Evenings ahhhhhh what a splendid time it is, the celebration of the beginning of the end of another day, the perfect time to discuss about everything done and everything to be done and mull over the current existential question with a warm cup of masala chai. To Get Vaccinated or Not. You know if you are one among this lot of people let me tell you something you are lucky, privileged and blessed cos think about it when the entire country is coveting for this tiny vial of liquid you have it here at your disposal and all that’s stopping you is just You and health conditions for a few. I know,,, surrounded by Doctors graduating from WhatsApp Universities everyday taking a firm decision as a family is hard but with news of our own friends and family getting infected every day I think we’re living by every tick of our clock and the virus is just there waiting to get into our system and break down our mind and body. So maybe one of these evenings instead of shunning away the topic as depressing or negative we should start talking, discussing, arguing and let the masala in our teas seep into our system and get things sorted and get that most coveted shot before it goes extinct in our place too.
So here are top few excuses that my Anti-Vaccine parents gave me, let’s start with my Amma who’s a toxically positive person at a time when it’s not great to be positive,
“Hey stop talking about Covid and Vaccines and Patients, all those are negative and depressing topics” – This is my Amma’s classic way of staying in her own happy bubble. A question to people like my Amma so if we don’t talk about it the virus will also forget about us and go hug our neighbor? No. Covid to much of our dismay is almost airborne and since we don’t live in a Big Boss show completely cut off from the rest of the world it would be ideal if we see this virus simply as a bothersome illwilling relative who comes and goes uninvited, they don’t announce their arrival but they come when you least expect them to and leave us exhausted so all we can do is stay guard and prevent them as best as we can and if at all they come by be a little more prepared for the blows.
Next comes my Dad, “I’m not ready to listen to your science and all this shot could give me a stroke like it gave my friends and actor Vivek, you want me to take that risk?!” Okay first of all Vivek’s death was Not Because Of the Vaccine. I agree that people with certain complications are advised to consult a doctor and take up the before they could take the vaccine like people with diabetes, hypertension, with a history of cardiac arrests so on and so forth. So if that’s the excuse someone’s giving at your place put them in touch with a Doc and get them sorted.
Next comes the more practical question posed by my friend, “but the vaccine centers are very crowded and I don’t have the energy to stand in long cues and what if I get infected there at the centre” – true yes sometimes the cue is never ending but c’mon we’re smart people we always find ways, (giving you that evil smile). We can go early and get it done or ask our friends if they know centers where the crowd is relatively less, also check out Thoothukudi Corporation’s website to find your nearest vaccination centre, the timings are from 9-4 p.m.
Now this excuse is rare and I’m not personally aware of anyone throwing this excuse at me, but the other day my friend sent me a video where a woman refuses to take the shot because God revealed that the shot is a mark of the beast, well I don’t want to hurt any religious sentiments but just one loud cry “Your God doesn’t want you to get infected and kill yourself or worse your own child! So for the love of your Good God get vaccinated!”
Now the bottom line, unless you’re younger than 18 or someone with,
a history of allergies
Fever
Bleeding disorder
On a blood thinner
Or someone with other serious health issues, I request y’all to get vaccinated and be prepared.
And yea like my wise friend pointed out just a minute ago that one can’t insist anyone to get vaccinated cos I’m not a doctor and don’t know your health conditions but one thing I absolutely hate is living in regret and therefore I only insist you to keep your minds open about the idea and discuss about it with your family, friends and Doctor and take a decision for the sake of yourself and for your dear ones.