It's Thursday and I'm still not a werewolf…at least, any more than I ever am. A couple of folks have written to inform me or link me to articles that tell me that side effects with the Moderna vaccine are more likely with the second dose than with the first. They still seem unlikely and the ones described seem well worth it if it means not getting the whole, nasty illness.
One friend wrote me that they were choosing not to get vaccinated because they don't want to put a strange substance into their body. I've known this person to put some pretty strange things into his mouth, including substances that were supposed to induce strange side effects but I guess he sees a distinction here.
He also wrote, "It's my body and if I want to take the risk, that's my right." I suppose it is but let's remember that it's not your right to infect others and that "herd immunity" — which would mean that this crisis is just about over — is defined thusly…
Herd immunity is achieved when large percentages of a population become immune to a disease and therefore indirectly protect those who do not have immunity. If, for example, four out of five of the people who are exposed to someone with an infectious disease are immune to it, the disease is much less likely to spread.
The fewer folks who get vaccinated, the more the plague will spread and kill more people and keep vast portions of our lives shut down…and the longer it will take to be rid of it. Just because you have the right to do something doesn't mean you should do it.