I've worked in the health insurance industry for nearly 20 years. I know more about insurance and the US healthcare (sickcare) delivery system than the average person. Over the last couple of years, I've taken charge of my own health after a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. It's fair to say that I know more about my own health than most people know about theirs. I also think that I'm smart enough to comprehend conclusions based on scientific studies and evaluate guidelines and advice from a variety of sources. This is the background with which I have approached the COVID pandemic broadly and COVID vaccinations specifically.
Unfortunately and for a variety of reasons, this pandemic and the topic of vaccinations has become highly polarized and political. I don't want to get into all those details except to say that we've lost the nuance in science and the public discourse. Either you are #TeamVaccine or you're an #Anti-Vaxxer. There's no room for anything else.
I am not an anti-vaxxer. I know to some people that's like a micromanager saying, "I'm not a micromanager." I've never heard a micromanager actually own up to it. There are true anti-vaxxers out there who have some pretty wild beliefs. I don't think vaccines have anything to do with 5G. I don't think Bill Gates is tracking us with some microchip. I don't think it's a grand conspiracy to de-populate the earth. Unfortunately, the extreme people are muddying the waters for the people who have legitimate concerns about the COVID vaccines.
I think vaccines in general have been one of the great medical achievements of mankind. I got all my vaccines when I was a kid. I've gotten a tetanus shot and boosters. Do I get the flu vaccine every year? No. The flu vaccine at its best is maybe 50% protective. And by the way, I don't get the flu. Or pneumonia. Some people are more susceptible to these illnesses. I've never had any lung problems.
Let's talk about the purpose of the COVID vaccine. Does the vaccine keep you from getting infected? Nope, you can still test positive even if you are fully vaccinated. Does the vaccine keep you from spreading the virus to others? Nope, you can still spread the virus to others if you are fully vaccinated. Does the vaccine keep you from getting sick with COVID? No, there are "breakthrough" infections in which fully-vaccinated people may still have symptoms that could be severe. Okay, so then what is the purpose of the COVID vaccine? Based on the data, it appears the COVID vaccines greatly reduce the risk of severe symptoms and hospitalization if you contract the virus. There are risks with the vaccines as well. This is the risk calculation that each individual person has to make to manage his or her own health. In addition, from a public health standpoint, one's decision also affects other people. This public health debate about vaccines is not new, but it's certainly front-and-center in today's social climate. Some people say, "My body, my choice." The question is what happens when your decisions not only affect you but those around you?
Up to this point, I had not gotten vaccinated. I live alone. I work at home. I don't get out much. I looked into alternative prophylaxis treatments and methods, but in the end, I have been focusing on keeping my immune system in tip-top shape. That doesn't mean I think I am invincible. I'm still overweight. I'm not fully recovered from type 2 diabetes. Both of these risk factors are associated with more serious outcomes for COVID. I'm also 43, and yet I know of people half my age who got very sick (thankfully, not hospitalized) from COVID.
So this brings me to the announcement last week that Santa Clara County, where my client is located, is requiring all county employees to be vaccinated. This edict includes contractors who are onsite. Here come the mandates. I can see the writing on the wall. While I'm not yet traveling to California, if my client requests for me to be onsite, now we're talking about my employment. I'm also traveling to Florida next month for the Annual Biohacking Conference.
So my hand (arm) was forced. I was tired of feeling like the Sword of Damocles was hanging over me. I think it's safe to say that we are all going to be exposed to the novel coronavirus at some point in the future. I would rather have some control over the timing instead of waiting until the last minute. I would also feel terrible if I spread the virus to someone else, even if I, myself, do not get sick.
So yesterday I went a mile down the road to good ol' Walgreens and got my first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. I read a lot of info about the different vaccines, and sometimes you just have to make a decision and move forward. Even though I had an appointment, I was still waiting because the pharmacy was crazy busy. As I sat there, I listened to the interactions between technicians and customers about their prescriptions. I heard numbers such as $225 and even $600 for prescriptions, and people walked away empty-handed. So I got "the jab" as they say. I barely felt it. In fact, it's more painful when I prick my finger to check my blood glucose. Thankfully, I had no immediate reactions. I had a sleep score of 91 and recovery score of 95 last night, and only mild, lingering soreness in my arm.
I don't pass judgment on anyone getting or not getting the vaccine. I'm not here to preach and say get it or don't get it. I wanted to share my personal story because real thoughts and feelings are getting crowded out by the headlines, politics, and hysteria.
Unfortunately and for a variety of reasons, this pandemic and the topic of vaccinations has become highly polarized and political. I don't want to get into all those details except to say that we've lost the nuance in science and the public discourse. Either you are #TeamVaccine or you're an #Anti-Vaxxer. There's no room for anything else.
I am not an anti-vaxxer. I know to some people that's like a micromanager saying, "I'm not a micromanager." I've never heard a micromanager actually own up to it. There are true anti-vaxxers out there who have some pretty wild beliefs. I don't think vaccines have anything to do with 5G. I don't think Bill Gates is tracking us with some microchip. I don't think it's a grand conspiracy to de-populate the earth. Unfortunately, the extreme people are muddying the waters for the people who have legitimate concerns about the COVID vaccines.
I think vaccines in general have been one of the great medical achievements of mankind. I got all my vaccines when I was a kid. I've gotten a tetanus shot and boosters. Do I get the flu vaccine every year? No. The flu vaccine at its best is maybe 50% protective. And by the way, I don't get the flu. Or pneumonia. Some people are more susceptible to these illnesses. I've never had any lung problems.
Let's talk about the purpose of the COVID vaccine. Does the vaccine keep you from getting infected? Nope, you can still test positive even if you are fully vaccinated. Does the vaccine keep you from spreading the virus to others? Nope, you can still spread the virus to others if you are fully vaccinated. Does the vaccine keep you from getting sick with COVID? No, there are "breakthrough" infections in which fully-vaccinated people may still have symptoms that could be severe. Okay, so then what is the purpose of the COVID vaccine? Based on the data, it appears the COVID vaccines greatly reduce the risk of severe symptoms and hospitalization if you contract the virus. There are risks with the vaccines as well. This is the risk calculation that each individual person has to make to manage his or her own health. In addition, from a public health standpoint, one's decision also affects other people. This public health debate about vaccines is not new, but it's certainly front-and-center in today's social climate. Some people say, "My body, my choice." The question is what happens when your decisions not only affect you but those around you?
Up to this point, I had not gotten vaccinated. I live alone. I work at home. I don't get out much. I looked into alternative prophylaxis treatments and methods, but in the end, I have been focusing on keeping my immune system in tip-top shape. That doesn't mean I think I am invincible. I'm still overweight. I'm not fully recovered from type 2 diabetes. Both of these risk factors are associated with more serious outcomes for COVID. I'm also 43, and yet I know of people half my age who got very sick (thankfully, not hospitalized) from COVID.
So this brings me to the announcement last week that Santa Clara County, where my client is located, is requiring all county employees to be vaccinated. This edict includes contractors who are onsite. Here come the mandates. I can see the writing on the wall. While I'm not yet traveling to California, if my client requests for me to be onsite, now we're talking about my employment. I'm also traveling to Florida next month for the Annual Biohacking Conference.
So my hand (arm) was forced. I was tired of feeling like the Sword of Damocles was hanging over me. I think it's safe to say that we are all going to be exposed to the novel coronavirus at some point in the future. I would rather have some control over the timing instead of waiting until the last minute. I would also feel terrible if I spread the virus to someone else, even if I, myself, do not get sick.
So yesterday I went a mile down the road to good ol' Walgreens and got my first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. I read a lot of info about the different vaccines, and sometimes you just have to make a decision and move forward. Even though I had an appointment, I was still waiting because the pharmacy was crazy busy. As I sat there, I listened to the interactions between technicians and customers about their prescriptions. I heard numbers such as $225 and even $600 for prescriptions, and people walked away empty-handed. So I got "the jab" as they say. I barely felt it. In fact, it's more painful when I prick my finger to check my blood glucose. Thankfully, I had no immediate reactions. I had a sleep score of 91 and recovery score of 95 last night, and only mild, lingering soreness in my arm.
I don't pass judgment on anyone getting or not getting the vaccine. I'm not here to preach and say get it or don't get it. I wanted to share my personal story because real thoughts and feelings are getting crowded out by the headlines, politics, and hysteria.
The thing is, here in Austria the patient doesn’t have to pay for it. I can get every prescribed medicine my doctors want me to get for I think 13 € (a small fee, no matter how expensive the pill is, [and if you have enough medical bills over the years you can even apply to get a wavier for that 13€ {many elderly people get it or other who need a bunch of pills daily}]) and on other places of the world people can’t event pay for the insulin which they _NEED_ to live.
One thing im curious about going forward though is limits. sure people are open to vaccines and a booster. but eventually people will not be okay with getting the jab over and over again.
this will be a curious winter again. will it be lockdown city again? find out soon!
A few days ago I listened to a Joe Rogan podcast with Bret Weinstein and Pierre Kory who discuss the drug Ivermectin as a reliable treatment for COVID-19. The discussion is super interesting it seems like large Pharma is trying to supress news about this drug that was around for 40 something years and is no money to be made of.