August 16, 2021
skeptical and hesitant
The Delta variant of COVID-19 has whopped the US on the side of its head. Just when everyone hoped the end of COVID was nigh with good vaccines. The promise of concerts, parties, festivals, vacations, weddings, and more lifted our spirits. Families were looking forward to their children’s return to school, in person. Now, the numbers of infections and hospitalizations are increasing rapidly again. The rise of cases in the US has not reached its peak for this wave. Breakthrough infections in vaccinated people are occurring regularly. Most do OK, with rare hospitalizations and deaths. The unvaccinated, however, are at higher risk from this variant and vulnerable to severe infections. In areas of low vaccination, especially in the south, such as Texas, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi, hospitals are full and ICU beds are scarce.
What happened? The two most effective ways to control spread have become inflammatory. Masking is vilified as taking away someone’s “freedom” while vaccinations are “dangerous” and “microchipped”. Our society and schools can open again successfully and safely, if we use masks, and vaccinate as many as possible. So frustrating to see this resistance to life saving measures.
Still, I look at those not vaccinated and see different motivations and categories. They are not just all anti-vaxxers or politically motivated, although those garner the most attention.
Others, though, may be persuadable.. They may be skeptical about the fast roll out and emergency authorization. They may have been scared off by persuasive family members, but can be influenced by a trusted friend or their doctor. Some people truly have fear of needles and need support to make the vaccine happen. Others with low wage jobs may be afraid of missing work due to side effects. Others may just have not found the time because it wasn’t easy or they didn’t know where to go. Some young adults don’t think they need it, although the Delta variant is riskier. Others who already had COVID-19 might not know the benefits the vaccines have against the Delta by boosting their immune system. Others worry about allergic reactions and if they will have other effects they fear.
Some ideas of how to talk to skeptical friends and family are out there. Sometimes, just asking the right questions and being empathetic can open up a conversation, rather than causing them to shut down from defensiveness. Some people are getting their vaccines in secret and vaccines are increasing in some of the harder hit areas now, which is good news. Many are finally receiving their jabs as the number of infections increases.
Vaccination mandates in schools and workplaces are increasing. This will help persuade some. I expect more mandates as soon as the vaccines are given full FDA authorization, expected within the next month or so.
Many of us are tired, especially health care workers who cared for so many who had no choice because no vaccine existed. Now they are taking care of those that refused that scientific gift, which makes it even more challenging. Some patients have regrets about missing the vaccine, which gives me hope that we can help more unvaccinated be persuaded. It is worth trying with some. Important to know that trying to change some minds will fail and close their minds further. It is OK to stop in that case, but remember that the right question may open some minds, unexpectedly.
Wash your hands, cover your nose, keep safe six, get your friends and family vaccinated
And finally, my caveat is that this is my experience and my opinions, which are subject to change as more information is available, and not related to the organization I work for. Thanks for reading.
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