Covid-19 Vaccine and Me – Gracie Mauer, Junior

Receiving the Covid-19 vaccine and the global pandemic, in general, are quite controversial topics these days. Unfortunately, people’s ways of life have changed so much since its inception that friends and I do not speak to one another the same way we used to because of varying political opinions. But I do, in fact, feel rather strongly about this issue. So, when someone asks me, “Would you like your parents and grandparents to be vaccinated for Covid,” my response would be a quick and firm “no” in order to avoid a quarrel or further discussion.

 

Some might be quick to defend, “This vaccine will only be effective if a higher percentage of our population receives the two shots,” or, “How selfish of you to not want to ‘save lives!’” While I try my best to avoid entering a heated debate about the virus because I do not want to view my friends or colleagues differently, Covid has skewed my life, my happiness, my goals, and those of my family so much that I am quite unforgiving. And for what? When the virus was foreign to us about ten months ago, I understood people being skeptical and wanting to take precaution, especially those with illness or that are immunocompromised. But after a while, I think the measures taken to “stop the spread” were asinine. Of course each person’s circumstances is situational, but I stand for the fact that all kids should be in school face-to-face, citizens of the United States have the rights and freedoms to choose how they want to live their lives or whether they want to wear masks on their faces.

 

Business owners. I find it unacceptable of what the government did to hurt families that own businesses and farms, for that is how they make a living and support themselves. My list of reasons for how ridiculous all these matters are could go on forever, but I have to refrain.

 

I have never received a flu shot, nor have I ever retained the flu virus that still spreads annually despite an immunization created decades ago. Covid virus does not scare me, and it does not frighten my parents or grandparents in the least. They understand that a germ will do what it was meant to do, and if that means making them ill, then they will overcome that. But none of us will succumb to any sheepishness or any lies being told or exaggerate any facts more than needed. My family believes that our bodies have a greater chance of defending off a cold-like virus more so than a vaccination that was created in desperation and authorized by groups of untrustworthy officials.

 

Of course, I am a person with an extremely large heart and love to give and put my loved ones before myself. So for those that jump to conclusions that I am a person without any morality or compassion, I ignore it. I know myself, and I know my family, as they are my favorite people on this earth, and I wouldn’t want anything bad to ever knock them off their feet. But this is what we stand by.