Is it Worth the Risk?

On January 20th, I thought it was worth the risk, and since I was able to get the first jab of the Covid 19 vaccine, I did. On February 24th, I got the second. Although I had a few minor side effects, as is common with many things in life, I am thankful to have gotten it. I would encourage you to get it when you are given the chance. I’d also suggest you check with your doctor, as I did, because each person has unique medical considerations.

I’m thankful to God, and also grateful to former President Trump, his administration, and the teams of doctors and scientists, who worked, and are continuing to do so, to create a growing number of Covid 19 vaccines, the outstanding and historic achievements of Operation Warp speed. To date, over 70 million people around the world have received Covid 19 vaccinations. In the United States, we are currently second in the world behind Israel, with 9.6% of our population now fully vaccinated, as vaccination efforts are continuing to expand.

History also reminds us that nothing comes without risks. During the Revolutionary War, America was in the midst of an epidemic of smallpox that lasted from 1775 to 1782. To protect his army from the dreaded and deadly disease, on February 6th, 1777, General George Washington ordered that his entire Continental Army be vaccinated, as he stated, “Necessity not only authorizes but seems to require the measure, for should the disorder infect the Army . . . we should have more to dread from it, than from the Sword of the Enemy." Sadly, some of his soldiers died from this effort, but the rest of his army was protected from the dreaded disease.

In 1916, the United States faced another deadly crisis. An epidemic of polio devastated New York City that resulted in the death of over 2,000. In addition, over 2,000 became paralyzed, and other parts of our country were also impacted, gripping our nation with fear.

Sadly, this was only the beginning of a decades-long devastation with a little-understood virus that impacted people of all ages, but was most devastating to children. 1952 was the worst outbreak in our nation's history, and sadly the development of vaccines took decades and didn’t come without mishaps. The disease so deeply impacted our nation, that parents became greatly fearful for their children, yet at the same time were inspired by FDR, and his March of Dimes campaign. Our own family was also impacted, as my father-in-law contracted polio as a 2 year old, and lived the rest of his life affected by it.

Thankfully multiple vaccines were created, and the most important one at the time was announced by Dr Jonas Salk on April 12, 1955.

As our own national history reminds us, from the Revolutionary War struggle with smallpox, to the decades-long fight against polio, and the current race to vaccinate our nation, all these events are of historic proportions. Widespread vaccination also appears to be the best way for us to break through this pandemic, the same way that vaccines have in previous times.

For my part I think it is worth the risk, but recognizing that everyone has different opinions, I’ll leave you to answer the question, is it worth the risk?