The Covid Divide

 

Perhaps one of the most devastating and saddest part of the Covid is that it has split people into two camps (vaxxed and unvaxxed); families, friends, groups, communities, work places, and so on, are all affected by it. As a journalist and writer, I like to hear many sides to a single issue. Of course, there’s no other way to draw any conclusions and make up your opinion about something. So, I have researched both sides of the vaccine debate - both good and bad. I love to sniff out more than what appears at the surface and dig deeper. Of course, I try to remain objective, discerning, and also proficient in deciding if the story is worth its salt. So, I always have to check the source of what I am reading. I do this for come and go religious movements, Christian doctrines, books, and so on. I am very leery of much of what I read, especially on the internet and You Tube, so I have methods to check accuracy and so on. Mostly I pray and ask for God’s wisdom—this always works. I’ve done it for many years and will continue to do so in order to continue to produce credible blogs and books that people can trust.

 As for the debate about the vaccine, it is clear to me that there is a great deal of misunderstanding between the two opposing parties. The vaxxed believe the vaccine is a great thing and worthy of getting because doctors, the science, and the government have said so. They trust the authorities. They can’t understand why anyone would hesitate to get the jab. They think that all the posts, forwards, and literature out there that opposes the vaccine are conspiracy theories or just plain hogwash. They gladly got the jab and would do it again and again to stay safe and keep others safe, and because its the right thing to do. And they get all sorts of rights and privileges even though it comes at the cost of giving up their medical right to privacy when they sign up for the passport! Fair enough! I can certainly understand the reasoning. It’s wonderfully simplistic. Get the jab and you’ll get your life back, and you can keep your job, avoid ridicule, and go places again.  But there are definite flaws such as, it’s no longer effective against the latest strain, Omicron, and that boosters are inevitable because the efficiency of the vaccine are short-lived.  Also, unfortunately, many believe that the unvaxxed are responsible for the spread, but really, it could very well be the other way around since, at least in Canada, vaxxed are allowed everywhere with few restrictions.  The unvaxxed have been practically banished from society except to buy groceries and shop. And most still wear masks and social distance.

 The unvaxxed generally don’t trust the doctors, the science, and/or the government. They have likely read a great deal about the injuries and side effects of this temporary emergency vaccine, and know people who have suffered (and some died) after getting the jab. Plus, they see it as a never-ending mandate to get a booster, and so, why would they believe that the vaccines are efficient if you have to get a booster, and you still can carry the virus, spread it, and get it yourself? Many are health conscious and they take vitamin therapies and they believe their own healthy immune system can fight for them if they get sick. They follow mask wearing and social distancing, hand-washing and sanitizing, which have worked from the very beginning. I read of one unvaxxed city worker (mainstream media) who had Covid and she said her symptoms were very mild because she takes vitamins.  The huge downside to not getting vaxxed is the social isolation, ridicule, separatism and discrimination.  Many have lost their jobs.  It’s is being blamed for using up hospital beds even though they have every right to medical care that they paid for in their taxes.  They have just as much right as the alcoholic and drug addict, the obese and the heart attack victims. We’re all human and we all make choices, whether we agree with them or not.

 So, who is right and who is wrong? I can’t help but think how truly unbiblical, ungodly, not to mention inhumane to reduce a person’s worth to whether they are vaccinated or not. Such tactics are used by the tyrannical and power hungry, and look into history to see the terrible damage done to humanity by segregation, discrimination and dehumanizing people into something less than a God-breathed, God-loved human being!!  The holocaust comes to mind for one.  And to treat each other with such contempt over a vaccine! We are to rise much higher than that, especially if we are Bible-believing Christians. Judging one another isn’t our job! That is God’s department. One day, just as the truckers have to pull over and weigh in, we will have to weigh in to see what kind of “load” we are carrying. Will it be pleasing to God, or will it be a load bearing judgement, contempt, bitterness and anger?

 Eph 4:29  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Eph 4:30  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Eph 4:31  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

Eph 4:32  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

 And on that note, I hope I am forgiven if I have inadvertently offended anyone reading my posts. That was not my intent. God bless you regardless of your stand.