Changing Our Narrative
By David Huff
Though the title reads “Post Covid-19….” you have to ask yourself, are we really out of it? Are we still in it? Or Did we just learn to adapt? Though there’s a new variant, my family and I have simply learned to adapt and to move with caution. Covid has impacted our decisions, our finances, our personal lives, and has infected a few family members. Throughout the nation, Covid has caused so much division with mandates, recommendations, conspiracies and personal opinions. The purpose of writing this article is not to prove who is right or wrong nor it is to determine if a decision is wise or foolish. The purpose of this article is to share why my wife and I choose to be vaccinated in the fewest words possible.
When the pandemic first began, I knew it was serious once they canceled the NBA. Yes, social events were being canceled and kids were being sent home, but when the NBA was canceled, I knew it was serious. When stories began to circulate on the vaccination, I was a little skeptical. My thought was to let the first round of vaccines roll out so they can work out the kinks with the zombie-like side effects, then I will consider. I pretty much looked at the vaccine like the release of the new iPhone. There’s always some type of glitch in the beginning and a new update is quickly released.
For me, I had my doubts. Is the vaccine another experiment on people of color? Are minorities receiving the same vaccination as the wealthy? What are the major side effects? How can I trust something that was produced so quickly?
I am not a scientist or doctor, but I am fortunate enough to have in-laws who are in the medical field that I can speak to freely. My mother-in-law is a lab scientist and part of her job is to study disease and vaccines. My brother-in-law is a surgeon. Though the Covid-19 was “developed quick,” technically it wasn’t. My in-laws were able to explain how the vaccine was developed over the past several years, but it was not until Covid-19 began to affect the population that scientists were able to gather the strands needed to develop an effective vaccine. Other statements were how scientists were developing, inserting and finalizing the cure at the same time. Though this seems minimal, there were plenty of conversations had and documentaries watched that influenced our decision.
After being comfortable with the information we received, my wife and I both decided to get vaccinated. We understand this vaccination isn’t a cure-all, but we do know if we were to get Covid the effects will not be as bad. I once had a friend tell me, “I’d rather live as though there is a God and later find out there is not versus living as though there is not a God and later finding out there is.” For me, deciding to be vaccinated was similar.
As parents, our job is to protect our children and make decisions to better their life. To get this vaccination was full of “What ifs?” What if this does protect me? What if this does keep my family and I safe? What if by being vaccinated, and I do become sickened by Covid, it will be minimal?
Naturally, I’m an optimistic individual and if those are my options, I’d rather take my chances.
This can be argued ten-fold, but as for me and my house, this was our decision.
So, there you have it. The pros vs. cons arguments will be never-ending and it is okay to agree to disagree. But as for me and my wife, we decided to protect ourselves, our children, their grandparents, our friends, neighbors, and loved ones. So I encourage you to get your information from a trusted source whose opinion on this or any subject is valid, valuable and verified. Then make a sound decision.
