This pandemic has brought to light a few things about how and by who information on World issues…
is transmitted. Given not only the health impacts but also the social and economic devastation caused by COVID-19, pretty everyone has weighed in. It is obvious that there is conflicting information regarding most aspects of the pandemic – from public health measures to disease progression and severity. When information is that disparate – especially from World leaders, celebrities, and celebrity doctors and it can’t simply be labelled as misinformation; some if definite and deliberate misinformation but which part? It is very difficult to decipher what’s what.
Trying to understand why the “facts” vary so much… I have to come to the conclusion that is due to the heterogeneity associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection an COVID-19. Let’s take a look at the infection itself – in my limited immediate circle, I have had people (probably the majority), who have been infected and apart from the sniffles and not feeling the best for a couple days they have been fine. Also, I have had people who were knocked out for a couple of weeks – difficulty breathing and feeling like crap for weeks, and in the most extreme case… I have had a first-degree relative who was hospitalized, ended up in the ICU for >10 days, and succumbed to the disease. So… the heterogeneity is obvious, even just within my limited circle… and you can see how different people will have a very different take on COVID-19. The ones with minimal symptoms will have a very different view in comparison to the others.
Similarly, when it comes to “the vaccine”, people within my immediate circle, have experienced a very wide range of side-effects – from absolutely no side effect (the majority), to bruised (“dead”) arms, to being knocked out for 3-4 days, and in the extreme case we’ve had a stroke (in very close proximity to the vaccination). Again, this highlights the disparity of information that this group people may transmit with regard to the side effects of “the vaccine”.
Of course, the social and economic aspects of the pandemic would also vary widely – many small business owners would have a very different outlook in comparison, to say, well-paid public servants that get to hang around at home on full pay.
There are some facts – public health measures, including good quality masks and social distancing work, vaccines work and represent a good shortcut at re-instating “normality” on a global population scale. The problem with “global-scale” solutions is that they don’t allow for nuances and individual circumstances leading to the disparity of information we have been receiving.
Of course, Governments and “experts” want the quickest and cheapest solution, and people who have already gone through COVID-19 or have lost livelihoods are not in the mood for “general” responses leading to disparate distaste and disparate views.
For the good all, let’s get vaccinated – double vaccinated as necessary – and “boosted” when required – it is the simplest and quickest path to “normality”.
Until next time …