More than 70 percent of adults in the United States have now received at least one dose of one of the many vaccines to prevent COVID19 and at least 50 percent are fully vaccinated. At this same moment, COVID infections and hospitalization rates are starting to spike to some of their highest levels. When looking at the data, while there are certainly plenty of vaccinated Americans who are still catching some variant of COVID19, nearly all of the current deaths related to COVID are among those who were never vaccinated.
I think the question to vaccinate is a deeply personal one, especially considering how new the vaccine is. As someone who is relatively young and in good health and who was never really afraid of COVID19 or its health effects, I was not sure I wanted to get the vaccine right away. I am not an “anti-vax” person. I probably have more vaccines in me than the average American – most of which I have gotten prior to preparing to travel to some foreign land (as of this date, I have visited 23 countries).
In 2019, before a trip to Peru, I was vaccinated with the yellow fever vaccine simply because I planned to spend two days in the Amazon region of Peru. I was told ahead of time that I might even need my yellow fever vaccination card to enter one way or the other (sounds like a vaccine passport!) No one ever checked. But I would have gotten the vaccine anyway (which lasts for a lifetime). No one wants to get yellow fever!
Most of this year, I have been living in Guatemala and I have traveled back to the United States once already and will do so at least one or two more times before the year is out. I took my first COVID test back in late February, shortly before coming to Guatemala. That test was not pleasurable at all and I had a really bad experience with it. After that, I was ready to sign up for the COVID vaccine if it was going to prevent me from having to take more COVID tests to cross borders.
And so, when I came back to visit the United States in late May (for a 7-week stay), I received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, provided at Walgreens. Three weeks later, I went back for my second dose. I had absolutely zero side effects. Some hours after the second one, my arm had a little soreness for a short period but almost barely noticeable. That was it. Some people definitely have more side effects. I’ve heard a mix of stories, as I’m sure most of us have by now.
In the past week, I learned of two friends in Florida who have had really bad bouts of COVID infections. Both of them had chosen not to get the vaccine up to this point.
One of them is in his early 50s, is slightly overweight, and also has diabetes. He has been in the hospital for the past week. Last week, he was in the ICU with out-of-control blood sugar due to COVID, while also suffering from pneumonia, dehydration, and oxygen levels that were moving in the wrong direction. As of this writing, his situation has greatly improved – except for those blood sugar levels, which are spiking both because of COVID and the treatment needed for COVID. We are still unsure of how long this will last or what his long-term side effects will be.
My friend is a very conservative Republican, and from his hospital bed, he wrote on his page, “Friends, regardless of what you think politically, this is no joking matter. Given my age, weight, and diabetes, I should have taken the vaccine. If you are in a high-risk demographic, go today and get it. Any side effect for me would have been much easier than what I’m experiencing now.” He added, “Please evaluate your health and Covid risk.” He posted a photo of himself (he looked horrible) and noted, “I’ve never had a total of three IVs or the countless injections from arteries. Weigh your risk accordingly.”
Another friend in Florida this week informed me he has been battling the symptoms of COVID for over 9 days. He is in his early 40s and in more than perfect shape. He frequently runs marathons and competes in triathlons and Iron Mans. He hasn’t been hospitalized, but he did tell me that he has “basically slept for 9 days.” He had to cancel all his Zoom meetings (he is a very high-level entrepreneur) and told me he “struggled to walk a mile today.” A mile walk for him is usually nothing. He then added, “I’m sure I’ll be fine, but it’s really starting to mess with my head.”
Now let me add one more perspective: one from here where I’m at in Guatemala. I haven’t met anyone here who will not get the vaccine when the opportunity arises. To date, only about 2 percent of adults in Guatemala have been fully vaccinated, while about 12 percent have received at least one dose. As of a few months ago, the only people in Guatemala that had received the vaccine either worked in health care or were well off enough to have the opportunity to fly to the United States to get it. I can’t tell you the amount of people I know or have met that have flown to the United States just to get the vaccine. Some even stayed 3 weeks for a second dose, while others took the one-shot Johnson & Johnson.
Two weeks ago, the United States government announced they were sending 3 million doses of the Moderna vaccine to Guatemala (that means 1.5 million people can each get two doses). Within two days of that announcement, the vaccines arrived on a plane, and within a day or so of that, they were already being administered into the arms of Guatemalans across the country. At the universities, including the one I teach at, they had “vaccine drives” for all students and professors who wanted one. I imagine within the next month, that 2 percent number of fully vaccinated will get up to about 20 percent – mostly thanks to the generosity of the United States and the advanced level of our medical system and drug companies.
In a country like Guatemala where few people have access to good health care, vaccines like this one are super important. It’s basically a no-brainer to get it.
Another big issue I see in this debate is whether we are going to force people to get vaccinated (that’s a big no) or whether we are going to shame people to get vaccinated. I think this is wrong too. Everyone’s health decisions are their own.
The vaccines work. That is clear. Are they perfect? No. Few things in life are. But they have certainly allowed for businesses and schools to reopen, sporting events and concerts to return, and a sense of normalcy is in the air. During my seven weeks in the United States, I spent most of my time in the Free State of Florida, but I also visited New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia. It was nice to see things pretty much back to normal in all of these places.
At this point, people in the United States who are not vaccinated, have made a choice. It is their free choice. They have considered the risks.
As for those of us who have chosen to get vaccinated, what do we have to fear from the unvaccinated? The whole point of the vaccine (for ourselves) is to prevent getting COVID19. We don’t need to mask up and we don’t need to require anyone to mask up. And our government needs to stay out of the mask mandate business.
If you want to wear a mask, you are welcome to. But at this point, trying to force someone else to wear a mask or get vaccinated or prohibit them from engaging in any public activity, from eating at restaurants or attending events, is simply un-American. We Americans stand out amongst the rest of the world because we truly believe in freedom. This freedom has also led to economic prosperity which has given us the greatest medical care in the world. If we choose to limit the freedoms of some of our fellow Americans, are we prepared to go down the road of economic ruin, which will only lower the standard of medical care in the future?
We each also have a sense of personal responsibility. At this point, everyone knows how and where to get the vaccine, at no additional cost to them. Let us not continue to use this moment to divide ourselves. Rather, we should be using this moment to all choose healthier lifestyles and get outdoors more often to get more Vitamin D. Those two things are much more helpful than wearing a mask. And yet, I have seen no single government in the world use this moment to educate their citizens on choosing healthier lifestyles.
I’m not into mandating anything, but if I were forced to choose between a mask mandate or a mandate to get off your ass and get some exercise almost every day, I’d choose the latter instead. Let us set our priorities right. Let us trust the science – all while continuing to secure the freedom of every American for generations to come.
The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of AmericanActionNews.com
Francisco Gonzalez
Francisco Gonzalez is founder and CEO of Fearless Journeys and host of the Agents of Innovation podcast, where he interviews entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and artists. He is also visiting professor at the Universidad Francisco Marroquin in Guatemala City, teaching courses on entrepreneurship and innovation. He was previously the director of philanthropy for National Review Institute. He serves on the boards of The Philadelphia Society, AMIkids Orlando, and on the Advisory Council for Turning Point USA.
I am someone who has chosen not to take the vaccine. I appreciate, what I would say is, the first truly logical and balanced article I have read on this subject. For once. no propaganda one way or the other! Great job! If more people thought like you, our country would have a chance of pulling together.
I thoroughly agree with you, Paul. My wife and I have also chosen not to get the vaccine. At 73/74, we have already had COVID in December. For us it wasn’t that bad – the worst part was sleeping 2-3 hours extra due to fatigue (but since we are retired, it didn’t matter); the whole exposure to this disease lasted about a week or less. But neither of us trust a vaccine whose effects on us are unknown, especially in future years (5-10+ years in the future). We have also maintained highly effective immunity to illness due to healthy lifestyles (the best prevention measures – far better than vaccines). P.S. I too had plenty vaccinations in the military (and have been 28 countries).
No propaganda ?????? Francisco just gave accolades to the US Health Gestapo in their provision of harmful , non tested poison ( look into the ingredients ) to a vast # of Guatemala people .
There’s already 70% of Americans who ” think like him ” ; why would you want even MORE to injest an experimental gene therapy jab of which majority of complications will transpire once the guinea pigs are introduced to any REAL virus wherein their compromised ( RNA ) immune systems will not counter the spike protein effects among other complications .
SADLY Les Fortunate (if that is your real name what a mess it probably was as a kid ) YOU R CORRECT,. TO PROVE YOURSELF CORRECT. TO TO CDC SITE .. OR search for “cdc vaccine development timeline’ /// SUMMATION… Vaccine development ..Overview, History, and How the Safety Process Works”””… I have been posting it for over a year now. Dr Schwam here.. We have no idea what long term issues/problems etc might BE.. WARP speed is still Science Fiction…. my prayer is still know one have long term issues. I will pass. and since I never take the annual flu shot am OK with that.
I’m with you Steven: I’ve had too endure the annual flu shot every year while in the Army, until they made it voluntary in the late 80’s (I always got sick from it)!! What they are saying about Coved – they said the same thing about the Asian Flu; the Swine Flu; the Bird Flu; N1H1 Virus; the West Nile Virus…!!!
It’s all a situation that the Socialists have blown out of proportion for the sake of Social Control!!!
Ingest is spelled I-N-G-E-S-T , Scholar.
Yes very good article.
Yeah, and 45000-100000 people have died from complications of the vaccine. Which of course IS NOT reported by the CDC. Still cannot figure why sane people would inject something into their systems that has that much of a chance of destroying you – I will not and am 78!
most likely … or they will and or have long term complication.
Dont have Feds force U to take vaccines, Hell read enough horror stories about vaccines that would have me NOT taking vaccine aside vaccine deaths alone.
Feds, Biden want U to take Vaccine
Ive been vaccinated X2
Maybe you should wait another week or so and then tell me how well the vaccines work and how we’re pretty much back to normal.
I agree with your statement about healthier lifestyles and get outdoors more often to get more Vitamin D. however “They” want us locked up inside. I am not anti vaccine but I am not confident in it. Never before have we been the LAB RATS.
Absolutely ! No mystery medicine in this arm.
Fools follow as instructed right over the cliff.
Francisco – did you learn to lie in college? What schmuck degree do you have? It is NOT true that “nearly all deaths are among those who were never vaccvinated.” For your info, it is NOT a vaccine! Tell us, what subject do you “teach”? I would bet it is not anything to do with science, because liberals/Socialists/Democrats are intelligent enough to take and pass courses in real science. Get lost!
Where is the so called spike? What are the numbers? It’s BS there is no statistically significant spike anywhere in the US. Why would you repete the Left’s lies?
Respectfully , I’m speaking of the spike protein devastation that will occur when human lab rats are introduced to a virus wherein their immune systems will be compromised . I’m NOT speaking of the spike in cases that the Left promulgate .
I don’t know where they got their numbers but it isn’t no 70% have been vaccinated!! I’m in Ga. and the town I live in is like only 30% have been vaccinated and they struggled to get that many! People refuse to take the jab of poison!! My Mother-n-law 83 got Bell’s palsy from it. Also to “I think” that’s why they are pushing so hard and trying to mandate it they can’t get enough of the population to take it willingly! Other countries are having massive protests against it! Just saying……
Very nice article I agree no one should be coerced into taking an experimental vaccine I have had really bad experience a friends 21 year old athlete son was told by the Uni that he should get vaccinated in Texas 3 days after the second jab he had a massive heart attack and was put onto life support fortunately he is out of Hospital now but can never do sport and will have to take heart medication forever I know 6 people that have blood clots after the second jab and 3 people that died within a week after having the 2nd jab In the UK 87% of people that have died of Covid in Hospital in the last few months have all been double jabbed Doctors Nurses Care Workers have all been threatening that they are not allowed to say what’s really going on with adverse reactions and are now being told they have to get jabbed Many are are leaving the profession as they feel this is intolerable We were told this was an experimental vaccine and everyone has a choice but now its turned into Medical Fascism and those people that chose to wait for the trials to finish are now being threatened to be cut off from society and should starve to death The Scientists openly admit they don’t know enough about the virus and they don’t know the long term consequences of the vaccines as they were not trialed on animals first . We will always need Blood Donors and people that have been vaccinated can not give blood because of the Spike Protein in the jab as they don’t know the long term effects I am very disappointed that peoples Civil Liberties and Freedoms are being stripped away and for the millions of people that have religious reasons will abstain will they be rounded up like in the Nazi Germany and stripped of all their assets and possessions and starve One feels as if something sinister is going to happen I am terrified for our children
Thanks for sharing your opinion. The fact remains that people’s medical decisions are their own personal matters, not to be forced or incentivized beyond encouraging people to do their research and do what is best for them. Unfortunately, that’s not the way the vaccine initiative is going down. Politicians have taken over, tyrants have seized the moment to grab power they will not return to the people and citizens are turning on each other in the most vicious ways — over the vaccine. And, it is not over as more variants emerge on the scene and the merry-go-round continues. The practice of medicine was never meant to be this way. Shame on our public health officials who have bungled this whole fiasco and made people suffer in ways the virus itself could never have done.
VERY Astute and Succinctly, Accurately Expressed, Barbara. Tip o’ the cap to thee!
Gavin Newsom should be kicked out of office!! He’s a terrible Governor!! He’s ruining CA!!
It has a 99.7% survival rate. Studies show you’re better off and safer to get covid and recover.
They said the same thing about the Swine Flu; the Asian Flu; the Bird Flu; N1H1; the West Nile Virus… as they have about Coved 19!!! I think it is nothing more then an experiment in social control!! I’m not doubting the Virus is real, I’m doubting their claims as too how bad it really is!!! If it’s as bad as they claim, then one third of the worlds population should be dead!!!
LIES
I HAVNT DECIDED YET IF I WILL GET THE VACCINATION. IVE HAD ONLY TWO IN MY WHOLE 87 YEARS AND IM MORE AFRAID OF IT THAN I AM OF THE VIRUS. I HAD A SUGAR CUBE MANY YEARS AGO WHEN POLIO CAME ON THE SCENE, I HAD MY FOUR KIDS EAT THEM TOO BUT THATS A DIFFERENT MATTER.
As of July 23rd here are some numbers from VAERS on people who HAVE BEEN vaccinated.
11,940 deaths
40,991 hospitalizations
65,067 urgent care
88,920 office visits
4,110 anaphylaxis
3,712 bells palsy
1,272 miscarriages
4,799 heart attacks
3,201 myocarditis
12,808 permanent disabilities
At the end of July, a Carnival cruise ship sailed from Galveston, Texas. Everyone on board – passengers and crew were vaccinated. The other day, they reported an outbreak of Covid cases on board.
What is clear is the fact that Covid – 1 thru 19 are like any other virus and have and will just have to run it’s course just as the never ending strains of seasonal flu. Covid itself it most times not the primary cause of deaths, but like flu can be present when patients with already existing serious health issues pass away. Yes, Covid can make some people miserably sick while the misery index can vary from person to person from mild to miserable. Early treatment can knock it out in the majority of cases and the association of “Frontline Doctors” have proven it in tens of thousands of cases with their treatment options and mostly without hospitalization.
The biggest threat from Covid is the fact it is being politically utilized for control and conditioning of the public to accept any directives from government regardless of legality or constitutional authority. THAT is the biggest threat from Covid, not the illness itself.
I have also refused it and I also had the virus. I was in the hospital for four days and it wasn’t all that bad. I wouldn’t trust this government to give me anything. Who knows what they are doing. They scream get the shot, then let all these people into our country carrying the virus, spreading it throughout the country. Piss on this government, they should all be held for treason.
Sorry no. Kevin Kiley worked the whole process of getting signatures, court filings, going to court and keeping subscribers updated on the process. He did the work while others sat on the fence watching and waiting to pounce on opportunity. This candidate has to be different from what we’ve seen with other do nothing politicians. Kevin Kiley did and he’s still doing. My vote is for him, regardless of party. It’s time to put people in place that really work FOR the people
I noticed in the whole article there was no mention of other actions that can prevent Covid 19. Look at what they did in India with Hydroxychloroquine and Ivermectin and D3 and Zinc. There was also no mention of all the serious side effects like Bells Palsy etc and several permanent other effects and death. The CDC has given out that information as well. Do your own research, and do ALL of it.
Thank you for a thoughtful, balanced op-ed. Most try to make it a one way OR the other, black/white and no in-between. In my opinion, it’s largely a gray area. So many exceptions to both sides. It struck me this afternoon that being a Christian and being a staunch American aren’t always tied together. Even Scripture says give Caesar Caesar’s and give God God’s. This falls to each individual to decide what that means for them. All things can be taken too far, further than was intentionally meant. I would hope ALL sides would find some balance and respect for one another regardless.
So many infected migrants being shipped into unsuspecting communities during the middle of the night by our scheming president. He is selecting states that are run by conservative leaders to try to besmirch their governing practices. The man is a snake.
You neglected to mention the therapeutics for Covid. Did your friends who contracted Covid get Ivermectin or HCQ?
If you want to take Frankenstein vaccine which is unapproved to ward off a virus which the CDC itself reveals is >99% survivable, then I pity you. Oh and by the way, this foreign bit of viral RNA can settle down anywhere in your body and wreak havoc, especially in your immune system. Adverse effects are being vastly underreported. We are keeping a list of acquaintances who faithfully vaxed and have come down with unaccountable neurological symptoms that their physicians cannot account for. And if the Vax hurts you, it will be difficult to prove and even if if you can prove it, you will have ZERO legal recourse by rule of law.
First I do agree with you on the freedom thing. I agree that you should decide what goes in your body. And I am all for you getting a vaccine if that is what you want. I am all for you wearing a mask if you want but after that I have many problems with your argument.
1) These people in control, who have indoctrinated many people don’t care about yours or anyones else safety. I suggest you look to history for examples. They didn’t care bout the American Indians health or safety. They didn’t care about the blacks or the Irish up north. They did care about our boys ib Benghazi, look to the many big business that have put out know bad products for profit not caring about people, ford and the 1/2 tank pinto. Let’s not forget
cumno and his and other dem governors putting supposed covid patients, well we do know that these people were sick, in nuirsing home. The result was killing many of the vunerable older people and nothing is being done about that. So your assumption about the vaccine and helping people is totlly false. This is about control and now fear drives people to be controlled.
2) The vaccine works. How do you know. Ypu ar assuming the everyone, or at least the vast majority of people, the vaccine stoped these people from getting covid. Now let me point out the obvious bad logic here.First we are going to have to assume that the covid tests work, which we will talk about soon but that is the assumption here for this argument. So if someone get the vaccine and didd not get covid then the vaccine worked, right? Maybe not because maybe the person already had covid and he show no signs, so his body got immune form having covid. Maybe the person taking the shot would never have gotten covid had he rolled in it and eat it, breathed it. Now there are know cases of people being vaccinated and getting covid along with even some deaths and other adverse effects. Now you have to admit that the media would keep these bad things from the covid quit because they do that about anything that goes against thoer narrative. Look no futher than than the orgins of covid. The was an engineered virus made in China at the Wuhan Lab and was “leaked”, i believe was released and is a bio-weapon and many of the US politicians were involved, was, by media accounts never released/leaked and anyione who believes that are conspircy nuts. Now we do konw that the Wuhan lab was the source whether leaaked or released. So obviously the media is NOT A REOUTABLE SOURCE OF INFO FOR ANYTHING COVID. The CDC is not tracking people that got the vaccine and any adverse events, nor anone who was vaccinated and gort covid again. In fact the CDC has no idea if the vaccine actually stops you from getting covid or of you had covid will that give you immuniity from covid.
3) masks, this will be short. Masks do not work. In fact masks are not good for you health when you wear one all day. Wearing masks have been shown to have determental effects on your resporatory system. The mask isn’t effective because it does NOT FILTER PARTICLES AS SMALL AS VIRUSES, PERIOD. It is like having screen doors on a sub. There has never been any SCIENTIFIC PROOF THAT MASKS WORK. I am rweviewing a study, full of language that supposedly defines and “supposedly assures the study no bias and accuracy” but have yet to see what I am looking for so I do offer this that these guys say that masks (mostly n(% and surgical masks along with eye protection that we have not discussed and the physical distance needed. Oh none of these samples were
4) Which bring us to science. I love the people, like you, that basically say I believe in science when you don’t even know what science is. SCIENCE IS NOT ABSOLUTE. There are scientist, medical personal, researchers on both sides of the covid hoax. When has science been wrong you ask? Lets go back to when the world was flat, I am fairly cettian that was wrong. What do you think?
5) I totally agree that a healthy life style, with more exercise, love the outdoors, eatting healthy although there is much debate on healthy eating as I known many older people that have eaten a country diet, some consider unhealthy, and have lived to a rich very old age. I also think that gaining a strong immune system when you are young. In my opinion getting this healthy immune system includes doing things we did as kids like eating vegtables out if the garden even radishes out of the ground with out washing them off, just wipping them clean, kinda. Now these vegs were not spraied with any crap. We drank water from hoses, god forbid and even though we were told to wash our hands, well we didn’t as much as some thought we should. We, today, are creating super germs with our unhealthy obsession for clean and percieved healty living.
Looking at the “Big Picture” I believe that there are people trying to destroy countries with America (US) being the big trophy. They are doing this because iof they can control everything then they have the power to do what ever they want. They think that they are the only ones smart enough to run the world and they want power and wealth, all pof it. They will do anything to get their agenda and “end game” wishes and nobody will stand in their way. Once they get thoer way the regular person doen’t matter as this regular person is there for these few controlers needs and wants.
It’s an individual choice whether to get vaccinated however you n should not expect us, the vaccinated to take extra steps to protect you, the unacceptable
This clown is saying that we need to be good little sheep and do the great thing for humanity. Why are you putting on stories like this instead of telling the truth about how many people have died and been made disabled from the poison poke? Has the commie crew gotten to AAN?
I have read this article several times, I am still uncertain where I stand, Reason: I went into the Military in 1966, forced out because of being disabled 100% in 2003, as a stupid naive kid of 1966 I trusted my government in those years I did things my government told me to do, they were not good. As I grew older I totally lost my trust in ANYTHING my government said or did they are all LIES. So now we have the CDC, the Federal Government, the various Federal Agencies and government paid private companies all saying this and that about the Covid and the Experimental Drug they call a vaccine. They vacillate hour to hour about what they say is good for us citizens. I cannot find anyone that holds the ground on FACTS except for American Frontline Doctors, they speak the Truth backed by actual indisputable FACTS regarding Covid19,
This article states a fair and logical point of view that really is hard to deny, but this article does not state actual provable FACTS like AFLD does. No I do not agree with anything my government or any government states about anything related to Covid or it cure, prevention etc . My proof is the experienced proven LIES I lived through for 37 years in the military, all lies. Do what you want to do, but DO NOT FORCE your beliefs on me, my family or any American. I would rather die than trust anything my government says.
No poison being put into my body. I will continue my probiotics and my life regimen which includes my trust and belief in God Almighty. The choice is yours but do your homework before taking the jab. Too many I know have taken the shot and have diagnosed with these virus and are now sick. I’m praying for their recovery.
Sorry, but you are pushing fear… yes the risk is there as the risk of dying in an auto accident..you need to add perspective to your story… like the thousands who have been seriously hurt by this JAB… and the thousands now dead due to the jab..thanks for sharing your personal experience but thst’s the point its just your “personal” experience.. i recommend your next article express more of the “facts” and less of the “fear”…
Everyone has the capability to make their own decisions, don’t need the opinion of some writer, that who knows may be spreading fake stories.
Consult with your DR. get a second opinion, investigate what is in the vaccine, are you allergic to the ingredients, opinions don’t matter facts only matter.
You are Nuts and have not researched a thing!!!!!!! Fools listen to fools…
Call it what it is! A Bio weapon designed to depopulate our World. The Jab was planned years ago. Check out the Rockefeller paper Scenario for Future technologies Lockstep 2010. It was always about their vaccine which alters you rDNA, gives you Covid and many have succumbed to death after receiving it, or suffered heart attacks, strokes, and infertility, heavy bleeding etc. Why were proven cures banned? Ivermectin, HCQ, Regeneron? Why if they genuinely cared, not inform the public of Vitamin C and D and fresh air, sunshine, heat from steamy showers?
Now @ frankspeech com Mike Lindell’s Cyber Symposium begins at 9am CT today. Help save all countries!
BRILLANT!!! JUST BRILLIANT!!! And COMPASSIONATE and a TRULY GREAT AMERICAN PERSPECTIVE. THANK YOU SO MUCH Francisco! You are the clearest minded person I’ve ever met ♥