That is by no means a certainty. And the longer people can avoid it the more tools we’ll have to keep it at bay and reduce its effects

But almost every unvaccinated person will catch it or have caught it. In the only anti-vax family I know well they all caught it, the mother was taken to hospital in an ambulance and now has severe long covid and the father’s best friend almost died and is now crippled. A nice thing for the daughter to have on her conscience wouldn’t you say?

Flu vaccines are less than half as effective as Covid vaccines and have worse side effects. If you didn’t have to would you wear a seat belt?

I think we can take things too far and move into a point where a sensible approach turns into getting 'stuck' on something.

Clearly, over 40s not getting vaccinated are most often 'me, me, me' types well above giving a fig about the well being of those around them, including vulnerable family members. We have to remember that especially with Delta and so on vaccination stopped a large number of infections, and passing it on and so was objectively the right thing to do to protect others.

The success of widespread vaccine driven immunity, natural infection and a mild variant that spreads like wildfire change certain aspects of where we're at. We have a strong foundation of protection now and I don't see the idea of going to extreme lengths to avoid Omicron as being a useful way ahead. It offer cross protection against some existing other variants that are 'worse' and so also may do so against what if anything comes next. It's surely almost unavoidable for those who want to live anything like a normal life and based on boosters becoming less effective months in, there is a good argument for not going to lengths to avoid it unless there unless someone is especially susceptible to the point of it being a very clear and significant risk to them.

God only know how many people have already had Omicron by now. Around 10,000,000 wouldn't surprise me considering the numbers with it this week alone. In a month or so we will likely be on the tailend of it, and I see more down sides for the economy, mental health and so on in having got there by dragging it out for months longer. Covid matters, but so do the consequences of society functioning like its the only thing in the world that does. It's a difficult needle to thread. I do appreciate that you've done your best for others during this time and are in a position where you've seen a lot of the damage done.

Edited by BlueJay (08 Jan 2022 2.13am)

Whether they were right or wrong that was their choice.

There are certain points I disagree with.

One is attacking people for their personal choice on vaccines, once the information is out there for them to make decisions. I've highlighted that far more than anything else.

You describe me as giving a 'vastly disproportionate amount of time to highlighting 'dangers' of the vaccine'.....Well perhaps over and above those like you who seem to shy away from any discussion of it? But is this really a fair representation? Or rather isn't it more that those who attack me end up revealing several personal doubts I have in some instances.....am I not allowed doubts?

What is more true is that I criticise those who appear willing to restrict people's freedom to make personal choices....oh and of course covid policies.

What I certainly do attack...and if I remember correctly you defended this position....are those who defended the taking of vaccines for the young and healthy when they never had a personal requirement for them.

That's vampirism and there should never have been coercion over personal free choice.

Also I find this description of personal choice as 'selfish' slightly bewildering...if I were working in a care-home perhaps but like I say, everyone's going to get it anyway.....I've answered this previously but it's quite something really.

As for me, yes my decision is partly political but not fully by any means.....I will review the situation at some point this year.

Edited by Stirlingsays (08 Jan 2022 2.37am)

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

I certainly supported the development of vaccines for the illness. However, I never thought I would be practically guilt tripped into taking it. Let alone it becoming this authoritarian dystopia that has happened in some places.

It's good that the vaccines are there for the elderly and vulnerable and indeed anyone else who wants to take them. I have zero issue with people deciding to take a vaccine.

It's all gone a bit weird I think....I know I've made this point before but there are plenty of people in hospital because they smoked or drank too much or ate too many burgers.

Some people box, some people drive fast cars, climb mountains....Is it sensible, probably not....is it freedom? Yeah.

I think we prefer a world where people have personal autonomy...though I realise that it's not always cut and dried

I may take a vaccine at some point but in honest truth if I assess my health there are much higher risks of death elsewhere....and I haven't exactly lived my life in fear of them either.....Foolish...perhaps but also honest to what I enjoy in life...But yeah, new year...new efforts....though this shoulder operation has to be focused upon because that's close and reasonably serious because it's bone infected.

Edited by Stirlingsays (08 Jan 2022 3.08am)

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

I did like the Queen Victoria statue in Warrior Square, St Leonards. If only because after big nights out, it was newly decorated with topical attire.
See her impersonation of The Pet Shop Boys.

She was not amused.

Attachment: queeen vic and cone.JPG (789.07Kb)

I disengage, I turn the page.