Opinion – Guest Column – Joe Prendergast – Vaccine Tyranny
September 20, 2021
Recently, Governor JB Pritzker has issued a decree requiring institutions of higher education in the state requiring that, very soon, students and employees to show proof of Covid vaccination, or be subjected to testing. President Joe Biden announced his intention to use bureaucratic, administrative means in an effort to force private business employing 100 or more people to require their workers to be vaccinated or face testing requirements (one can almost hear James Madison rolling over in his grave). These tyrannical measures are not only unethical and unreasonable, but also dangerous.
I know that this piece incite certain invectives that have become all too familiar. However, such epithets prove one of my reasons for dissenting against this madness. People who have decided against receiving the Covid vaccines are being and have been treated as evil, vile, second-class citizens
As much as the Unvaccinated (capitalized because of their status as a sort of reviled social class) may be portrayed as stupid conspiracy theorists, there are plenty of logical reasons for their concerns and hesitations. These reasons may be hard to find online, as Big Tech has done the work of censoring viewpoints and stories contradictory to the acceptable narrative, which is itself is a reason to be skeptical.
For all the talk of “following the science” from the governor, the president, and the public health establishment, they have strikingly ignored one key factor in all of this: natural immunity. It appears that natural immunity, gained from previous infection, is perhap stronger than that from the vaccines. (Editor’s Note: The CDC said in August that the most recent credible studies show COVID-19 vaccines provide stronger protection than previous infection.)
The arguments for forced vaccinations and compulsory mask wearing that invoke concern for the protection of those who have received the vaccine against those who have not seem to contradict the political class’s own narrative regarding the vaccines. If the vaccines are so effective and great, then why must one who has received them still worry?
I would support the notion that the vaccines do reduce the risk of severe illness and death from Covid, and may make it less likely that one contracts the virus. So if the vaccines protect those who have gotten them, and those who really want the jab could have gotten it, then why all the fearmongering?
The argument that invokes diseases such as polio and smallpox, and how the triumph of those vaccines does not seem valid to me as polio and smallpox are, generally, significantly more threatening Covid.
I am not saying that Covid poses no threat whatsoever especially for the elderly and those with comorbidities. Not so much, it seems, to relatively younger people in relatively good health (although I am not saying there is no chance). Why must we ignore these crucial facts and distinctions?
I am not telling anyone whether they should or should not get the vaccine. However, I am saying that it should not be the decision of unelected bureaucrats and tyrannical politicians.
Jim Smith • Sep 30, 2021 at 1:31 pm
Im not taking the vaccine sorry.
Joshua Perry • Sep 25, 2021 at 10:18 am
Thank you for speaking the truth. I don’t speak about this much… but I am a recently medically retired combat veteran. I was injured in combat and have had friends killed. We fought for the freedom of choice. Our freedoms are being trampled on by dictators via executive orders. I am not anti vaccine! However, before i take a vaccine I want to be sure there are no long term effects. There are no long term studies, so why are politicians pushing this so hard? Pretty alarming really. Institutions can’t stick up for themselves and do what is right. Stop the madness.
Ben • Sep 24, 2021 at 11:41 am
thanks for speaking the truth after cod’s recent “safety measures” im considering leaving even though its my last semester before I graduate. I wont get bullied into taking an experimental drug I still feel unsure about and still don’t know all of the long term implications of. Its unfortunate that COD has caved into the peer pressure and is willing to remove students already dying freedom and confidentiality.
Lesli • Sep 23, 2021 at 4:05 pm
I want to give much gratitude for this article, it’s very much needed to be expressed. I have 3 simple words, FREEDOM OF CHOICE. Our constitution is to protect WE THE PEOPLE, from tyranny like the one in the current administration. Last time I remember we live in America and we Americans have freedom to do, think and even say whatever we please. If you really want a government to govern you completely, go out to Venezuela or even Cuba. In a socialist/ communist country, you are property to the government & they do with you as THEY please. Don’t sit there & say no, I have family that fled those countries & of course respectfully legally. So again you want government to be “your daddy” get on that plane with a one way ticket & fly off to Venezuela or Cuba. And because that will not be done, then you respect what this country was founded on and respect the medical decision that EVERY AMERICAN IS ENTITLED TO. Put this into perspective, 9/13/2021 was the met gala in California, let’s not forget the Cali was one of the most strict states with covid policies. Cali is still overrated with covid policies including required masks. Then you have this event with elite celebrities not wearing masks, no social distancing, while again this state (California) still having masks requirements in place? Another perfect example, we have an invasion happening at our southern border of illegal immigrants and yet they aren’t being required to be forced to wear mask or even vaccinated (and don’t say no Jen Psaki stated that herself when asked by reporter Peter Doocy)? So its okay for elites & illegal immigrants to have preferred status & WE THE PEOPLE (AMERICANS)/ REGULAR JOES, IS OKAY TO BE TREATED AS SECOND CLASS CITIZENS? NO! And I’m absolutely tired of this education system falling into the footprints of tyranny like this governor of IL & the Biden administration. Don’t forget, we the people pay for this, we run the show, & it’s absolutely disgusting that COD is going into this flow. You know what “we the people” have to do, leave! How else are we all going to wake up these political charged institutions if we are all here still. No! COD, you want our money then you respect us & stand up for us. All this that’s happening is unconstitutional PERIOD!
Steve • Sep 22, 2021 at 2:57 pm
Boiled down: I don’t want to take the vaccine because even though it is safe and effective, my vaccine views are being molded by right wing news and social media. It’s the response of a child, not someone who sees a responsibility to the community at large. There is no conspiracy by Big Tech and the government to prevent you from learning the truth. The science is clear at this point. The vaccines work. They are overwhelmingly safe. Refusing to take the vaccines allows the virus to continue to spread and mutate, creating opportunities for it to become more lethal and evade our defenses. This piece boils down to “I don’t want to take it, so I won’t.” If you don’t want to be mocked for behaving like a toddler, then grow up. Being part of civil society means you have responsibilities to people other than yourself – and if you can save one life (other than your own) by doing simple things like masking and getting the shot, then it’s worth it. Yes, I’m judging you. More than 675,000 Americans are dead because Trump and the GOP, along with right wing media have made masking and vaccinations a political point instead of encouraging their followers to follow the best science can tell us about how to protect ourselves and others. My response is not going to change your mind, and more people are going to die because you’d rather believe Fox News and social media than the best information we have about how to stop the pandemic. How many more have to die before you’ll be a part of the solution? Pat yourself on the back. Well done.
Jason • Sep 22, 2021 at 2:43 pm
I get what you’re saying about the demonizing of people who don’t get the vaccine, but “natural immunity” isn’t a valid reason to dissent. This argument hinges entirely on the idea that everyone should just allow themselves to get the virus, trust their bodies to fight it off successfully, and then probably have natural immunity afterward, which in itself isn’t quantifiable.
The fear for those vaccinated still exists because most of us have lives and families and come into contact with young children or the elderly, the former of which aren’t even allowed to take the vaccine, and the latter of which may have other conditions which make ANY illness more dangerous to them than to younger, healthier people. Are those two groups simply acceptable losses in favor of banking on natural immunization to come through?
Roger R Smith • Sep 22, 2021 at 2:23 pm
I see the following problems with the author’s points:
Natural Immunity – Allowing a population to develop natural immunity through the spread of an illness was the only approach we had before science discovered and developed vaccines to combat diseases. Prior to that, humans were subject to diseases such as bubonic plague, smallpox, Spanish influenza, measles, etc. Although natural immunity can be very effective after it is developed, who wants to pay the price the get that immunity. Please consider that the diseases of Western Europe decimated the native populations of the America’s before they could develop natural immunity. We should not be expected to pay that price when there is an effective alternative.
If the vaccines are effective, why should vaccinated people be worried about unvaccinated people – Over 90% of the people being hospitalized are not vaccinated. So, the vaccines are effective. However, viruses naturally mutate as they infect more people and reproduce. The more people infected, the more mutations that develop. That is how the delta virus emerged. 6 months ago, no one had it in the US and now 90% of the infections are delta. It is much more contagious and possibly more lethal. The vaccinated people becoming infected now are being infected by the delta virus. If we continue to have large groups of unvaccinated people, then we have higher chances of new mutations developing that could be even more contagious and deadly. That is the reason we need to get everyone here, as well as the rest of the world vaccinated.
Vaccines are only important for the elderly and those with co-morbidities – Those groups are certainly at higher risk, but we are now seeing hospitalization of younger and middle-aged patients with no previous history of health issues. Even though many of those people will survive, we are also seeing increased numbers of people with long haulers syndrome. We do not know all the risks associated with Covid, but I for one do not want to find out what other issues may be caused by Covid.
Conclusion: It’s unfortunate that it is taking a mandate from the President and our governor to force people to get vaccinated. Getting vaccinated should be considered a civic duty because:
• There are too many areas where hospitals are filled beyond capacity because of unvaccinated Covid patients. As a result, other people with serious illnesses and injuries can’t be treated.
• We need to stop the spread of the disease to prevent more virulent and deadly strains of the virus from developing.
This is not an academic exercise and should absolutely not be a political issue. It’s a matter of life and death. We have lost over 650,000 Americans to this disease. Too many people are not realizing the deadliness of this situation until it is too late, and they are being put on a ventilator. Look at the young children who have lost a parent, the grand parents who won’t be around, the parents who have lost a child to this disease. They know how serious this is. Step up – get vaccinated because it’s the right thing to do!
Anthony Intini • Sep 21, 2021 at 4:32 pm
Was this proofread?
Editor • Sep 21, 2021 at 5:01 pm
Note from the editor: The authors of letters to the editor and guest columns are not part of the Courier staff. As such, they are not proofread for spelling or grammar. That is the responsibility of the author.
Joe Prendergast • Sep 21, 2021 at 2:58 pm
Well, according to your own source, the Covid mortality rate is only 1.6% across the board irregardless of age and health. Do not get me wrong, one death is a tragedy in itself but are we really willing to mask kids and force people to inject themselves with medicine they do not want for a virus with such a low mortality rate (even lower when the elderly, who have had their chance to receive the vaccines). What is the end goal? Zero covid?
Lucas • Sep 21, 2021 at 1:22 pm
In 1905 the Supreme Court in Jacobson v. Massachusetts held that “in every well ordered society charged with the duty of conserving the safety of its members the rights of the individual in respect of his liberty may at times, under the pressure of great dangers, be subjected to such restraint, to be enforced by reasonable regulations, as the safety of the general public may demand” and that “real liberty for all could not exist under the operation of a principle which recognizes the right of each individual person to use his own [liberty], whether in respect of his person or his property, regardless of the injury that may be done to others.” Furthermore, the Court held that mandatory vaccinations are neither arbitrary nor oppressive so long as they do not “go so far beyond what was reasonably required for the safety of the public”
Mary • Sep 21, 2021 at 1:12 pm
Wow, someone who speaks the truth. I for one appreciate you speaking up against the discrimination and ostracizing of people who believe that government is for the people, not the other way around. No one may be forced into medical experiments. I’m not sure how that was forgotten so quickly but when no one speaks up, it only accelerates.
Erin Cetera • Sep 21, 2021 at 9:01 am
https://www.reflector.com/opinion/letters/letter-covid-19-relatively-benign-compared-to-what/article_5707e74d-7ae7-5d22-8808-630db9bb4834.html
This well-researched opinion piece counters the argument that “polio and smallpox are, generally, significantly more threatening Covid.”