COVID 19: 19 reasons why you SHOULD get vaccinated

 Hello again,

I hope you all enjoyed your weekend. On Saturday, me and Matthew went to see my mum in Aylesbury and it was lovely to see her. As you may have seen on Instagram, I went for lunch at one of the oldest pubs in Aylesbury, The Kings Head and then went for an evening stroll around Watermead. It's odd going back to what used to be my hometown; I know the place well enough, but more and more I'm starting to feel like I'm passing through. Things have changed a lot since I lived there full time, so I always feel like I'm playing catching up.

Anyway, onto the topic of conversation today. No, it's not about Matt Hancock doing the dirty and resigning. Although, I find all of this very interesting. Who leaked the footage? Was someone behind the scenes pulling the puppet strings on Hancock's political demise? I guess we'll find out soon after the investigation. However, the subject today is vaccinations and why you SHOULD have them.

The news came out last week that record numbers of young people have booked their 1st vaccination slots and that vaccine hesitancy has gone down especially in the ethnic minority groups. This was music to my ears and it makes me so happy to see everyone pitching in and doing their bit for society. However, I was planning on doing this post on 19 reasons to get vaccinated and was afraid this news might render my blog idea obsolete. However, with some hesitancy still lurking and social media platforms having to step in to battle misinformation and encourage vaccine take-up, I thought I'd throw in my hat into the ring too. 

Also, quick disclaimer: I'm aware that there are a small number of people who for medical reasons cannot get the vaccine. They include people who have had a severe reaction to its ingredients. I'm NOT targeting these people, I understand they're unable to have it through no real fault of their own. 

Right, onward!

1. It saves lives

While you may scoff at those in government referencing 'the science' again and again, the science has indeed proved that the numbers of deaths and hospitalisations have gone down since the roll out of the vaccine. Even if the cases continue to rise, the deaths aren't following the same pattern which surely means the vaccines are working. Despite all of that, I know personally and I'm sure many will agree, I'd rather be protected. COVID-19 is in our population now, and not even Thanos' magic glove can click it away, so we have to live with it the best way we can and that's with vaccine protection against it.

2. It's not a human right not to have it

Ok, getting the hard one done early. If I had a pound for every time the phrase 'it's my human right' was used unnecessarily, I'd be a millionaire retiring many miles away from the here on a Caribbean island. You have a human right to life; to live in freedom without persecution and it's for that specific reason you SHOULD get vaccinated. Most of those arguing for not getting the vaccination will say 'it's my body, my right', and while I do agree with people's ability to control what they do with their body, I don't think using that reasoning is right in this context. The virus is wide spread and can spread very quickly and easily, so it's only fair for everyone if everyone is vaccinated and protected. 

3. It's insulting to centuries of innovating science

Remember the first time you ever heard the phrase COVID-19? You probably had no idea what it was, only that it came with a menacing name and an even more menacing picture. An evil spikey ball of virus that was ripping through the world at an alarming rate and even more alarmingly, there was no easy fix. Only science could solve this one while most of us lot all stayed at home, wore a mask in Tesco and remembered to clap once a week for the nurse living 3 doors down. And while many doomsayers were predicting the vaccine would take years, it in fact took under a year. By November 2020, Pfizer announced that their vaccine was showing promise in human trials, and by December 2020, the first vaccine was given in Coventry. Science- or rather the scientists- pulled off something remarkable and created a vaccine that sparked the first flames of hope across the world. Throughout history, scientists have prevailed against the most deadly diseases with life-saving vaccines and treatments. From Cowpox in the 18th Century, to Polio in the 1950's, pioneering, ground breaking science came to save the day, and it's no different with COVID-19 today. Scientists have worked day in and day out in record time, and people put themselves at risk in scientific trials to create a vaccine that would save lives. So while you may claim conspiracy or human rights, just bear in mind the hard work and dedication many have put in just to try and make the world a better, safer place.

4. It doesn't hurt, honest

This may only make up a small part of the wider anti vax argument, but fear of pain is a big one. Fear of how it's going to effect you afterwards, fear of side effects later on. I think fear in general is the main one here. I understand this myself as I'm not a huge fan of needles and pain (who really is?). But I found personally in the case of the vaccine, the anticipation was worse than the event itself. All that build up, the overly-specific timeslot, the cubicles, the waiting, it's enough to make anyone a bit nervy- let alone someone with anxiety. But, luckily for me, I got a nice nurse who talked me through it and put me at ease and in fact, before I realised, she told me I was good to go. The way I thought of it was I'd rather have the minor pain of a pin-prick, than face the potentially devastating consequences of catching fully-blown COVID (let alone having someone else catch it from me!)

5. The government and medical professionals are advising you have it

For those who argue it's unsafe. Why would the government and medical professionals be recommending a vaccine to you if they didn't think it was safe? The government may be full of very questionable people, but what benefit is it to them to give us something unsafe? They've already spent billions trying to make ends meet during this whole pandemic, why would they risk killing off billions of tax payers? (to put it bluntly) It's been tested by scientists, the figures have been discussed and poured over to the nth degree. I'm sure it's safe. Under 40's are now getting access to Pfizer instead of Astra Zeneca to satisfy those too anxious to take it due to the blood clot concerns. Concerns of which cover only a minute percentage of the total number of people given the AZ vaccine. It's got to a point where whole countries (Australia, I'm looking at you!) are cancelling vaccines and therefore cancelling their virus protection. Those in charge have a vested interest in keep us safe so trust that if they're advising you to do something for public health reasons, it's probably worth doing it (what they say, not what they do) Think about this, you wear a seatbelt right? You follow the speed signs on the road? They're for the safety of yourself and others, and so is the vaccine.

6. It's the quickest way we can get back to normal

Normality may just be a wishful buzzword right now, but one day we'll be able to look back at this instead of wallowing in it, and the quickest way that's going to happen is if we carry on the way we are with the vaccine program. July 19th is the magical 'Freedom Day' and that'll be the big test as to where we go next, but foreign travel is still looking a little dicey. There was some push back on the idea of a vaccine passport, but I think it's a great idea. To be secure in the knowledge that everyone you're on that plane with has been vaccinated would add peace of mind if anything. 

7. COVID is never going away

As I briefly mentioned back in point 1, COVID is here to stay. It'll be like the flu, every year we vaccinate ourselves against it and brace for when it hits us. COVID will be no different. We may need boosters every year, who knows? But I'd rather be safe from a threat than be left out in the cold. Scientists are learning more and more about COVID every day and if they say a vaccine is best for now, then sure damn right I'm going to take it!

8. "COVID-19 won't effect me"- Hint: it will

Ah, this old chestnut. I pity the arrogance on display here. It's this arrogance that endangers so many people and it drives me insane. It doesn't matter if you're young and at the peak of physical fitness eating 500 a day meditating all the bad juju away, or fitter than average 50-something, COVID doesn't care. COVID won't approach you and ask nicely to enter your body and infect you, it'll just do it and it won't care about the consequences. You see, life can take things from you that you never thought it would. Take Christian Eriksen for example. Thankfully he's fine now, but what happened to him was a huge shock and caught everyone off guard. He's a fit football player; an athlete with what I presume is a relatively strict healthy diet. What happened to him put life into perspective and served as a stark reminder that anything can happen to anyone.

9. The side effects are far more favourable than the alternative

Having watched BBC2's 'Hospital' and seen people that were once fit and able, fighting for their lives in ITU wheezing out that poignant 'if only...' line, it hits home just how important prevention is than the cure. While some live to tell their stories, others tragically don't. One man was one day away from his vaccine and unfortunately died after a long stint in ITU. One day. 2 seconds sat in a cubicle can save you from fighting for you life on oxygen. As someone who is prone to panic attacks and anxiety attacks, I can tell you first hand that struggling to breathe is not a nice experience. I'd do anything not to feel that vulnerable ever again and even the thought of potentially not being able to breathe scares me senseless.

10. You've probably consumed worse things

Whether it's a heavy night on the town, or a greasy fry up, we've all consumed things that are far from recommended. A COVID vaccine is no doubt one of the healthiest things you'll ever put in your body. Think of it as a special vitamin if you must. It's something that will help you build up your defences.

11. Actual medical professionals have taken it and advise you to do so too

Doctors, nurses, carers, you name it, they've all taken it and they've had to for the safety of themselves and others. Don't leave them out there on their own. You'd trust your doctor with the majority of your wellbeing, so trust them on this one.

12. Be on the right side of history

2020 will no doubt be in the history books. If not for the virus itself then the vaccine and the speed in which it was produced. It really is a scientific marvel. And when children learn about COVID at school in the year 2050 (or something) they'll learn all about those who came forward and queued up upper-arms at the ready for their immunisation. We all know and laugh at those who have opted out of getting their children vaccinated for fear of autism- a fear that's been completely debunked by experts. I know what side of history I want to be on- the vaccinated one.

13. Protesting against the vaccine and vaccine passports makes you look like a #covidiot

In May and June, there were protests in London against the lockdown, the vaccine and vaccine passports - something that the government and NHS are trialling for some events and international travel. The lockdown aspect I can understand and sympathise with. There are many sectors such as music, hospitality and theatre (to name but a few) that have been overlooked throughout the pandemic. However, arguing against vaccines and vaccine passports; calling the pandemic a hoax is some next level Trump-esque idiocy that baffles me. I'd love to see these people walk into a hospital and say that to the millions of exhausted, overworked and grossly underpaid NHS staff, or those essential shop staff that have been working flat out for the last 18 months. I don't think they'd take that very well at all. In fact, most of them would be begging you to stay at home and keep your distance. Not only to save your life, but to prevent you from joining the queues of people already waiting for hospital treatment. Vaccines save lives, I wish people would stop thinking of them as a conspiracy to violate your 'human rights' and start thinking of others for a change. As I mentioned earlier, vaccines will not completely eradicate the COVID-19 virus, but it'll stop you from getting seriously ill.

Also, I'm all for vaccine passports. A vaccine passport, or COVID Pass, for those who aren't sure, is a pass that shows your vaccine status. They're in the trial stage at the moment, but I think they offer vital peace of mind at such an uncertain time. Frankly, I'm surprised people are so up in arms about them. It'll allow you to travel and enter events knowing you and those around you are as safe as you can be.

14. It's the most selfless thing to do

It's not just about you and your health, it's the health of everyone around you. I think the scariest thing with this virus is that in some people, it causes no symptoms at all- it's the ultimate silent assassin. As well as protecting yourself, being vaccinated will also help keep others safe. COVID times have encouraged communities to come together, and it seems fitting to come together and be vaccinated.

15. Feeling helpless? This is the most proactive thing you can do

Whether it's being on furlough with nothing to do, or working on a busy ward with the sickest patients, feeling helpless is probably up there with anxiety and loneliness when it comes to most of our emotional responses. So when the vaccine came along, for me personally, I couldn't wait to get it. It felt like the best and most proactive thing I could do other than bathing in anti-bac every time I come in from the shops. Having something to do in a difficult situation can actually help ease your anxieties a little. That feeling of knowing you've done something, it feels good.

16. Have I mentioned it's dumb?

As I mentioned in point 12, we all point and laugh at those who for very little reason at all, link vaccines to autism. Now people are linking the COVID vaccines to 5G and tracking devices!! It really makes me question humanity when people come up with this utter b****cks. More on this in point 18.

17. Yes, your body is a temple, but you health effects everyone

See point 10. C'mon holier than thou. If, like you say, your body is your temple, then why not protect it from potentially collapsing with disease and get it vaccinated? You buy smoke alarms for your house and locks for your doors, vaccination is the human body equivalent.

18. No, it's not got 5G or a tracking device in it *sigh*

I don't think I have patience to go all out on this one. You have a phone, right? Facebook, Google are the ones tracking you and you're completely fine with that aren't you? You blindly say yes to the T&C's on all the apps and websites you use? Oh and CCTV. Oh and Youtube. Oh and your Ring door bell. Oh and your Alexa. The list is endless. You're pinning the tail on the wrong donkey here.

19. Just please, please consider vaccinating yourself. 

For the sanity of the world, for normality, for your friends, for your family, for everyone working in the NHS, for everyone working in the supermarkets, for the scientists, for the countless industries struggling, for those with mental health issues, for those awaiting major surgery, for your next summer holiday abroad, for those shielding just please reconsider. It's not just about you.

So that's it. 19 reasons why you should get vaccinated. And no, I'm not being paid by anyone to do this pro- vaccination post. I'm just one half vaccinated human, asking other hesitant unvaccinated humans to reconsider their hasty decision. Do some research, search yourself, hear people out. It'll be so worth it in the end, I promise.

Until next time....