...We can do the simple things keeping ourselves clean and washing our hands and coughing in our shoulders and not go out if we are sick or coughing and getting tested if necessary and if you can stay home a bit more as well...
Like wearing a mask. Like taking a vaccine that has been developed in one of the most capitalist companies of this country (Pfizer).
What I don't get is this: you are of the age (ok, I presume) that you remember the joy of getting the polio vaccine because it works, because it prevented polio, because it was tested and safe. Or at least it was much, much safer than the option of running the risk of getting polio.
The covid vaccines are tested SO MUCH more than what was standard back then, our standards and protocols are so much better now.
The vaccines prevent death, even if not all infection. They do so particularly well, at 95 pct efficacy, which is larger than most vaccines out there.
I wish that those refusing the vaccines would be ineligible for hospital care. To save some of the unnecessary, aggravating strain on those working in medical facilities, such as my wife. The impact of seeing most people you treat die, suffocate, alone - THAT is what you are doing. If you pass away, that is the consequence of your choice (it is entirely preventable!), but why is it ok to burden others to care for you when you suffocate away.
Same with the hurricane here. Everybody agrees that you have the freedom to do as you want, but if you go out on the ocean now, you'll be on your own.
In the medical field, it is the kindness and selflessness (the psychological impact is HUGE) of those working there that people that don't get vaccinated are abusing.
Again, you come here for advice on your stove. Why? These are experts and we all learn from them. The researchers at Pfizer and the CDC and the FDA (etc) are experts too. Not following their advice (while following the advice from hearth.com) is just utterly inconsistent.
Rant over. It upsets me greatly.