To Vax or Not to Vax?

So, God, everyone seems to think they know exactly what you think about the whole Vaccination thing.  And, it doesn’t matter whether they’re anti-vaxers, or pro, if people have a belief, a key part of that belief is quickly becoming that you agree with what they think about the matter. It’s like whatever they believe about it is part of their religion.
 
Nothing’s changed.
 
What do you mean?
 
People have always been convinced that I agree with their pet beliefs. Nothing’s changed.
 
Ok, so at the risk of having ten percent of the people hating me (the anti-vaxers) or 90% of them chasing me down (the pro-vaxers), I’m sort of keen to know where you actually stand on this matter.
 
Brave move.
 
What, to ask you?
 
Yes, very.
 
Why so? Everyone else seems to have asked you, they certainly all think they’ve heard what you have to say on the matter.
 
Doing it in public, that’s the brave bit. Whatever I tell you is going to offend someone.
 
Why does what you say always seem to offend someone?
 
Human nature. It doesn’t matter whether it’s me saying it or someone else, when someone says anything that goes against what you sincerely believe, it offends. It’s hard for that not to be the case.
 
Ok, so I have friends who have given up their jobs in order to stay true to their belief that you are against the vaccination. And I have other friends who have had all their shots and believe you’ve told them to do that. Who’s right?
 
Both. In most cases, both are right. The anti-vaxers have asked me if it’s ok to not get vaxed and I’ve said yes, because it is ok. And the pro-vaxers have asked me if they should get vaxed, and I’ve said yes, because if that’s what they believe they should do, then they should do it. But the sad truth is neither group has asked me the next question.
 
The next question?
 
The next question is, ‘would it be better if I get vaccinated?’. The first question, 'Should I?' or, 'Is it ok if I don’t?', in both cases the answer is yes. Then, like children, having heard the yes, they run with that, refusing to discuss the matter further with me, but both sides are wrong about one thing, I’m not on anyone’s side.
 
God, you sound more political than the politicians. Politicians always play both sides of the issue, they say plenty and mean nothing. They glad-hand and snake around issues, but avoid making a clear stand.
 
Yes indeed, that’s often true.
 
But now you’re worse than them, God!
 
How so?
 
I asked you a question, a straight-up, black and white question about the Covid Vaccination. I asked you who’s right, the anti-vaxers or the pro-vaxers.
 
And I answered. Both. That’s the truth.
 
Whatever, God. That’s such a weak people-pleasing answer! 
 
It’s in my nature to please. I died to prove it, but that’s a conversation for another time. Right now, your black and white answer, if you want to hear it, is ‘both’. Both the anti-vaxers and the pro-vaxers are right. 
 
Good grief. How can the pro-vaxers and the anti-vaxers both be right?
 
Simple. Each is standing up for what they believe.
 
Yes, but one group must be wrong, surely??
 
How so? Why does one group have to be wrong?
 
Because their views are such polar opposites, one must be true and the other wrong. 
 
I have news for you, news that applies to the Covid Vaccination, but more importantly it applies to so much of life.
 
Ok?
 
Both groups are right, the pro and the anti-vaxers, they’re right, both of them, because they’re standing up for what they believe. That’s more important than the vaccination itself. 
 
How can that be true, for goodness sakes, God?? If the pro-vaxers are right then, as they put it, it’s simply a common-sense prevention measure, just like the polio, measles, tetanus and TB vaccinations, and it might just prevent covid ripping through the population and killing thousands.
 
It already has in many parts of the world.
 
So, what, are you pro-vax??
 
I’m not on any side, I’m just stating facts. People should be free to stand up for what they believe, both sides, the pros and the antis. But the fact is that Covid has killed thousands and will kill thousands more. The drug companies are not part of some devilish conspiracy to rob people of their freedom, they’re just focused on one key thing, making money! The only way to do that long-term is to develop a vaccination that works. They’ve done their best to try and develop one. There’s no long-term financial gain for them in a vaccination that doesn’t work. If this vaccination doesn’t work, the world’s governments will be forced to cancel the drug company’s contracts and look for another solution. 
 
Ok, but if the anti-vaxers are right, then this is stripping us of our freedoms, forcing us to take medicines that don’t help, and robbing us of our jobs and freedom to travel and meet together.
 
Yes.
 
Yes what?
 
Yes, the government is taking away those freedoms from you if you don’t want the jab.
 
So you agree?
 
I just said that, yes, they’re taking away some of your freedoms. 
 
So, the vaccination must be wrong?
 
I didn’t say that. Taxation takes away your freedom too, it robs you of your freedom to keep all the money you have earned, but I made it clear I was comfortable with paying fair taxes, without which there would be havoc. The road rules take away your freedom to drive how and where you want, aviation law takes away your freedom to take to the skies where and when you want. 



People should be free to do what they want, but only provided that what they do doesn’t rob others of their freedoms or endanger them in any way. If a person refuses to pay taxes they should be happy not to benefit from all the services provided by taxation revenue , services like roading, free health-care, lower medical and drug bills, free schooling etc.
 
You’re not being clear, God. A person could read what you’ve just said as meaning you agree with the anti-vaxers, and just as easily that you agree with the pro-vaxers. 
 
And they’d be right. I do. I agree with them both.
 
Ok, then, for goodness sakes. Is the vaccination effective?
 
That’s a medically proven fact, you don’t need to ask me that, no, it’s not a cure-all, but the evidence, if you examine it without prejudice, is that yes, in many cases it is more effective than not taking it. Your question is whether it’s right to oppose the vaccination, or advocate it. And the answer is both are right. People should be allowed to express their views.
 
Good grief you can be frustrating, God, it’s like talking to a woman, no straight answer. 
 
Of course. I am like a woman, and like a man too for that matter. 
 
Fine, here’s a better question then; are the government’s rulings that make it difficult to eat out, travel, get a job without a vaccination pass robbing people of their freedoms?
 
Yes.
 
Well, that must be bad then, surely? You’re pro-freedom so you must think that’s bad.
 
Yes, I’m pro-freedom, but here are a couple of things to consider. First, when the apostle wrote that you should obey the ruling powers because they had been put there by me, they were referring to Nero, one of the cruellest emperors in human history. That might be confusing for you, but it’s true. 

The second thing you need to understand is this; removing some of the freedoms of those who exercise their right not to vaccinate is not as bad as forcing them to vaccinate. Would you agree?
 
Well, yes, ok.

And, technically, the government could do just that, they could force you to vaccinate, they have access to systems that would make that possible without you even knowing, but they don’t because that would be against their constitution which promotes personal freedom. 

Your govt…
 
They’re not my Govt, God, I don’t even like them.
 
Yes, they are. Your vote, or lack of it, puts them in power. ‘Your Government’ has been presented with evidence that suggests the vaccination is the best available way to slow the virus’s spread.

Not only that, but the best research suggests that the unvaccinated will be significantly more likely to spread the virus to others, and to get sick themselves and to overload health services. 

The ruling powers have less freedom than you do. They have to make decisions that, based on the available data, seem to them to be the most likely way to protect the health of the greatest number of people.

You have more freedom, you can choose to accept the government’s measures or not. And both choices are right, a person must have the right to choose.