Napoleon Bonaparte was many things. He was charismatic, an astute Military General, Political Leader, and a permanent pop
culture reference. But with all his immense power and considerable sway, even Napoleon could not bend Europe to his will
to take the smallpox vaccine.
Interestingly, he was only successful in convincing a few of his fellow counterparts to get immunized against the deadly disease that was raging havoc in Europe.In the mid-19th century, the British government made small vaccinations compulsory. In retort, local anti-vaccination leagues were formed, brandishing the same hesitancy and lack of understanding
of science rampant among anti-vaccination activists today.
A lot has changed, but much remains the same. To say everyone is operating in unprecedented times would be the understatement of the century. What stands true is that everyone has grown weary of lockdowns and is yearning for the world to be reopened. But even with vaccination numbers rising, there are still those adamantly in opposition.
If Covid-19 shook the world to its core, the rapidly created vaccines turned it on its head. Everywhere while some rejoiced at the bleak of normalcy that the vaccine represented, others viciously turned it away. Now, as economies are failing and various vaccines are distributed, governments have already or intend to implement mandatory mandates.
‘AntiVaxers’ everywhere cry foul, saying it impedes their human rights. They rubbish the science behind it, and the growing discord is slowly bubbling beneath the surface, waiting to explode. Many companies and multinational corporations have stood their ground
and implemented vaccination policies. At United Airlines, initially, the staff had the option to get vaccinated or fit the bill for bi-weekly Covid-19 tests.
Now the Airline has openly stated those still not immunized will be fired. Approximately 593 of its employees face possible termination,
with many seeking medical or religious exemptions, the only out prohibited by law. Human rights experts posit there is no violation. Nevertheless, the immunized are growing more uneasy, especially in the workplaces where they are forced to fraternize with peers who scoff at the vaccine.
While many will argue that the vaccine detractors are ignorant or paranoid, another dark shadow looms over the coveted vaccines. While citizens of first-world countries have the luxury to denounce vaccines, developing countries are balancing the harsh reality of vaccine inequities and the astronomical effects it has on their already struggling economies and fragile healthcare systems. Developing
countries have had to fork billions of dollars to be in the running for vaccines that firstworld countries have at their fingertips.
Moreover, they have had to reallocate what little health resources they had to acquire the coveted vials. This has left their regular immunization regimen at risk of shortage, wholly diminished, and their population stands the risks of outbreaks. Access to the vaccine is between Covid-19, other infectious diseases, and their economy for these countries.
In the United States alone, companies are faced with the peculiar balancing act of catering to their staff’s wishes while maintaining safety for all. They can’t possibly isolate the unvaccinated staff, yet the immunized employees can hold their employers liable if they contract breakthrough cases. The catch 22 situation is wreaking havoc on the shaky economy, and whose continued success is
dependent on a healthy working cohort.
The more people who refuse to take the vaccines, the more people are not turning up to work, creating inevitable craters in the global economy that are being stifled by a figurative Covid-19 mask. The principle of choice is a vital one and can never be overstated. It is understandable to have reservations about what you are inserting into your body. But as the death toll rises and children fail at online learning, where will the line be drawn? Small pockets of social upheaval in workplaces between those that have been jabbed
and those that refuse to be jabbed.
Jobs lost, while the immunized wait with bated breath for the promise of a reopened world as an incentive for taking what can
only be described as experimental. Who gets to decide that your personal choice is doing more harm than good when there are legitimate concerns among the paranoia-driven hysteria and conspiracy theories?
Will you choose yourself or the world? If you don’t stand for something, you fall for anything. But does it count if there is
nothing left to stand for?
