Northern Ireland reached a historic milestone this week when it was announced that a million people had now received their first COVID vaccination. Not bad for our wee country which has an adult population of approximately 1.5 million. Added to that, over 1/2 million have now received both doses, offering up to 95% protection against the disease.
The first jabs were administered just before Christmas and the United Kingdom has led the way globally in the efficiency and effectiveness of its vaccination programme. It’s been a rare success story for a government that has been often criticised for its lack of leadership and decision-making during the pandemic. The results have been impressive and the figures hard to argue with.
Infection rates, numbers of those hospitalised by the virus and death figures have tumbled. Vaccinations have undoubtedly saved thousands of lives and allowed us to edge towards normality as restrictions are gradually eased and we cautiously emerge from lockdown life. Yet still the tiny, but incredibly vitroilic, anti-vaccination minority continue to stick their heads in the sand and scream online about conspiracy theories and their precious rights being violated.
An increasing number are paying for these rights with their lives. Recent figures show a small, but sobering, number of people who are now seriously ill in hospital from coronavirus, having refused to avail of the vaccine. A fellow tweeter contacted me yesterday about personal experiences of patients denying the existence of coronavirus as they are placed on ventilators and transferred to intensive care units.
I struggle to understand the mentality and rationale of such individuals. It’s exhausting and ultimately a pointless exercise. I focus on my own family and adhering to scientific and government guidance that has served us well with regards the vaccination programme. It’s very hard for me to have any sympathy for those who refuse to avail of vaccinations yet still expect our besieged health service to battle to save them when their lives hang in the balance
Are you willing risk your life?
Black Thoughts 
Jude and I get our second jab today. 😊 I agree it’s a nonsense to deny what is clearly staring us all in the face. Europe is working on a Vaccine passport – that may change a few minds when non-vaccinated people are blocked from going places. They will of course scream that it’s against their civil liberties, but let them scream I say…
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Some of them are screaming all the way to the morgue.
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I hear you. The deniers (be it of the virus itself or the benefits of vaccines) are the biggest hurdle to completely overcoming this disease.
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Some very dangerous people
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Great Post! It is not worth losing your life.
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Thank you for understanding 😊
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Half of me says “wait”…. the other half of me keeps saying …. “hurry up, I need to see my mates”!
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Yes, it is a world wide phenomena, every country seems to have its deniers; a close relative’s ex husband who is well educated, a dentist, insists the whole thing is a conspiracy and was refusing to let his aged mother in a care home be vaccinated! We’ve nearly all been vaccinated in my family now, just one first jab and a few second to go!
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I also find it hard to believe that people will not be vaccinated. However, we have seen it for years in those who refuse to vaccinate their children for things like measles. Same mentality. Everything in life carries risk but it is up to us to decide which risks are worth taking.
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I have little time for such people.
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Thank you for posting about your journey of being vaccinated. As you know, I have been on the get shot bandwagon for some time.
I also do not understand how anyone would willingly refuse the shots (as long as there are no other health issues involved). I did my research before getting the first (Moderna) shot and believed I was doing the right thing by trusting the science.
I am still encouraging folks to get vaccinated, knowing full well that some are beyond reach. Posts like yours may help some folks to get off the fence.
Have a great weekend and I hope the new position at work is going well.
Chuck
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Thank you Chuck for preaching common sense from the pulpit. Science and faith can walk hand in hand.
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Nope. Or the lives of others I love. Yeah, you can still get it if you vaccinate, but you will unlikely need to go to hospital, which will open up beds for people who need life saving treatment for things like, you know, cancer. So just get the jab and maybe save not just your life and others from Covid, but someone who has a life threatening non-Covid condition.
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I know. It’s not exactly rocket science is it? But selfish people can’t see beyond their own shallow needs.
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I really don’t want the jabs. I don’t have insurance and I worry about having a bad reaction then ending up in the hostpial without care. Furthermore, I believe that Jesus is coming back. I think we are in the days of sorrows.
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Jesus will heal all of us for sure.
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But what about all the people who have died from coronavirus?
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Yes the loss cannot be filled but all I can say Jesus please stop this crises.
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What has Jesus got to do with vaccinations?
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Amazing writing skills 👌
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Thank you 😊
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A needed post. May it open the eyes of the unbelievers. The virus devastation and deaths are real, so is the effectivity of the virus. I’m back to normal which is taking care of patients in person without fear because the vaccine works. I hope others will do the same. Until we vaccinate most the world over, outbreaks will happen . Stay safe.
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Thank you for understanding. Much appreciated 😊
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How silly of me to think that the conspiracy theorists ended at the US borders. A necessary article, FF. (And nice to know we’re not alone)
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Not silly at all lol. Thank you and great to connect with you 😊
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Haha, everytime I think of anti-vaxxers, I remember one ancient philosopher’s favourite argument against democracy, was to simply find an average voter and have a 5 minute normal conversation with them. Sad reality tbh
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Great analogy. Thank you 😊
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We can only offer repeat the information that is available from all the reputable and learned sources, can’t we? Unfortunately even that is not enough for some. But you continue to inform, and to encourage, even amidst these some peoples refusal to see, and understand what we *are* in the midst of. Thank you for your courage to do that, and encouragement to do the same as we go about our lives.
Peace to you and your family, my friend. 🧡
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You’re welcome, Hamish. It’s frustrating to watch the behaviour of some people.
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