May 4, 2021
For the last fourteen months, the citizens of my town, my county, my state and my country (and the rest of the world) have been subjected to the unwanted dictates of runaway governments. As I see it, the rules for managing this covid (aka, China flu) are in constant flux. I’m now hearing we must all be vaccinated before the world will be safe again. And maybe before we will be allowed to travel. Or shop mask free. Or be allowed to sit in a full stadium with other sports fans.
The internet is full of contradictory information about the three vaccines the pharmaceutical companies rushed into production. The big questions: Are the tests for covid reliable? Does the vaccine work? Will it give long term protection? What are the long term effects? Can a person get covid again? If I have been vaccinated, can I still infect other people? Do the cheap masks we all wear actually do any good? If I have had covid, am I immune?
I took this set of questions to my good doctor, a person whose specialty is internal medicine. I started in on the questions by stating I thought I had covid in March of 2020.
Q: Could I be tested to find out?
A: Yes, but the tests are not totally reliable. False negatives and false positives are common.
Q: If I have had covid, am I immune?
A: Not necessarily.
Q: If I am vaccinated, am I immune?
A: Not necessarily.
Q: If I am vaccinated, can I get covid again?
A: Yes
Q: Why then should I be vaccinated?
A: To reduce the impact of covid on your system. Maybe.
Q: Will I have to be vaccinated more than once?
A: Yes
Q: What are the long term effects of the vaccine?
A: We don’t know yet.
My good doctor said, “If you really want a vaccination, you can get one at the Fair Grounds,” without actually telling me to do so. So I didn’t, but it looks to me like I’m in limbo: Damned if I do and damned if I don’t get a vaccination. Doctors disagree, and no one knows what the long term effects will be. Some doctors, perhaps a majority, think we should all take a chance on the vaccine. Others think the risk outweighs the benefit.
I think I’ll wait a while and try to keep my immune system as strong as possible. For now, I’ll take my vitamin D3 daily, and get on with life. Maybe this Fall when flu season rolls around, I’ll think about trying the vaccine. Maybe.
God Bless and protect us all. And not just from covid. I think I fear my government more than the China Flu.
Rod
Hi Rod,
A son-in-law in Boise recently asked about your books, since we (wife and I) live in Lakeview OR. I have to admit, I’ve not read you yet, but will. I think our paper, the Lake County Examiner, wrote about you a few years ago, but I didn’t catch up on your work at the time.
Now I’ve come to look at your website and I wonder how you relate to Lakeview and the county. History?
I’m commenting on this particular blog post because I’m kind of sad to see your opinions about Covid-related things. I should mention, I’m one of the 20% here who did not vote for the former president.
The thing I keep thinking about with people our vintage (I’m 74), back in the Fifties, didn’t you line up with all the other kids and get polio shots? Were you in the Service and got shots there? Why is this current business so political? There IS a disease, and I for one appreciate our leaders who try to keep us safe with mask and vaccination guidance. Is it government overreach, as locals who want to remove the governor claim? I can think of many instances where concerned leadership would be needed by the general population. But this, this epidemic, they are planting their feet on and saying no. Why?
Nevertheless, I’ll hunt up a book or two of yours. I’m always envious and in awe, really, of someone who can actually write an entire book!
Randy Dary
Retired music teacher
Lakeview Schools
Thanks for the note. My history with Lakeview and environs began in 1964 when my wife and I were hired by the Lakeview Ranger District to work in the North Warner Mountains. She was the lookout and I was a smoke chaser. One of my best ever assignments was searching for bearing trees and brass caps that marked the original survey. Had a great time tromping the woods and thinking I might be the first person to see some of it only to be jerked back to reality by finding a brass survey marker from the 1880’s. When my Forest Career took me back to Lakeview, I was happy to be there.
And…when I decided to write my first novel, Spider Silk, the town of Lakeview and Lake County seemed a good fit for a burned out Portland Police Bureau detective. (I have to say my rural sheriff was first in the world of fiction, not a copycat.) One novel led to another and here I am writing my 6th Sheriff Bud Blair novel. A second series is underway with the historical novels of John Bitter and of Abiqua.
I’m curious as to why you informed me of you preference of presidents. I try to sidestep politics in my novels. As for the experimental vaccines, I think I’ll wait. Remember, not everything your government tells you is the truth.
Happy reading!
Rod
Love your work, Rod.
My, how the world has changed.
Thanks, Don. Your praise boosts my sometimes lagging energy.