There has been a lot of talk about people who are “vaccine hesitant” or “vaccine resistant” and what their various reasons are for not getting the jab.
They range from people who want to know “What’s in it?” (even though these same people consume things every day that they don’t know the ingredients of) to those who have been duped by relentless misinformation on Facebook.
The B.C. government has made a valiant attempt to educated people about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine, but far too many people have decided to not get it.
What I find wild is that my old friend Vince has been vaccinated for his first and second dose.
Why is that wild?
Because he belongs to a weird cult, that’s why.
I haven’t spoken to Vince in a long time, but I follow him on Facebook and have been in touch with other friends and his family over the years. He got sucked into a quasi-religious group that, according to the definitions I’ve researched, is a cult.
He’s pretty much cut off contact with anyone who isn’t part of this group (I’m leaving the name out to not give them publicity) and espouses some bizarre views about the end of the world. He also has some strange anti-science views about blood transfusions and other medical advances.
And yet, he recently posted something about how he had received his second COVID-19 dose. I actually hurt my jaw when it hit the floor.
“I’ve looked into it and think the vaccine is safe,” he wrote.
I was stunned, but happy to see an anti-science person do the right thing to protect himself and others.
So, what’s your excuse? If a cult member can be convinced, why are you still clinging to the misinformation as tens of millions of people get vaccinated?
So far, 68.4% of eligible British Columbians (those 12 and older) have been fully vaccinated, while 81.7% have received at least one dose.
Meanwhile, as COVID-19 cases rise in B.C., it’s clear that those suffering are mostly those who haven’t been vaccinated – many by choice.
I’m begging all of you to get vaccinated if you are able to. It’s the right thing to do.
Be like Vince (in this one way).
Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.
