By Steven “Mick” Watson / Herald Forum
Herald columnist Tom Burke’s recent column discussing attitudes of the vaccinated toward the unvaccinated was one more indicator of how vast the current epidemic of division and hatred has spread in America (“When patience wears thin, the ire runneth over,” The Herald, Dec. 6). One comment listed in Burke’s column summed up his feelings by saying, “We want you dead.”
Covid has no doubt touched us all. Death to so many, loss of jobs, businesses, dreams and hope. Rampant depression, suicide, fear, isolation and unhealthy living. Yet it can be hard to separate the effects of the virus from the effects of individual and governmental reactions to fear of the virus. And now it seems we are even increasingly having to fear each other.
I am unvaccinated. I had many discussions with health care professionals, including those who study how our bodies protect and heal themselves. I weighed the risks of the virus and the vaccine. I am aware of choices that affect my body’s ability to heal and thrive (exercise, diet, stress, etc.) I have been exposed to the covid virus (as well as the usual array of circulating viruses) numerous times over the past two years. When sick, I isolate, hydrate, rest and trust my body to do its job. Fear and panic only increase the impact of illness. As do obesity, smoking, drugs and alcohol, and an array of habits and choices. Most of these choices, however, are not subject to economy-crushing mandates and restrictions.
Vaccines are extremely valuable in eradicating crippling and deadly diseases, especially for those who are immune-compromised or suffer from congenital conditions that make them vulnerable. But vaccines can not compensate for poor choices that cost both lives and innumerable health-care dollars.
I know several people who have had adverse impacts from the vaccine, including lingering illness, tremors, paralysis and seizures. I have heard others speak of family and friends succumbing to unexplained mysterious deaths. Perhaps these are unrepresentative, but are we to completely disregard our own experiences in favor of what the media and political entities are telling us to believe?
In college I was taught a healthy skepticism for broad assertions, especially when emotions, money and power are involved. There is undoubtably an abundance of all three here. There is still so much to learn about immune functions, viruses and vaccines. I distrust those who declare what “The Science” says; as if science were a static monolith instead of an iterative process. Science inevitably changes.
I have been accused of many things: callous disregard for both the young and old (I am a former teacher, coach and nursing home volunteer), political extremism (I’m a moderate who votes issues, not parties), and of course, stupidity. Does wishing me dead add to this discourse? Does it help us to balance personal responsibility with governmental control, or to balance health concerns with economic well-being? These are hard times for all, but promoting division and intolerance of rational choices cannot be helping.
You may question my choices and even my logic, but please exercise caution when making assumptions about my motives. I want my community to be healthy, vibrant, tolerant and safe; and full of opportunity for fulfillment and prosperity. We need to listen and learn together in order to preserve both health and our rights. We can be better than this.
Steven “Mick” Watson lives in north Snohomish County.
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