Great news! The Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine has officially been deemed safe for use by the FDA. This means it can significantly reduce your risk of contracting the coronavirus or at least mitigate the severity of illness if you do. While many of us already knew this, the FDA’s endorsement signals a turning point—one that many have been anticipating for quite some time.
It’s important to clarify that this approval doesn’t mean we can abandon other safety measures like masks and social distancing. In fact, the upcoming changes might make some people feel even more uncomfortable than those masks ever did.
We’ve increasingly seen employers and businesses require vaccinations for employees and customers alike. This seems like a reasonable request, especially considering the vaccine’s safety profile. Even our leaders have been vaccinated without issue. It’s a significant step toward returning to a semblance of normalcy, whether we like it or not.
Implications for Vaccine Skeptics
Regardless of personal beliefs about vaccination rights, the FDA’s approval was a crucial moment for many businesses. Previous to this, companies could mandate vaccinations without full FDA approval, but now, the stakes are higher. For those refusing to get vaccinated, the reality may soon mean facing job loss. Some employers might offer regular Covid testing as an alternative, but many are firm: get vaccinated or seek employment elsewhere.
Even before the FDA’s approval, many venues—like colleges and concert halls—were already asking for proof of vaccination. With FDA approval now in place, it’s likely that even more of these venues will adopt similar policies.
On the other hand, getting vaccinated could make life safer and easier for everyone. While I usually promote the “you do you” mentality, we can’t ignore the consequences of allowing people to make their own choices without accountability. The Delta variant has wreaked havoc partly because we let individuals opt-out of vaccination.
Many people remain unvaccinated, not solely due to distrust in science, but often because they simply don’t want to. These individuals often resist mask-wearing and social distancing as well. Frankly, we can’t continue to tolerate such recklessness.
Hoping Vaccine Mandates Get Us Back on Track
The hope is that the FDA’s approval will encourage those who have hesitated to finally choose vaccination. Unfortunately, even with an uptick in vaccinations, only a little over half of Americans are fully vaccinated. The slow uptake has allowed variants like Delta to spread rapidly, leading to overwhelmed hospitals and delayed essential treatments.
This crisis now affects not just vulnerable adults but also children who cannot yet receive the vaccine. They rely on adults to adhere to safety measures like mask-wearing and social distancing.
FDA approval should provide enough assurance of the vaccine’s safety. If you’re willing to try unproven alternatives, it’s puzzling that you’d hesitate to get vaccinated. The future of Covid-19 is uncertain, but let’s hope for a return to normalcy soon.
For more in-depth discussions on related topics, check out this post on home insemination or refer to Make a Mom for authoritative guidance on home insemination. Additionally, Healthline offers excellent resources for those looking into pregnancy and fertility options.
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