Justus, thanks for voicing your honest opinion and for mentioning Thalidamide. I have a friend who suffered a "thalidamide" deformity so this issue is always on my mind. For me (I'm a working nurse), there has been no time for long term trials for this vaccine. And I DO NOT EVER EVER follow the advice of our government. They have wavered, been caught in lies, and will do anything, ANYTHING, to further their purses, power, and careers. I am making my own decision on this and choose to not get the vaccine. Many of my peers are doing the same. To each his/her own. If/When we are mandated or forced to get the vaccine, our great country is in grave danger. I'm afraid there are people on this forum who would push to make this a mandated vaccine. Thank God we can still make our own decisions on matters such as this. I did not interpret your post as others. It was a "take it or leave it" - long winded statement. Thank you.

That's true. But it was marketed to the medical community and Mom's in particular ... as a safe, effective, remedy for nausea. Did not pan out well for many newborns and their Mom's. But it took years for this to be evident. That was my point. We don't know what the long term effects will be as it relates to the 2 month clinical trial of the vaccine. Just sayin'. Drug companies, pharma companies, governments . . . all have their reasons for pushing their products through.

1. You DO follow the advice of our government. They advise you to file a tax return every year, if you fall into the category of "most people." Unless you refuse to pay the voluntary income tax that they advise you to pay, in which case not my problem if you get audited some day.

2. You accept lots of mandates already. If you choose to go to certain countries, you agree to abide by certain vaccine mandates. Refusing to go to a country "BECAUSE" they require you to be vaccinated is a pretty dumb reason to refuse to go. There are much more intelligent reasons to refuse to go to those other countries (such as - I don't want to - which is a perfectly intelligent reason to not go).

3. Cutting off your nose to spite your face is childish behavior.

To a certain degree, I agree with your sentiments very much. And I respect your right to refuse the vaccine. I have never had the flu and I haven't had a flu shot 50 years. BUT....I still got the Covid shots. Why? Because I don't consider the flu to be as dangerous as covid. I may be wrong. My spouse is a cancer survivor, high blood pressure, and diabetic. I am protecting her, .....maybe. She had the shots also, but I am being doubly careful since we are so close. In the military, we had many shots and every time I went overseas, more. Yes, I have had some side effects from shots, such as sore arm, fever, etc. I know there are some guys on here that received the "GG" shot in the rear, that know what I mean when I say that it felt like someone inserted a plug of cement in my bum, and especially felt it when I hit the rack later that night. But, I digress. I did a lot of reading and research about the vaccinations. I see them as a revolutionary step in vaccine technology. I sincerely hope that there are no lingering side effects. But, like I have said in other threads, if I have a negative reaction 20 years from now, I will be in my 90's and still alive. I am not getting the shots for me, or my neighbors, friends, etc. I am getting it solely for my spouse, to give us both a chance of enjoying our limited longevity (oxymoron?) in the future.
I too worry about the gov overstepping it's authority, by mandating more and more of our lives, but that is political and I will stay away from that, less I cause an early termination of this thread.
I respect your decision to decline the vaccinations, and you will probably be fine.....probably. After all, the chances of catching it right now is very low. The chances of survival if infected is very high, and if most everyone else around you is inoculated and immune, then you will stay healthy without having to take the chance of long term after effects of the vaccine. However, IF you should contract the virus there is a chance that you will die a nasty long suffering demise, with a hose in your mouth keeping you from complaining, and no family or friends to comfort you during your last miserable days. But, that probably won't happen to you, right?
I have no doubt that if I would have been infected, that I would have shrugged off the virus in a couple days, if symptomatic at all. However, now I don't have to consider that, do I?
Have a great life, and stand by your principles, because I am sure there are others like myself that applaud your tenacity.
I am 100% sure that now, my spouse and I can cross that worry off our list of concerns in our twilight period.

Thalidomide was a drug not a vaccine.

This is not the first time that an mRNA vaccine has been used in humans. The first human trial of an mRNA vaccine began in 2009 in a small group of patients who had prostate cancer. Overall, that mRNA vaccine was well tolerated and had a good safety profile. In 2013 a clinical trial began of an mRNA rabies vaccine in healthy human adults. This rabies trial was important because the safety requirements for a vaccine in a healthy population are more stringent than those for a vaccine being used to treat a disease. The study ran from 2013-2016, and continues to collect long-term safety data. But overall, this vaccine was deemed generally safe and tolerable. mRNA vaccines are now in use in clinical trials for HIV, the Zika virus, and influenza. Scientists project that the Covid Vaccines which are based on the same methodology will be highly unlikely to have long term side effects. Sure, we won't be 100% sure until we complete years of study, but since we need an emergency vaccine, the evidence is there to make using it a no brainer when we have had over 500,000 people die in this country during this pandemic. There are no short term effects, and longer term data we have at present suggests it will be safe as well, to combat a very deadly virus.

Thanks for this information. I recalled having read somewhere that this vaccine has been in use in some form for many years, and studied and approved, and that the covid-19 vaccine is a variant of an already proven vaccine. It's not a completely new vaccine that was rammed through the pipeline without sufficient testing. I just couldn't remember where I read that.


I did read that the reason this was able to be approved so fast had to do with cutting through a lot of bureaucracy and providing sufficient financial aid, not approving a vaccine that hadn't been sufficiently tested.

Fact remains that vaccinations are lowering the death rate and infection rate

Agreed. Anyone who believed that the vaccine was a one-and- done really is confused. It's like spraying for mosquitos in the south. You have to do it repeatedly.

Well, my only comment is the the vaccine may be required by many countries and possibly be required to fly on an airplane.

The choice may very well be between being a part of humanity or staying at home.....

That was quite some time ago and a tragedy. That was an anti-nausea medicine and Covid-19 is a vaccine to keep this particular virus from killing you and giving you other things like blood clots and strokes and an unusual and awful pneumonia.

Drug companies make drugs to help people get better and to save their lives. They are not evil. They are manufacturing companies and they do make money.......and in so doing provide a lot of jobs as well. We have got to stop eating up every exaggeration and inaccurate fact we are presented. I think they overcharge sometimes but they aren't out to kill us or to hurt us.

AND while I am sorta on this subject. Folks who use the term " Big Pharma" are often under the influence of a lot of what I call quackery from alternative medicine, taking supplements that make those people tons of money as well. Go to a doctor you trust who has a traditional medical background and do what he/she says to do. Now remember I am not a medical person, just someone who tries very hard to find the truth.

The only problem I have with Big Pharma is so many drugs they make for those of us with hypertension and high cholesterol, not to mention others, do not cure the condition but put you on a path of taking a pill for the rest of your life.

And we will be taking our second dose of the vaccine later this week and grateful to get it.

You also have to do your part by not creating pools of standing water. Similarly to wearing a mask, washing your hands, and social distancing with regards to preventing a virus, you have to do some preventative stuff of your own, even after you spray with pesticides.

For -many- (not most, not all) people, the "cure" for hypertension and high cholesterol involves changing your diet and exercise regimen. There are millions of people in this country who suffer needlessly from both, who could -not- suffer at all if they just changed the way they lived. For those people - who -could- be cured but choose not to, there are drugs. For people who -can't- be cured with diet and exercise, there are also drugs.

Also, high cholesterol isn't an illness. It's not something that can be "cured." Just like a natural deficiency in Vitamin D3 - you can take D3 to supplement and bring your levels up, but if you stop taking it, your levels will drop again. There is no "cure" for a Vitamin D3 deficiency. There is also no "cure" for a cold. And there's no "cure" for many many other physiological malfunctions.

That doesn't mean "Big Pharma" is doing something wrong. It means for those things that can actually be treated, Big Pharma is doing its best to treat them.

But don't just dump the lack of a "cure" for high cholesterol and hypertension on Big Pharma.

From BBC online news regarding false vaccine claims.

Coronavirus: False vaccine claims debunked - BBC News

This is a good link!

My problem with these posts is that many of them are encouraging people NOT to get the vaccine, and essentially telling people to play Russian Roulette with their LIVES!

Here is another link just released about the J&J vaccine.

Coronavirus vaccines: How J&J's is different from the others

This also dispels the myth that people have died from the vaccine. NOBODY has died from the vaccine - and there have been very few allergic reactions. Sure there have been a few people who dies after getting the vaccine, but not related to the vaccine. And considering it can be up to 4 weeks before you are protected, it's still best to be cautious and use common sense.

Don't buy into the rhetoric from people who claim to be nurses or doctors or whatever. Read the facts please!

We don't want anyone to hesitate at a chance to protect themselves.

Interesting:

Getting vaccinated applies a selection pressure, because mutations that help a virus avoid detection by the vaccinated immune system will have an advantage over versions of the virus that don’t include that mutation. So, a virus that contains that mutation is more likely to reproduce and spread to other people.

In most viruses and disease-causing bacteria, the use of treatments and vaccines causes them to evolve ways of escaping them so they can continue to spread. Those that develop resistance to a treatment or can hide from the immune system will survive for longer to replicate and so spread their genetic material.

Immunizing about 60 percent of a population within about a year, and keeping the number of cases down while that happens, will help minimize the chances of the virus mutating significantly.

Ultimately, COVID-19 continues to spread across the globe and more new infections means more opportunities for SARS-CoV-2 to evolve. The virus can't evolve without us -- indeed, it can't survive without us. The simplest way to prevent new variants from emerging is preventing the virus from spreading at all. Our efforts will need to be focused on speeding up the vaccine rollout across the globe and continuing to practice the distancing and hygiene measures we're already adept at.

When everyone in this country that wants to be vaccinated, has been vaccinated, I am through wearing a mask and social distancing. The rest of the country should as well. Everything should be re-opened and we should return to life as it was before.

At that point, if someone contracts the virus because they have not been vaccinated, that's their problem. The rest of the world shouldn't have to be trapped in these protocols because in order the protect the few that decide that they won't get the vaccine.

If we all die from the vaccine, then you'll have the last laugh. I doubt it, but I'm willing to risk it rather than risk the virus and live the rest of my life with these restrictions.

I totally agree with you. I have said all along that I refuse to protect the anti-vaxxers once everyone who wants the vaccine has been vaccinated. For those who can not take the vaccine for what ever health issues or allergy they have, they must be responsible for their own protection. They can continue to wear the masks and socially distance from others. Sorry, but I will not continue to feel the necessity to protect others at that point. My mask will come off and I will no longer avoid crowds any more. I'm waiting for our government and the experts to tell us when they time will be. Until then, I'll continue to wear a mask indoors and stay clear of others at all times.

absolutely!

I have heard the same thing about vaccinations and transportation services. Pretty soon if you want to board a plane, take a cruise, etc. you'll have to present an official card, or a "vaccine passport" in order to travel.

Global Warming effects are right NOW in our face. It IS HAPPENING NOW! The fires in Ca. are an example. Miami Beach floods on a high tide, never before. The freeze in Texas is due to warming distortion in the polar regions allowing artic air to drive further southward than in years past. It is NOT something that if happening in the future, we see effects of it right NOW! people get confused about the Texas COLD. Scientists say that it is easier to understand it by calling the phenomenon "Global Weirding".

Not impressed with your background as helpful to the discussion at hand. You can conduct yourself however you choose but for heavens sake, stay far away from me.

No question of Global Warming. My issue is the lot of money thrown at it that doesn't work.

To the OP and others with a similar sentiment:

Thank you for opening a space for someone else who truly wants the vaccine.

Hubby is singing,”Keep that Covid going. How can you stop all the fun we’re having?” La,la,la,la,la. “I fought the Covid, and the Covid won!”

Safety first
 

You actually believe that you’re safe AND willing to bet the lives of your offspring on that, huh?
There may be ramifications to that when/if one of you gets a variant and it races through your non- masked; under protected household and takes a life.
Covid vaccine causes anaphylaxis?
Well, smoking caused CANCER, COPD, HEART DISEASE AND DISGUSTING TEETH AND BREATH. Ever smoke? Drink?
WT heck is your point?
I’ll go with [U][B]REVERSIBLE[/B
Anaphylaxis anytime.

Masks and gloves for keeping families alive.
BTW: Nurse for 45 years, here.

Safety first
 

You actually believe that you’re safe AND willing to bet the lives of your offspring on that, huh?
There may be ramifications to that when/if one of you gets a variant and it races through your non- masked; under protected household and takes a life.
Covid vaccine causes anaphylaxis?
Well, smoking causes CANCER, COPD, HEART DISEASE AND DISGUSTING TEETH AND BREATH.
Ever smoke? Drink?
WT heck is your point?

I’ll go with REVERSIBLE
Anaphylaxis anytime.

Masks, soap and gloves for keeping families alive.
BTW: Nurse for 45 years, here.

The only think you have control over is wearing the mask. Social distancing and crowd size are not under our control without jeopardizing someone's business or job. Someone else makes those decisions. Herd immunity depends on vaccinations, the fewer vaccinated the longer it will take. The longer it takes those that are risk averse will stay away from groups which are needed for businesses to thrive. People lose jobs because their businesses don't have enough traffic. One or two small shots or that ego killing mask have a bigger impact then just perceived personal freedom.

A, nobody's threatening anybody to take the vaccine, and B, as to this guy's second statement, tell that to the families of the 500,000+ people who have died.

I of 3 people in the US KNOWS someone who died of CV. The British variant is in 19% of US cases today and RAPIDLY growing.

Fix the CV problem quickly 1st. Then the business economy can flourish.

[QUOTE=coffeebean;1909633 I'm waiting for our government and the experts to tell us when they time will be. Until then, I'll continue to wear a mask indoors and stay clear of others at all times.[/QUOTE]

The government and experts you are waiting for are the same government and same type of experts that announced it was safe for first responders to enter ground zero at 911, the same government and same type of experts that said there is no connection between Agent Orange and cancer, etc., etc. Our government does not care about us, they have their own agenda, which is of primary importance to those in power. All said IMHO.

Well, the US tried to close down a year ago. Instead everyone got invited to Chinatown because people said that the US was over-reacting to the virus.

I work with Veterans and am an officer of an American Legion post with 900 members. We've lost nobody at all. The question always comes up - do you know anybody who died as a direct result of Covid.

Nobody knows anybody. I am not downplaying the issue in any way. Sure, a couple people have died. Overweight, smokers, with diabetes seems common. But no ramrod healthy individuals. None. I'm sure there are some, but they seems to be so incredibly rare that nobody knows any.

But when you take in comorbidity and other factors?

Point very well taken. I personally know someone who is suffering the after effects of Agent Orange. I'm not going to comment on the first responders at ground zero as I have no knowledge of what actually transpired and what they were actually told by our government.

Having said that, I still trust Dr. Fauci and other expert epidemiologists, immunologists and virologists that the vaccines are safe for human "consumption" and will give us the light at the end of the tunnel with this pandemic. I am putting my trust in the people who have devoted to their lives in a valiant chosen profession of epidemiology, immunology and virology. I also trust the pharmaceutical companies who used modern technology to develop these vaccines. I trust the process which has brought us this far in this war against an invisible enemy.

I'm not without pause that there may be some risk involved with exposing myself to the mRNA vaccine but it is a risk I am willing to take. For me, the benefit outweighs the risk. I made the decision to be inoculated. Every other person on this earth will be faced with making that choice also not only for themselves but their children .

Life is a crap shoot. Choose wisely and I hope you make the correct decision for yourself and your family.

I didn't know this guy personally, but I did see him perform on Broadway. His wife, who is also a performer, claims her husband was very healthy with no commodities. He put up a valiant fight before he died of Covid, including having a leg amputated that he was unaware of because he was in a coma. His name is Nick Cordero.

Broadway Actor Nick Cordero Dead at 41 of Coronavirus - The New York Times

This is Nick performing "T'ain't Nobody's Business if I Do" in "Bullets Over Broadway". He opens the number and that is his real life wife that he hands the gun to in the beginning......
68th Tony Awards Performance Bullets Over Broadway - YouTube

Nick Cordero. Dead at 41 from Covid, NOT with Covid.

ANY government can make SOME mistakes. People make mistakes ALL the time. The government gave us Social Security which no one except maybe an upper 1% er would complain about. We get free roads. We get improved weather reporting with weather satellites. We get protection from invasion by Russia or China. We get protection from external and internal terrorism. We get protection from criminals and criminal gangs. The US government system is set up to balance or neutralize any power grabs from one branch or individual. The Supreme court and the Justice system as a whole prevent power abuses. Free speech and free media are encouraged. I will stop, but I could have gone on and on. Yes, the system is NOT perfect, but NOTHING is!

EVERYONE will die. Every single person on this planet will die. Take death out of the equation completely, because it has nothing to do with anything. And yes, I know one person who died.

Instead, consider how many people will live with health problems that they didn't have before they got COVID. I know several people who have lasting health conditions as a direct result of the virus. Including my own sister.

So stuff it.

I got the 1 out of 3 people from reading the NY Times. And they were talking about nationally. I assume (?) that they took a survey. The same article showed a graph of the 19% of new cases caused by the British variant. I consider the NY times to be a good source. Many in TV Land believe otherwise. I also believe that the US has had over 500,000 deaths DUE to CV - not something like that I have read on this forum - like someone died because they were pushed by the tooth fairy off of a cliff, but it statistically became a CV death because those big, bad, greedy Hospital Administrators corrupted the statistics to get more money. That is the BS, the fairy dust. I also believe what I see and hear on CNN and MSNBC. So, if some don't like that - then so sad, too bad, go pound salt (whatever that means?).