It was routine to be vaccinated when I was school age.  As a globetrotter, I know that certain vaccines are mandatory for travel.  Result:  I haven’t suffered with any of the diseases for which I was vaccinated.

 

So, why are so many defiant on getting vaccinated now?  My conclusion is the plethora of misinformation on social media and the Internet.  This is the key difference.

 

I gave up Twitter months ago because I couldn’t stand the noise, the way people abused one another.  And now, more and more I’m seeing comments on LinkedIn and declarations of solidarity to not be vaccinated at all costs on Instagram.  It bothers me so I’m writing about it, getting the negativity out of my system.

 

I have concluded there is no reasoning with an anti-vaxxer.   I remind myself that each of us has a unique perspective, based on our social conditioning and how we filter information with our senses.  #letitbe

 

I recently saw a clip from the movie, The Green Mile.  It’s about how the lives of guards on Death Row are affected by one of their charges:  a black man accused of murder and rape, yet who has a mysterious gift.  It stars Tom Hanks as the Warden, Paul, and Michael Clarke Duncan as the prisoner, John.  Some of John’s words resonated with me.

 

John is on death row.  He is to die tomorrow.   Paul has developed an affection for John because of his gift.  I won’t tell you what it is in case you haven’t watched the movie.  If you haven’t, I would highly recommend it.

 

Paul:  “John, tell me what you want me to do.  Do you want me to take you out of here?  Just let you run away?  See how far you could get?”

 

John:  “Why would you do such a foolish thing?”

 

Paul:  “On the day of my judgment when I stand before God and he asks me why did I kill one of his true miracles, what am I going to say?  That it was my job?”

 

John:  “You tell God it was a kindness you’ve done.  I know you’re hurting Warden.  I can feel it on you, but you gotta quit it now.  I want it to be over and done with.  I do.  I’m tired boss.  I’m tired of having nobody to be with to tell me where we’re going to or coming from and why.  Most of all, I’m tired of people being ugly to each other.  I’m tired of all the pain I feel and hear in the world every day.   There is too much of it.  It’s like pieces of glass in my head all the time.  Can you understand?”

 

Paul:  “I think I do.”

 

And for me, so many of the comments and posts I see are like chards of glass in my head.  To help myself, I’ve had to become discerning, selective.  The noise in the world today can become overwhelming if you let it.  It boggles the mind.

 

The Brazilian President Bolsonaro claims COVID vaccine could turn people into alligators.

 

According to the globalcitizen.org, ‘Anti-vaxxers believe there’s a connection between vaccination and autism, as well as brain disorders, and are concerned about long term side effects, despite there being no scientific evidence supporting the theory.’

 

According to salon.com, ‘These self-described anti-vaxxers “embrace” the label of anti-vaxxer as a form of social identity’ the authors write. … ‘Personal liberty is one of the biggest drivers.’

 

Editorial Board subscriber of the Alternet.org said, ‘Tell me again why is that people get to decide whether or not to be vaccinated against COVID-19.  I don’t get a choice about whether to murder somebody.  I don’t get a choice to drive without a driver’s license or to exceed the speed limit or run a red light or go to Switzerland without a passport.  Why do people get a choice not to take the vaccine when they might very well expose somebody else who will die from it?’

 

And of course, there are the conspiracy theorists who say there isn’t really a pandemic.  It’s simply Big Brother trying to control us.

 

I know of a fellow whose wife left him because he secretly got vaccinated and she found out.

 

There are fine examples of how the vaccine is working splendidly.  Recently, we were at the Formula 1 Grand Prix at Silverstone, England.  On Saturday, the crowd was 100,000 people and on Sunday it was 140,000.  To attend, one had to show proof that they’d been double-vaccinated or show proof of a negative lateral flow test withing 48 hours of arrival.  We sang, danced, mingled with the crowd.  We were thoroughly entertained from not only the race itself, also with the other activities from the  Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows to the RAF Parachuting Team to the funky saxophone player.

 

It was an amazing weekend amongst a fantastic crowd and staff.  We did not catch the virus.  It seems to me that this is the way to go going forward.  I did not feel as though my civil liberties were infringed.  I had the choice to attend Covid free or not.

 

Everyone has the choice to be vaccinated or not.  As with everything there are consequences to our actions.

 

I’m astonished with the time and energy some people are exerting to avoid being vaccinated.   The divide between the vaccinated and non-vaccinated deepens while billions go to sleep hungry, die in waters attempting to escape oppression and poverty, power struggles tyrannize the peoples of Afghanistan and Myanmar, and CO2 emissions rise resulting in flood and fire.

 

Shards of glass in my head.