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Candace Low's avatar

I hope those who think the worst is ahead of us are wrong. I wish we could instill a sense of community and social responsibility in those who don't want to be vaccinated. The trend I see is those who don't get vaccinated seem to change their mind when they or a family member get the virus and by then it is almost too late.

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Susan Campbell's avatar

I hope they're wrong, too. And I've been reading those interviews, as well. They're heartbreaking but I'm having a hard time feeling bad for the families. I've cauterized a part of myself, I think.

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Melina Rudman's avatar

I am worried that the unvaccinated are acting as petri dishes for some new mutation that will be undaunted by the vaccines.

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Susan Campbell's avatar

I worry about that, too. And until the unvaccinated stop their nonsense, they put everyone at risk. I have a hard time reconciling such selfish and ignorant behavior.

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Jac's avatar

The more it circulates, the more opportunity the virus has to mutate. I also worry that it seems to be showing up in vaccinated people...and that globally most are not vaccinated. (more opportunity for mutation, and of course harm) We need to go after it with everything we have to snuff it out. In addition to vaccines & masking indoors in areas where groups congregate, we also need better therapeutics. I haven't looked to see where medical research is on development of that piece.

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Susan Campbell's avatar

I feel the same way about misinformation. It circulates. It mutates. It kills.

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Jac's avatar

I want to add, I love this line of yours: "I’d say it’s the little things, but honestly, those little things add up to a life."

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Jac's avatar

That's a great analogy!

One other concern for some areas of the country where hospitalizations from COVID are spiking: ICUs are full...so when anyone, vaccinated or not, has a medical emergency for any other reason and needs ICU care, they may not get it. People without COVID can end up dying because of unvaccinated COVID people taking over the ICU. People who have been dragging their feet on getting vaccinated need to get themselves vaccinated now!

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Susan Campbell's avatar

It's the lack of ICU beds that push me over the edge. That means there really ARE death panels, right?

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Jac's avatar

Well, unfortunately, it looks like that. This says it all: https://fb.watch/7d0W4iYvrb/

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Mary Ann Dimand's avatar

They are, of course, but it's utterly unclear how to change that productively. :(

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Mary Ann Dimand's avatar

I mean, for a mere civilian. Public policy could help, if it would.

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Paul Ashton's avatar

By now it’s an overworked analogy but we’re entering into slow motion Jonestown territory.

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Susan Campbell's avatar

Feels that way, doesn't it?

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Charlene L. Edge's avatar

You've summed up how I feel, think, and wish. Thank you, Susan.

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Bill Yousman's avatar

There are no words to express my feelings about this. We know each other, Susan, and you know I try not to be a hater... but I just can't wrap my head around what a combination of ignorance and arrogance is doing to us. Someday I will tell you about the media studies professor I know who is an active spreader of lies, conspiracy theories, and disinformation.

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Susan Campbell's avatar

I grow increasingly unable to even have a conversation about this. The facts are there. You're ignoring the facts and so I honestly don't know what to do with you.

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Bill Yousman's avatar

Yep. It's like a maze where every alley leads to another wall. I honestly don't know if we will ever get out of this in my lifetime.

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Joan Sheehan's avatar

Seeing people refuse to get vaccinated at this point angers me. I am also frustrated at those who won’t wear masks when close to strangers, even if they are vaccinated themselves. I was in lone at Captain Scott’s for food and I was the only one masked. I go into the grocery store and practically no one has a mask on.

They are saying that the next mutation could be even worse if we don’t get herd immunity, which at this point looks like a dream, sadly.

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Susan Campbell's avatar

I wear one but I have to admit part of my motivation is to get into an argument. I got into one a couple of days ago. No one actually won the argument. The guy got into his truck and drove off.

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Jac's avatar

I've been thinking of you recently and what's ahead once school starts. Some universities are requiring vaccines for all in-person classes and are requiring vaccinated students participate in surveillance testing. I hope things go well for you and your students.

Some good news: Yesterday, a person on social media page (who I did not know) was looking for where to go for a particular type of vaccine and I helped her find it. One more person vaccinated!

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Susan Campbell's avatar

That’s just excellent. My campus requires vaccination — or proof of an exemption. They appear to be taking this all pretty seriously.

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Aug 6, 2021
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Mary Ann Dimand's avatar

I can hear the snail darters applauding now.

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Susan Campbell's avatar

And cheering, in little, high, squeaky voices.

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Susan Campbell's avatar

Stunning, isn’t it?

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