A google definition is; “a substance used to stimulate the production of antibodies and provide immunity against one or several diseases.”
Two definitions not dissimilar describing what a vaccine is. Today in Ireland, and other countries, we hear of the mounting tide of Covid-19 cases despite, certainly in the case of the 26 counties, where around 90% of those over twelve years of age being vaccinated. Upwards of 2,000 cases per day have been reported and this is at a time when the “pandemic” is no longer peaking! How can this be?
Back in early 2021 the cases were lower as were the number of people vaccinated so why is this happening? Either we were lied to in the first place about the efficiency and need of lockdown, which pissed everybody off though we went with it, or we are being lied to now and I find both these cases equally credible. Another reason for the surge could be the vaccines do not provide immunity or prevention to people from getting the disease! If this is the case, and it has to be one of the three or a combination of all three outlined, then the government are peddling a vaccine which is not a vaccine! This is not to advise people not to get the injection(s) because they should but perhaps the time has come for the 26 county Government to stop calling it a vaccine and maybe describe the jabs as “Covid Limitation Injections” an injection, or two, which severely reduces the persons chances of contracting Covid-19. Having people walking about believing, naturally, that they are immune, because that is what a vaccine does, is misinformation which leads to complacency.
While the 90% or so of us who have been vaccinated believing to be immune is dangerous. In fact, some time ago Dr Leo Varadkar, Tanaiste, in Dail Eireann once commented, regarding NPHET (National Public Health Emergency Team) concern over travelling abroad “if you have been vaccinated you cannot get the disease, you cannot therefore pass it on”: something he perhaps wishes he had not said. He has said much to the contrary since.
I know people who, which is their right, refuse to be vaccinated because they do not trust it. I think they are wrong but they should not, must not, be forced against their will to be injected. That would be a potentially very dangerous road politically to travel. One person said to me, “I have not been vaccinated and have not got the disease, my friend had the vaccination and still contracted the disease” though they did admit it was not as serious as may have been if they’d not being injected. For Christ's sake the government(s) and lackey media must stop telling people they have been vaccinated when, quite obviously and with only a cursory glance they have not. They have had their chances of developing Covid-19 greatly reduced and again I would strongly recommend people get this albeit limited defence. As somebody with an underlying problem I shall in all probability get the booster but that does not mean those who do not wish to should be compelled.
Despite the fact we have 90% injected, twice when needed, the government still talk about the possibility of another lockdown, though this is remote. One would have thought with the overwhelming majority jabbed, the word “lockdown” would be consigned to the dustbin of history. In Britain the Secretary of State for Health, Sajid Javid, is not ruling out another lockdown by Christmas. It is plain to see lockdown does not work, it did not work the last time (apart from driving people mad) so why, with such a high rate of injected people, would it work this time? Perhaps more prudent is why would we need another lockdown? Surely there should be no need for such a measure, unless it is another means of controlling people, making them do implicitly as they are told. Well, this time, should it occur ignore it. Get your jab definitely, but house arrest ignore. Publicans get onto your union, or equivalent, and formulate an emergency plan of action should it become necessary, in NPHET's eyes, for you to close again. Let’s hope not, but to continue having the piss taken out of us is beyond the pale.
Basically, governments are bereft of ideas, as are all of us, and so are their agencies in the case of the 26 counties, NPHET. To keep on trying the “same thing over and over again and expecting different results” is insanity (Albert Einstein). By this criteria of the eminent scientist we are led by lunatics, trying the same thing over and over again, like lockdown, and expecting a different result! What about future generations? When we are long dead, our future generations will have no immunity why? Because we have mollycoddled ourselves for too long. They will not thank us. The elderly and those with underlying illnesses, yes, protection is needed, perhaps even recommendations about where to go and where not. But young fit and healthy people lockdown probably does more harm than good, certainly to their mental state.
Perhaps the bottom line is the misinformation regarding what governments insist on referring to a “vaccine” is key. I have no doubt in time they will change the definition to suit their own narrative but at the moment the consensus of dictionary thought is a vaccine provides immunity or prevention. This one does not, alas, so perhaps redefine it as a Covid-19 reduction jab. If it reduces the chances of a person getting the disease by say 80% it is still worth having, and the reduction chances are probably a little higher.
Despite the fact we have 90% injected, twice when needed, the government still talk about the possibility of another lockdown, though this is remote. One would have thought with the overwhelming majority jabbed, the word “lockdown” would be consigned to the dustbin of history. In Britain the Secretary of State for Health, Sajid Javid, is not ruling out another lockdown by Christmas. It is plain to see lockdown does not work, it did not work the last time (apart from driving people mad) so why, with such a high rate of injected people, would it work this time? Perhaps more prudent is why would we need another lockdown? Surely there should be no need for such a measure, unless it is another means of controlling people, making them do implicitly as they are told. Well, this time, should it occur ignore it. Get your jab definitely, but house arrest ignore. Publicans get onto your union, or equivalent, and formulate an emergency plan of action should it become necessary, in NPHET's eyes, for you to close again. Let’s hope not, but to continue having the piss taken out of us is beyond the pale.
Basically, governments are bereft of ideas, as are all of us, and so are their agencies in the case of the 26 counties, NPHET. To keep on trying the “same thing over and over again and expecting different results” is insanity (Albert Einstein). By this criteria of the eminent scientist we are led by lunatics, trying the same thing over and over again, like lockdown, and expecting a different result! What about future generations? When we are long dead, our future generations will have no immunity why? Because we have mollycoddled ourselves for too long. They will not thank us. The elderly and those with underlying illnesses, yes, protection is needed, perhaps even recommendations about where to go and where not. But young fit and healthy people lockdown probably does more harm than good, certainly to their mental state.
Perhaps the bottom line is the misinformation regarding what governments insist on referring to a “vaccine” is key. I have no doubt in time they will change the definition to suit their own narrative but at the moment the consensus of dictionary thought is a vaccine provides immunity or prevention. This one does not, alas, so perhaps redefine it as a Covid-19 reduction jab. If it reduces the chances of a person getting the disease by say 80% it is still worth having, and the reduction chances are probably a little higher.
I am no Immunologist, far from it, but the figures speak for themselves. They talk about saving the Health Service, forgive me if I’m wrong, but I thought the Health Service is there to save, or try their best to save, sick people. I understand the pressure all health services across the globe are under but misinformation leading to complacency does not help at all.
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Caoimhin O’Muraile is Independent Socialist Republican and Marxist |
One thing this pandemic has highlighted for me is the absolutely abysmal nature of scientific knowledge dissemination to the wider public.
ReplyDeleteCaomhin has a good point regarding what a vaccine actually is and isn't.
Politicians have weirdly promoted it as a 'cure' when it's far more accurate to say it's a means of gaining an advantage if you contract the virus. Look at small pox. People who have been inoculated still get it but to a far LESSER severity level compared to the soul whose immune systems simply has no tool kit to fight the virus off with.
The same is true with the jabs for COVID19.
BUT....it is extremely effective at keeping you from being hospitalized or dying, and this is were the politicians have fucked up the message.
They all are invariably narcissists at Government level and want to be the top dog who gives the public it's pandemic panacea. And just to boost their own ego or votes.
Anyway, be well Caoimhin.
Caoimhín,
ReplyDeletedon't mean to be too pedantic but there's a difference between inoculated, vaccinated and immunised.
Inoculation is any situation where a pathogen or an antigen is introduced into a living entity. This is sometimes carried out in order to bring on a disease for research purposes (thankfully firstly in animals and then with human volunteers in trial phases) or as in our current scenario to stimulate disease resistance.
Vaccinations are an inoculation with a modified virus (or with mRNA) as a preventative measure. Sometimes, as with the polio vaccine, they do confer immunity but with others, such as with tetanus, only offer short term protection with periodical boosters required when a fresh risk arises.
Good article, makes good points. The fundamental issue right now isn't the efficacy of the vaccine although that is desperate for transmission and questionable for severe illness if vaccinated can still die from it however we should support the access to safe and effective treatments for the betterment of humanity always adhering to the principal of informed consent and not dividing society.
ReplyDelete