media weeny.
Ray W. says
I know a 15-year-old woman who suffers long-haul balance problems arising from a Covid infection. Multiple medical treatments have brought no relief to her. Her doctors diagnosed a blood clot forming in one of the nerves in the balance centers in her ears. As of right now, it appears to be a permanent condition. She experienced this life-changing event prior to approval of the vaccines. I do not think anyone validly disputes the medical fact that one side-effect of a Covid infection is blood clots forming in one or more of the various bodily organs, most commonly in the lungs and brain of the infected.
I also know a 90-year-old woman who lost the majority of her sight in one eye two or three days after receiving the second dose of her vaccine. Her doctor brushed off the possibility that it occurred as a direct result of receiving the vaccine. After all, she is 90, an age when such events occur naturally and suddenly. But, the diagnosis is a blood clot in the optic nerve leading out of that eye. Some medical literature supports the argument that one side-effect of the vaccine can be blood clots, though the effect is relatively rare in occurrence.
I am reminded of my early childhood, when my mother marched the six of us (her seventh child had not yet been born) into the school lunchroom. I must have been the first in line as I recall hearing the nurse tell my mother that a number of children out of every 50,000 would die from receiving the vaccine (I recall the number as two, but this was almost 60 years ago). My internal reaction was to wonder if I would die from the shot. The nurse then said a much larger number of children would die if they didn’t receive the shot. My mother signed and I got the vaccine. My older brother remembers being in line in the lunchroom and receiving the shot, but he doesn’t remember the nurse’s comments, leading me to believe I was first in line and closest to the nurse.
I suppose all vaccines carry side effects, some worse than others. I recently finished reading a biography of John Adams, our second president. Prior to the Revolution, as a young father and husband, he wrote letters to various people describing the effects of receiving the cowpox vaccine, to hopes of warding off the possibility of contracting smallpox. British military doctors were recommending the practice, but it was still controversial. Adams wrote of his decision to take the vaccine first, in order to experience its effects prior to allowing his children to be vaccinated. The side effects were substantial and his recovery lengthy, but afterwards he deemed it important enough to expose his children to the vaccine. Smallpox was just too deadly throughout his community. Just how deadly does Covid have to be before its effects outweigh the possible side-effects of the vaccines? We know this version of Covid is deadly, so that is not in dispute. To some, and perhaps to many, Covid just is not deadly enough, yet.
Lil bird says
Drs don’t give you the chicken pox vaccine if you had chicken pox on your med chart and nobody pushes the flu shot in May AFTER flu season. If I already tested positive for COVID there’s no rational for the vaccine. Natural immunity (albeit with its sometimes grave risks) works but the risk often doesn’t exceed reward— that’s why pharmaceutical industries/governments make a vaccine R&D investment for some viruses and not others.
We also now have research that those who refuse to get any of the free and readily available COVID vaccines are more at risk of getting sick & dying than their unvaccinated peers. In other words, Natural selection is once again taking its course. Emotional & lengthy rants about selfishness or overt sordid generalizations about entire generations have no place in basic biology. Save those for psychology class (which the scientific community argues is no more a science than Dr Biden is an actual Dr) . This is Darwinian evolution on display; Plain and simple.
Our constitutional allowances in America are not always convenient and forcing one to “follow the science” is nowhere enshrined. Acknowledging such is perhaps the latest and greatest test of true tolerance.
Denali says
“We also now have research that those who refuse to get any of the free and readily available COVID vaccines are more at risk of getting sick & dying than their unvaccinated peers.”
Please explain this sentence. Thank you.
William Moya says
We’ll see where the virus will take us, so far it, it seems to have an excellent replicant ability, and if continuous in this trajectory this Fall, we should implement a mandatory Covid vaccination passport, but the Democrats are more worried about “unity”, “the temple of democracy”, “the institutions”, “the filibuster to keep us from chaos”. Pathetic.
Ray W. says
Like so many FlaglerLive posters, William Moya starts off strong with a good analysis of one possible progression of the disease. And then he veers off a cliff. The primary worry of the Democratic Party and many Democrats in general is the disease. In fact, a legitimate argument can be made and supported that Democrats are more worried about the disease than are a significant number of so-called conservatives. I suppose that it could be argued that people and parties are capable of worrying about more than one thing at a time, but one can seldom win an argument when, like William Moya, they argue with a losing point.
There is an old law school legal writing mantra. Tell them what you are about to tell them. Then tell them. Then tell them what you told them. That is why all legal briefs and motions start with an introductory clause, then follow with the main body of the brief or motion, and then a summary clause. But one should never veer away from the message, which in this case is the progression of a deadly disease.
I have to consider the possibility that William Moya, as he formed his comment, never wanted to send a strong message. After all, there is value inherent to some in talking to hear one’s head roar, and if muddled messaging is the price William Moya pays for that reward, however small, talking to hear his head roar just might be enough for him.
Jane says
Please don’t listen to politicians. The learned, the educated are doctors and scientists. We should be listening to them. They don’t need or want your votes. They want to save lives. Please heed their advise and warnings. Masks, social distancing and vaccinations aren’t a lot to ask. We can end this if we just LISTEN!!!
Dissapointed In Palm Coast says
I’m not sure which pandemic is worse, Covid 19 or the pandemic of misinformation, selfishness, and ignorance that has firmly gripped our nation. The science says that vaccines save lives (sometimes yours, sometimes your neighbors) and yet we’re too selfish, too cynical, too lost to do the right thing.
Pierre – I don’t always agree with your writings, but in this case you are 1000% spot on.
Shame on us… those we’ve lost since the vaccine’s release is blood on the hands of the unvaccinated.
down so says
I think I remember candidate K Harris say that she would not take a covid vaccine that was produced by the Us or trump admin- anybody recall that?
Ray W. says
Interesting distortion of the truth. She said if doctors were to recommend taking the vaccine, she will absolutely take it. She also said if Trump were to recommend taking the vaccine, she would question taking the vaccine. Of course, back then before the election, everyone knew Trump would never recommend taking the vaccine, because it would weaken his standing among his base.
Sherry says
Took me 30 second to look it up. . . actually Vice President Harris was “Right On” . . . we should not be taking medical advice from ANY politicians. . . here is the quote:
In September, Harris, then the Democratic Party’s vice-presidential candidate, hesitated when asked if she would take a vaccine that was approved before the election.
“I will say that I would not trust Donald Trump,” Harris said, “and it would have to be a credible source of information that talks about the efficacy and the reliability of whatever he’s talking about. I will not take his word for it.”
joey says
So than bidden and harris are pushing this. Its the same dam thing right?
Cary says
Vice pResident Kamala said “I will say that I would not trust Donald Trump, and it would have to be a credible source of information that talks about the efficacy and the reliability of whatever he’s talking about. I will not take his word for it.” What changed?