Throughout the roll-out of the vaccine, false narratives and conspiracy theories have run wild. Many are relying on these false claims rather than the facts, a note that will put the safety of us all into question.
It is key that eligible Americans take the vaccine as soon as possible. Yes, everyone has the right to their own body and the freedom of choice to do what they find right. Yes, I believe that no one should be forced to take the vaccine.
However, to achieve herd immunity, 70-85% of the population would have to become vaccinated. With people opting out of taking the vaccine, it could potentially bump our recovery wait further down the road, making “getting back to normal” even more unachievable.
Currently, less than 20 percent of the population has been fully vaccinated, a percentage that will hopefully increase now that they are more accessible to the general public.
That is still a large percentage that we have to fulfill. With summer coming, and cases declining because of vaccinations, more and more people might not see a need to take the vaccine. Yet when next fall and winter come around, cases could ramp up again, and in turn, the possibility of another lockdown.
It is critical that we take advantage of the vaccine and use it to its full potential. In many states, vaccines are in danger of being wasted, due to not enough people signing up to get vaccinated.
With the end in sight being so close, it is frustrating to see so many throw our best chance aside. Even more so, many of the people complaining about not wanting to be vaccinated are also the people who have not wanted to adhere to any COVID guidelines or to wear masks. They complain about the pandemic and its effects but do nothing to help us on the road to recovery.
Everyone should be doing their part to end the pandemic. Yes, the vaccine is a choice, but it is a choice prioritizing the safety and wellbeing of others.
As opportunities arise, don’t allow rumors and false claims to sway your decision. Listen to the facts and make the decision to help protect others.
Dani Moore can be reached at [email protected]