Cohen: Decisions about COVID vaccine impact others

In recent weeks, I have encountered a number of people in Sun City West who say they not only have not gotten a COVID vaccine shot, they don’t intend to get one.

One person said to me it does not matter to her whether or not she gets COVID-19 because she has had a good, long life and if she gets the virus, that’s okay with her. 

In my opinion, while everyone has the right to make their own decision concerning whether or not to get a vaccine shot, no one has the right to potentially get others sick. When I got my vaccine shots and when I have worn my mask, it is not just about me — it is about protecting you and others.

Friends of ours in Sun City West recently told us their adult age child has not gotten the vaccine and does not intend to get one. I am concerned that when our friends visit their child, even though our friends have gotten their vaccine shots, they could get COVID-19 and, while perhaps not getting very sick from it thanks to the vaccine, they could pass the virus to others. The science has shown that even if you have had the vaccine shots, you can still get COVID trapped in your nasal passage without knowing it and pass the virus around, again not even knowing it.

Again in my opinion, I think it is a good practice to think of others and not just yourself when it comes to important decisions such as the one I am writing about.

For anyone wondering who am I to issue such an opinion, I am writing this on the one-year anniversary of when the chief of medicine at a hospital in New York died after getting COVID-19, even though he was walking the halls of the hospital fully suited up with a mask, face shield and surgical helmet. At age 72, he knew he was putting himself at risk getting involved in the fight of our lifetime but he said he needed to do all he could to help his staff take on the waves of cases hitting New York City, the COVID epicenter early last year. After getting COVID-19, this amazing doctor lost his life after eight weeks on a ventilator.

For this doctor and other medical personnel who gave their lives from coast to coast and around the world in the battle against COVID-19, which is not over, we need to do all we can to avoid this deadly virus. Let’s do it for the brave medical personnel in Sun City West and the surrounding area still in the midst of this battle.  Do it for those you love, do it for your friends and do it for our community.

Editor’s Note: Gary Cohen is the host of the Rec Center Show on 103.1 KSCW.