Properly Subversive
Last time I looked at the national numbers, about 3% of Americans had received a COVID shot. Federal health care folk characterized that as “on track.”
Far be it for me to second guess the national health brainiacs who brought us ideas like one-way arrows on the floors of grocery stores, but I think we’re far from on track.
I say this because last week I had my annual check-up and I asked my GP about getting the booster. He was surprisingly ambivalent.
Last year he absolutely, 100% recommended the COVID booster, which I got. This year he said I “probably should” get the booster because I have diabetes. For my wife, who is fit as a fiddle, he said “meh” – if she wants it, get it.
Quite a turnabout from 12 months ago. Now look, my doctor isn’t a kook or one of those physicians on the cutting edge of everything. He doesn’t have a 1-800 number selling fruits and vegetable supplements. He’s just a damn good, attentive GP.
So, I recounted this story on Facebook and, whoa, did I receive some apocalyptic comments.
– My husband survived COVID but not the vaccine. His doctor recommended he get it prior to an elective surgery. Had a stroke the next day, another a week later. Serious third stroke Mother’s Day 2021. I’m biased, but believe you are safer to take good care of your A-1C.
– My cardiologist doesn’t recommend it. Take a pass. You’ll stay healthier without it.
– The vaccine doesn’t prevent you from getting it. I don’t see any benefits.
– A guy I work with has had all the shots and boosters and has had covid four times!
I also received a private communication from good friends in Las Vegas who said their doctor told them flat-out not to get the COVID shot this year.
That’s a lot of pushback, anecdotal though it might be.
So, will I get the shot?
Still thinking, but I trust my GP and he knows all my numbers. If he says get it, with all due respect to Facebook’s wisdom of the hive, I’ll probably get the shot. Plus, I have had no side effects so far – though, if I should grow a tail, as a Nevada optimist, I trust it will be a long and strong one that I can use for balance in lieu of a walker in my old age.
In all seriousness, my only point today, ladies and gentlemen, is to anecdotally suggest there is a boat load of resistance to the COVID vaccine in 2023. My bet is half of those who got the shot in 2022 will not get the shot this year.
NAZI TLAIB
The House of Representatives last week censured Rep. Rashida Tlaib for antisemitic activity, sympathizing with terrorist organizations, and leading an insurrection at the United States Capitol Complex.
Nevada House representatives split, with Mark Amodei and Susie Lee voting to censure and Dina Titus and Steven Horsford voting against.
Titus and Horsford should be ashamed. Amodei and especially Susie Lee, who broke ranks with the largely antisemitic Democratic Party, deserve our thanks.
They didn’t fall for Tlaib’s claims that she’s now the victim being denied free speech. She’s had her free speech and it was deemed by Congress to be hate speech. It’s one thing to cry “Free Palestine,” but when you couple that with the slogan “from the river to the sea” you are calling for death to all Jews.
Tlaib rhetoric is no different than Nazi rhetoric. Titus and Horsford in this pathetic failure to grow a backbone are no better than Nazi sympathizers and enablers.
No other way to see it.
ONE MORE THING
– I wonder if people paying $300 for a colon cleanse even know about Taco Bell’s $4.99 deal.
– The only thing flat-earthers fear is sphere itself.
– Murder of Crows, Détante of Doves, Smidgeon of Pigeons, Family of Partridges, Pear of Partridges, Booty of Sparrows, Sidekick of Robins, Concert of Swifts, Crossroads of Chickens, Regret of Egrets, Shun of Ostriches, Mariner of Albatrosses, Badge of Cranes, Club of Storks, Hoot of Owls, Row of Ducks, Cluster of Ducks, Forest of Woodpeckers, Lawn of Flamingos, Commission of Swallows, Quorum of Quail, Enlargement of Titmice. Don’t make me go on, because I can.
Thanks for reading a Battle Born Media newspaper. Until next time, avoid soreheads, laugh a little and always question authority.
“Properly Subversive” is commentary written by Sherman R. Frederick, a Nevada Hall of Fame journalist and co-founder of Battle Born Media, a news organization dedicated to the enhancement and preservation of community newspapers. You can reach him by email at shermfrederick@gmail.com.
