Chris Freind: Why vaccines and mandates make sense
Shakespeare would be proud.
In a modern twist on the Bard’s famous soliloquy, we’re now asking: “To mask, or not to mask?” and “To vax, or not to vax?”
Those are the questions, which have become vitriolic wars among Americans.
Solving this issue really should be a no-brainer. If those resisting masks and vaccines would just stand back and take a breath, without politicizing, they’d realize that common sense, along with a healthy dose of reality, is the best prescription for returning America to normalcy. Here’s a look: 1) A refresher is in order. Far from “just the flu,” this pandemic is the worst the world has seen in over 100 years. More than 625,000 of our fellow Americans have died from COVID, exceeding the total U.S. military deaths in World Wars I and II, Korea and Vietnam, and the wars in the Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan - with room to spare.
Yet the whole thing is still just a “hoax,” as some still incomprehensibly claim a power-grab orchestrated by Joe Biden and the left, pharma, the media and Big Tech. Yeah, sure it is.
This column challenges the COVID-deniers to get off their plump derrieres and, instead of acting like tough guys on social media by pedaling disinformation, go visit ERs for a first-hand look, and talk with the infectious disease doctors who are battling to unlock COVID’s secrets to stop the carnage. Following that, they should have the gall to meet, faceto-face, family members who have lost loved ones, and tell them that the whole pandemic is a farce.
Yeah - didn’t think so. It’s much easier to shoot one’s mouth off behind the safety of a keyboard than to actually do the research needed to find the truth. You can’t win an argument with a fool - and that’s exactly what they look like to everyone outside their small echo chamber. Most disconcerting is how many people, spanning every financial and educational demographic, actually believe the bunk they’re spewing.
2) The hypocrisy of the political anti-vaxxers is stunning. Many of these people align themselves with right-leaning Republican ideals, yet when push comes to shove, they act like the domineering leftist control-mongers they love to hate.
One of the underlying principles of true conservatism is espousing a “live and let live” attitude, where you don’t involve yourself in other people’s business unless it adversely affects your life.
Since the pandemic began, many of these misguided souls refused to wear masks and comply with mask mandates issued by both governments and private entities. Fine. Dumb, but fine. But what’s inexcusable is their delight in publicly demonizing those who do. From politicians, pastors, media hosts and celebrities using their platforms to shame and exclude mask wearers, to those causing chaos aboard planes, to regular Joes screaming at people in stores and restaurants, these people have become part and parcel of the Wave of Intolerance that they claim to abhor. To them, the vaccinated are nothing but sheep who must be ostracized.
If someone chooses to wear a mask or get vaccinated, that’s their fundamental right. And since neither of those things affects anyone but themselves, why the harassment?
Ironically, these people fail to realize that it is they who are the biggest roadblock to normalcy. By spreading crazy conspiracy theories about the vaccines, from microchips to 5G activation, they have persuaded millions to remain unvaxxed, effectively crushing the goal of herd immunity. As a direct result, variants such as delta and lambda have gained intractable footholds that would not have materialized had more people gotten the jab. Brilliant.
3) To be very clear, no one is saying you must get a vaccination. That is one’s personal choice.
However, actions have consequences.
You want to remain unvaccinated? Fine. But don’t expect your life to remain unchanged. During this pandemic, many Americans have shown themselves to be entitled brats, exuding an “I’lldo-whatever-I-want, whenever-I-want” attitude regarding safety protocols. But it’s quickly becoming the end of the road for that mindset.
Think you have a right to fly, cruise, or take public transportation without getting the jab? You don’t. Have grand delusions that your company can’t request vaccination records or mandate the vaccine as condition of employment? Think again. Believe you will be able to frequent schools, hotels and sporting events while remaining un-vaxxed? Keep dreaming.
Private entities have every right to require proof of vaccination.
And employers absolutely, positively are within their legal purview to mandate vaccines and masks. Don’t like it? That’s okay but you just won’t be working there anymore. No one is putting a gun to your head to get the vaccine. But you can’t complain when a business institutes such a policy.
Just as a company can mandate attire, working hours, and job requirements, so too can it protect its bottom line, and the health of its employees, by requiring vaccines.
4) In Florida, so-called conservative Gov. (and possible presidential contender) Ron DeSantis has politicized the virus in an apparent effort to appeal to the national Trump base. In doing so, he is acting more like an authoritarian Democrat than free-market conservative. His most egregious error was signing legislation that outlaws private entities, schools and government offices from requiring proof of vaccination.
“In Florida, your personal choice regarding vaccinations will be protected and no business or government entity will be able to deny you services based on your decision,” he said.
How wrong he is.
As a Republican, he should be promoting the free market, so that businesses that cater only to the vaccinated thrive, as do those having no issue with one’s vaccination status. His shortsighted law, which should be challenged on its constitutionality, could prove the death knell to the Sunshine State’s cruise industry. A COVID outbreak on a Florida-based sailing would end the outing before it started, ruin vacations, possibly infect thousands (which could overwhelm the port city’s hospitals), and potentially push the cruise lines into bankruptcy.
That lack of judgement, at a time when Florida leads the nation in delta variant cases (with one of five new cases originating there), shows that, at least for now, Ron DeSantis isn’t ready for prime time.
5) The NFL is the bestknown entity to weigh in on vaccinations. For the first time in forever, this author can say “job well done” to Commissioner Roger Goodell, who instituted substantial penalties for a COVID outbreak stemming from un-vaxxed players. From mandating players lose their game-day checks to both (yes, both) teams, and thus, owners, losing their revenue, the Commish means business.
Mr. Goodell made it very clear that he wants an uninterrupted season. Some critics claim that it’s all about money, and that the “rights” of players who eschew vaccines are being trampled upon. Answers: “damn right,” and “not true…you can play in Canada.”
Money makes the world go ‘round, and all well-run businesses make it their business to keep the cash flowing. Deviating from Commissioner Goodell’s policy would be fiscally reckless, and jeopardize the health of countless people.
Now if only he would mandate standing for the Anthem …
5) How pathetic that elements on both sides are politicizing a pandemic, rather than unifying on common sense policies to mitigate the crisis.
We reap what we sow. By enabling this virus’ longevity through an unwillingness to acknowledge fundamental scientific truths, we failed to give America the shot in the arm it needed to spike COVID into oblivion.
Too bad there’s no vaccination against self-destruction.