You asked where I stand. This is where I stand.
I detest lies from the top. Social fabric tears.
Lies and terrible choices of words. Overreach and breach of trust.
But when all the anger and frustration are done.
The risk of vaccinating vs The risk of meeting COVID unvaccinated.
The data is clear. Vaccinate today.
Don’t do it for our politicians. Elected by us, but serving special interests.
If you can.
Do it for nan.
Do it for our children.
Do it for the immune compromised.
Do it for our frontline people – our teachers, our ambo drivers, our doctors and nurses.
Our frontline heroes are facing a real war – against a terrible virus, trying to keep their own families safe.
Let’s deal with privacy issues, infringements of liberties and bad legislation by voting better people in.
Let’s deal with the virus with the best we’ve got now.
Common sense, supporting our immune system and informing it through vaccination.
This is where I stand.
I can see you. I love you. I don’t want harm to come to you.
And this is my truth.
PS: As for the use of the word ‘apartheid’: I had a friend whose wife and children were blown up by a parcel bomb in Soweto. Not because they were a danger to anyone, but because of the colour of their skin. ‘Be impeccable with your word’.
Image: Red Cross Home Service arriving just in time to rescue this woman from the clutches of influenza (1918). Original from Library of Congress. Digitally enhanced by rawpixel.
Well said Bettina. I have just listened to the speech given by our local State member in which she deplores the notion of separating the unvaccinated from the vaccinated in some situations, suggesting ‘we are all in this together’; but of course we are not. I think the nearly 90% of our community who have chosen to be vaccinated are ‘in it together’, recognising the need to to protect themselves, and their responsibility to protect others. Choosing not to be vaccinated is setting yourself apart. It’s a choice, not something you can’t change like the colour of your skin. I respect people’s right to choose, but I cannot respect their desire to put others at risk.
Thank Judy. I have to agree. Leadership and communication have been ambiguous and conflicting. Then again I really can’t fault Jacinda Ardern in this, but even in New Zealand social media conspiracy destabilisation has taken hold and is growing. Very sad.
Well put Bettina. At last a message of concern about other people who are at greater risk. All I’ve been hearing from the most rabid anti-vaccination folk is based on my body, my choice. It’s pretty obvious now that it’s collectively about our bodies and our choices. The new strain will likely further put our stretched medical system under more pressure and this keeps people with other conditions and diseases out of the hospital system even longer.
The comparison to apartheid is odious. Segregation of people from all aspects of society is very different to the health protocols proposed as public health measures.