I hate needles, love modern medicine
Get vaccinated is still better than getting sick, with COVID or the flu
A long, long time ago, when I first began adulting, I began to be given the opportunity to get a flu shot at work. The first year, I declined because “I’d rather get the flu.”
I didn’t like needles, then. Or now, really.
But I came around, mostly because my mom encouraged (editor’s note — nagged) me into submission. Then it was for my wife, after I began to have one of those in the house, and for the two kids who started hanging around our house all the time.
I don’t mind being sick. I’m North Dakotan, that way. Too tough to die.
What I do mind is seeing my loved ones get sick, especially if there’s something I can do to help protect them. Even if it involves a needle, which I already said I hate, but I’m an incredibly noble and selfless person, so I face fears on the regular for my family.
I have no idea what’s in the flu vaccine, each year that I get it. I’m told there’s eggs in there, and I’m not allergic to eggs, plus I think they’re mostly delicious.
Typically there are other chemicals in vaccination shots, with scary names like “Maltodextrin” or “E262 – Sodium Acetate and Anydrous, Sodium Diacetate” and … never mind. Those are chemicals in Doritos.
All of medicine is a “leap of faith,” when you think about it. I don’t know how aspirin works, or Ibuprofen or the high blood pressure medicines that keep my head from popping like a zit when I’m mad at the dog (editor’s note — damn dog). I haven’t “researched” the medicines doctors give to me when my traitor body breaks down. I take them because the doctor told me to do it.
So, anyway, doctors are telling me to get a COVID-19 vaccine, as are business leaders, friends and family. In fact the only ones telling me not to take one are commenters on Facebook who can barely spell “tyranny” correctly, so forgive me if I’m suspicious about their research methods.
Get the vaccine. It’s FDA-approved now. Or don’t, but if you aren’t going to, do me a favor and don’t comment all the reasons you aren’t. I’m afraid you’ll infect me somehow with your Interweb spittle.