Is it really a matter of faith vs physical?

[Claire Oh Nette]

19. I like to see the evidence backing something up

Where did you do your epidemiology & virology residency?

I worked in Clinical Trials for several pharmaceutical research companies, including Roche. I administered investigational drug trials. I've prepared IND and NDAs for the FDA. I've managed Adverse Event Reporting.

Anyone saying they're "waiting to see" and "I haven't done my own research" suggests they know more than all the MD/PhDs, trained scientists, chemists, and statisticians combined. THe notion that anyone who's taken the vaccine is a guinea pig or part of an experiment DOS NOT UNDERSTAND HOW DRUG TRIALS WORK OR HOW THE FDA WORKS. Never mind that no category of medication is tested to higher and more standards than vaccines precisely because they have to go into BILLIONS of people, unlike chemotherapy agents, or Statins, or antidepressants, all of which cause far more side effects that targeted messenger RNA.

Do you need to see the back up data and statistical analysis for all the medications you take? Did you ask for the raw data for your tetanus shots, or your pneumonia vaccine, or shingles vax? Did you devise and conduct your own studies before deciding to wear your seatbelt, or quit smoking?

I don't pretend to be an expert in things I am not an expert in. I don't pretend to know more than the entire medical community. I don't assume I can parse the trial data and run the numbers better than PhD statisticians or PharmDs. If you are a trained, educated medical professional, I do apologize. Most i hear this line of hesitancy from have a high school diploma, or maybe a year or two of junior college general studies under their belts.

I love me some VW cars. Bug, Rabbit, Sirocco, Jetta, Passat. Know all about them. Have owned four, no five VWs over my lifetime. When Volkswagen of America recalled my Jetta over accelerator issues, I didn't test the problem myself to see if the pedal would stick. WHen my Passat faced a a recall over som engine part that might cause hot radiator fluid to spray my feet in the event the part malfunctioned, I didn't wait and see if I burned my feet with hot chemicals. I got the part replaced.

The GOP politicized this virus just like they did the HIV virus. The virus hit people who were more than likely democrats--affluent world travelers and entertainers, and thos in major metropolitan areas served by major airports. The prior administration thought it would kill off democrats, old folks, and poor people and they didn't care because those people tended to be democrats.

The prior administration picked up the anti-vaxxer nonsense over autism (one study, flawed methodology, thoroughly debunked) and fed them the very doubt they now profess they've always had. Yet these vax hesitant folks tend to believe the non scientifically, anecdotal evidence about turmeric, or other homeopathic remedies spread via woo accounts on instagram. Same pathway into save the children--

The J&J blood clot issue was evidence the CDC works. it took just 6 patients to identify the pattern, isolate the problem and write new guidelines. Out of over 7,000,000 who received that vaccine. Pre-menopausal women should NOT take J&J. Based on science.

If great numbers of people were contracting covid post vaccine, we'd know. If they were dying from the vaccine, we'd know. That the opposition party who wants to see the Biden administration can only whine about masks and say wait and see six months after vaccine approval, and a precipitous drop in new cases since wide spread vaccination, says a lot about just how very effective both the vaccines and the rollout of those vaccines has been.

Now, there are people who have very real medical reasons (not excuses) they can't have vaccines. Suppressed immune systems from transplant, known but rare clotting disorders, allergies to individual ingredients in the vaxx, MS, or other auto immune disorders. My husband is a transplant recipient, so it is incumbent upon me to take extra precautions to protect him.

It appears to me lifting the mask requirement for "fully vaccinated people" will require proof of vaccination. It's coming. It's already happening for employment in a variety of sectors. Full approval for ages 11+ is around the corner, and then States, Businesses, and the military absolutely can and will require vaccines, and the wait and see, everyone but me folks will have to get stuck, or stay home.

Expertise is a thing. It takes a special kind of arrogance to dismiss experts because anti intellectualism won't die off in the US.

(climbs off soapbox)
WHile I'm sure you are thoughtful and weigh what you read carefully, way too many people using that line of reasoning are not experts at anything.