Such a great post! I’m with Judy! Social Contract. Thank you for this. I am speaking to a group of Emergency Nurses today on battling Compassion Fatigue, (secondary Trauma etc. etc.) who are tired tired tired and now angry when caring for unvaccinated patients (and it’s beginning to become a ethical dilemma for them). I love reading - I am breaking open my ethics books and reading up on the social contract concept!
"Jane you ignorant slut" (SNL ? Dan Akroyd?) Sorry, but I have to push back. I think it is a gross oversimplification to state that the Portuguese are more vaccinated because they are wonderful people that care about each other, and Americans are self-indulgent Narcissists that don't care about others (although some of that is certainly true). I think there are a myriad of reasons why Americans resist being vax'd, and its about time that our government drilled into the data to try to understand it. I am fully vax'd as well as most people that I know, but I can appreciate that some are unwilling to be vax'd because they already have had Covid, or they have spoken with their doc and decided against it for medical reasons. Which leaves us with the big group that "has no good excuse". Unfortunately, this does follow race lines a bit, as people of color are much less inclined to be vax'd. It could be due to availability, or perhaps even distrust of the government (gee how?), but its largely unknown. We also have nurses and doctors that are avoiding the vax, which to some seems crazy, but its a question that is begging to be asked. Until we stop beating each other over the head with "I'm good" and "You're evil" and start the discussion on "seriously, why aren't you vax'd ?" this will probably be an infinite loop.
Here's another thought. Just finished reading an article in The Washington Post about the four conservative talk show hosts that bashed the vaccine and all died of Covid last month. It would appear anti-government sentiment also plays a big part in this matrix of insanity. The government “acting like Nazis”, “another form of government control of the people", etc.
Yes, I am an ignorant slut...I hear you about "blaming and preaching". I read a piece on Chris Christy speaking with anti-vaxxers rather than preaching to them. He made some excellent points.
Perhaps this is an oversimplification...but I do think societal norms and culture have contributed to the choices made. Extreme "Individualism" in the US has contributed to this as well as gun laws, etc.
At the same time, an Axios/Ipsos Poll shows 80% of respondents said they would be vaccinated if their employer mandated it, vs 68% if one's employer did not. Purse strings perhaps?
Perhaps I can find a philosopher to help me with this.
You had me with Chris Christy. Regarding employer mandates, I think its equally fascinating to see the number of people (some nurses and docs) willing to be terminated rather than succumb to vax; that's some serious commitment. I neither support it, nor understand it, but its interesting.
I am, and have been, struggling with wanting to understand the resistance to being vaccinated that we see here in the states, mostly because I do subscribe to the idea of being part of a social contract where my rights to do whatever ends at my neighbor's equal rights to be safe. I have to confess that right now, my sympathy lies with all of the people who have to put their lives and safety on the line because of the group who won't vaccinate themselves - and to be clear I'm not referring to the segment of the population who can't be vaccinated for legitimate medical reasons, as I feel those are the people who rely the most on my upholding that contract.
I have genuine concern about the US losing health care workers who feel they need to leave their line of work due to the trauma that Rachel mentions, for both their pain, fear and suffering, as well as everyone who will have to deal with the restrictions that will naturally occur if those health care workers don't return to the field of health care, or aren't able to be replaced.
As someone who worked around hospitals most of my life, and did a brief stint consulting on nurse staffing ratios...I concur that I have never been so concerned about health care worker burnout as I am now. New nurses have seen more death in their first year than a nurse would typically see in a lifetime. This takes a toll and it is just not fair.
I think most Americans are socially conscious and do the right thing (most of the time). Unfortunately, the past administration, disinformation on social media and supposed “news channels” has either exposed or emboldened millions of Americans who care little for anyone but themselves and their own. Their selfishness is highly evident by their willingness to disregard – and even fight against - our laws, science, truth, morals, and common sense.
This is why millions still question the 2020 election and everything about Covid 19. There is ample evidence to make informed opinions and choices – but they are not interested because reality is irrelevant if it doesn’t personally suit you.
Many in the GOP spoke out after the 1/6 insurrection, but quickly changed their tune after realizing most of their constituents simply did not care. That our democracy was almost toppled was (and is) of much less importance than the fact their candidate lost. That it was society’s will to have a new president was immaterial to their personal wishes.
Such a great post! I’m with Judy! Social Contract. Thank you for this. I am speaking to a group of Emergency Nurses today on battling Compassion Fatigue, (secondary Trauma etc. etc.) who are tired tired tired and now angry when caring for unvaccinated patients (and it’s beginning to become a ethical dilemma for them). I love reading - I am breaking open my ethics books and reading up on the social contract concept!
Marvelous. Two words I’ve rarely heard during the vacc wars in the US: common sense. Now I’ll add yours: social contract.
"Jane you ignorant slut" (SNL ? Dan Akroyd?) Sorry, but I have to push back. I think it is a gross oversimplification to state that the Portuguese are more vaccinated because they are wonderful people that care about each other, and Americans are self-indulgent Narcissists that don't care about others (although some of that is certainly true). I think there are a myriad of reasons why Americans resist being vax'd, and its about time that our government drilled into the data to try to understand it. I am fully vax'd as well as most people that I know, but I can appreciate that some are unwilling to be vax'd because they already have had Covid, or they have spoken with their doc and decided against it for medical reasons. Which leaves us with the big group that "has no good excuse". Unfortunately, this does follow race lines a bit, as people of color are much less inclined to be vax'd. It could be due to availability, or perhaps even distrust of the government (gee how?), but its largely unknown. We also have nurses and doctors that are avoiding the vax, which to some seems crazy, but its a question that is begging to be asked. Until we stop beating each other over the head with "I'm good" and "You're evil" and start the discussion on "seriously, why aren't you vax'd ?" this will probably be an infinite loop.
Here's another thought. Just finished reading an article in The Washington Post about the four conservative talk show hosts that bashed the vaccine and all died of Covid last month. It would appear anti-government sentiment also plays a big part in this matrix of insanity. The government “acting like Nazis”, “another form of government control of the people", etc.
Great post Nancy! Please check out this video when you have a minute. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRgNQkDgpTY
Thanks…i am no longer surprised by videos coming out of the States
Yes, I am an ignorant slut...I hear you about "blaming and preaching". I read a piece on Chris Christy speaking with anti-vaxxers rather than preaching to them. He made some excellent points.
Perhaps this is an oversimplification...but I do think societal norms and culture have contributed to the choices made. Extreme "Individualism" in the US has contributed to this as well as gun laws, etc.
At the same time, an Axios/Ipsos Poll shows 80% of respondents said they would be vaccinated if their employer mandated it, vs 68% if one's employer did not. Purse strings perhaps?
Perhaps I can find a philosopher to help me with this.
You had me with Chris Christy. Regarding employer mandates, I think its equally fascinating to see the number of people (some nurses and docs) willing to be terminated rather than succumb to vax; that's some serious commitment. I neither support it, nor understand it, but its interesting.
I am, and have been, struggling with wanting to understand the resistance to being vaccinated that we see here in the states, mostly because I do subscribe to the idea of being part of a social contract where my rights to do whatever ends at my neighbor's equal rights to be safe. I have to confess that right now, my sympathy lies with all of the people who have to put their lives and safety on the line because of the group who won't vaccinate themselves - and to be clear I'm not referring to the segment of the population who can't be vaccinated for legitimate medical reasons, as I feel those are the people who rely the most on my upholding that contract.
I have genuine concern about the US losing health care workers who feel they need to leave their line of work due to the trauma that Rachel mentions, for both their pain, fear and suffering, as well as everyone who will have to deal with the restrictions that will naturally occur if those health care workers don't return to the field of health care, or aren't able to be replaced.
As someone who worked around hospitals most of my life, and did a brief stint consulting on nurse staffing ratios...I concur that I have never been so concerned about health care worker burnout as I am now. New nurses have seen more death in their first year than a nurse would typically see in a lifetime. This takes a toll and it is just not fair.
I think most Americans are socially conscious and do the right thing (most of the time). Unfortunately, the past administration, disinformation on social media and supposed “news channels” has either exposed or emboldened millions of Americans who care little for anyone but themselves and their own. Their selfishness is highly evident by their willingness to disregard – and even fight against - our laws, science, truth, morals, and common sense.
This is why millions still question the 2020 election and everything about Covid 19. There is ample evidence to make informed opinions and choices – but they are not interested because reality is irrelevant if it doesn’t personally suit you.
Many in the GOP spoke out after the 1/6 insurrection, but quickly changed their tune after realizing most of their constituents simply did not care. That our democracy was almost toppled was (and is) of much less importance than the fact their candidate lost. That it was society’s will to have a new president was immaterial to their personal wishes.