By C. ben-David
“… It would sadden me greatly; it would pain me enormously if our people don’t take the [COVID-19] vaccine because there is no scientific reason not to take the vaccine and the history and experience of vaccines contribute to our well-being”. — Prime Minister Ralph E. Gonsalves, WE FM radio, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021).
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The various vaccination opinions Dr. Gonsalves expressed in his Sunday radio interview need to be carefully deconstructed to understand their actual veracity.
Before doing so, let me reveal my own position on viruses and vaccines which is that I am neither an “anti-vaxxer” nor a vaccine skeptic even though I recognise that viruses, both good and bad, have been with us since the origin of life on earth itself. Fearing the proven differential threats of lethal viruses on elderly people like myself, I have eagerly sought an annual anti-flu vaccination for many years knowing that its effects have been carefully analysed for years.
I also know that vaccines for deadly or debilitating diseases like the ones mentioned by the Prime Minister — measles, mumps, rubella, polio and yellow fever vaccines — and others took years to develop after exhibiting scientifically proven efficacy and safety.
For example, the eradication of smallpox through a vaccine took several centuries even though its mortality rate was up to 30%, a rate 10,000 times that of COVID-19 (see below).
In 1796, British physician and scientist Edward Jenner invented the first successful smallpox vaccine, but it wasn’t until the 1950s that vaccine treatments began to effectively eradicate the disease across the globe. To date, smallpox remains the only disease to have been completely eliminated around the world through vaccination efforts.
Up to last year, global vaccine development went through a rigorous number of steps including exploratory phases, pre-clinical trials, new drug application, four phases of vaccine trials, and thorough vetting and approval from what were thought to be totally independent government agencies such as the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration in the United States.
The global hysteria over COVID-19 changed all that and directly challenge Dr. Gonsalves’ view that, “… the history and experience of vaccines contribute to our well-being.”
All COVID-19 vaccines, including the AstraZeneca Covishield COVID-19 vaccine we are being cajoled to accept, have been frantically rushed from beginning to end — eight short months in most cases and before even the phase three trials were completed — based on political pressure and the greed of the huge and influential pharmaceutical industry.
What this means is that all COVID-19 vaccines are still “experimental drugs” given premature emergency exemptions by various regulatory agencies now controlled by the political elites and pharmaceutical giants of the world.
More particularly, none of these vaccines have been properly studied and tested to ascertain their long-term efficacy and possible adverse side effects.
The Prime Minster may know all this which is why his opening statement — there is no scientific reason not to take the vaccine – also needs careful deconstruction.
Note his use of a double negative. Rather than unequivocally stating that there is good reason to take the virus, he carefully equivocates by putting the onus on the so-called anti-vaxxers to prove him wrong when he may know that there is still not enough evidence available to make conclusive decisions about brand-new vaccines. This is a classic debating trick — and Dr. Gonsalves is surely a classical debater — akin to asking an opponent to prove that God does not exist rather than proving that He does exist.
Instead, we are being urged to just shut up and behave like good little guinea pigs in a global experiment trying to control a natural virus that has killed a negligible portion of the world’s 7.8 billion people, namely 2.5 million people representing a mere 0.03% of the human race.
Though all human death is regrettable, it is also an inevitable part of the human condition. Unlike most other lethal viruses, COVID-19 is involved in the death of mainly elderly people with life-threatening pre-conditions. More particularly, most elderly people die with COVID-19 rather than from COVID-19, meaning that the virus gently nudged dying people over the edge.
Conversely, relatively young healthy people under the age of 50 are far less likely to die from or with the virus than those over 50: since 2020, 84% of all COVID-19 deaths in America were people over the age of 50 even though this cohort constitutes only 34% of the population.
These observations also challenge Dr. Gonsalves’ assertion that the Indian vaccine prevents people from requiring hospitalisation because of COVID-19 and because “… it cuts almost 100% the chance that you would die from it…” simply because hardly any people who are infected require hospitalisation – most don’t even know that they ever even contracted the virus — and even fewer have died after being infected.
The intelligent people of India are privy to these facts which is why most of them don’t even want to take a vaccine produced in their own country which is the only reason we are getting their surplus product here.
When you try to fool Mother Nature based on unscientific global hysteria, you only end up fooling yourself.
The opinions presented in this content belong to the author and may not necessarily reflect the perspectives or editorial stance of iWitness News. Opinion pieces can be submitted to [email protected].
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
C-Ben David, we finally agree!
I dislike stepping into a loose discussion where facts are hard to pin down. But let me say simply that I determined that the AstraZeneca vaccine was safe and effective for me to get vaccinated and advised my family here, my wife, my son, his wife and a grandson to get the vaccine. We all did in fact get vaccinated about one week ago. At almost 80 years of age I do have some co-morbidities and so had to evaluate taking the vaccine from 2 angles. In the end I decided that it was the wisest thing to do.
Personally, I would never let politics get in the way of my medical decisions.
Note that in the US politicians who negate the idea of vaccines nevertheless proceed to getting vaccinated
Be wise.
Excellent information C. Ben! All true! I do admire many some things about our Prime Minister but in this case, he is more concerned about his reputation, than people’s concern for the safety of these vaccines. He did so much to get the vaccines here and people not taking them would make him look and feel bad.
Ask ourselves: Why did our PM get the Sputnik-V after much self-debate, but he wants us to get the other (experimental) vaccines? He did not take the same vaccine we are supposed to take. Maybe because the Sputnik-V is from technology proven to be safe since 1980, and the others are not yet proven. It may be that more are dying or getting permanently disabled from the (Western) vaccines than from the virus! Why was our PM allowed to think alot about getting vaccinated, but we are not allowed to do so? We should just rush out and get experimented on. Or is it that he believes he does all the thinking for us, and, as many leaders today, think we should just do as we are told? AT THIS TIME I would (just like the PM) only consider the maybe-proven-safe Russian Sputnik-V. It is true that the Oxford vaccine is based on the Sputnik-V but it is proven less-effective and Bill Gates is involved in that company….and, based on his track record, I do not trust anything from Bill Gates.
For myself I would rather get this mild-flu virus, recover and have my body then manufacture its own vaccine Too many young and healthy in SVG are wetting their pants believing they are going to die if they get Covid. Question is: What will the next man-made virus be like?
Mr. Chance your Journalism training and experience without a doubt has in my opinion put you among St. Vincent and the Grenadines best as a Journalist.
I believe we can say that about just a few others in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Having said that I believe your partisan opinion against most decisions taken by the ULP Administration at times compromise and put clouds over your professionalism.
Covid19 could careless if you are black or white, male or female, gay or straight, Christian, Hindu, catholic or don’t believe in God.
You could be a billionaire or a pooper.
Covid19 will kill you.
And especially in SVG where according to the information we received from you the poverty levels are alarming.
I will say this to you ask the people to follow all Health and safety guidelines and help create a better SVG.
AUGUSTUS THOMAS,
This piece clearly states that it is the opinion of C. ben-David.
If you have an opinion piece we would be pleased to consider it for publication.
Please send same to [email protected]
Hi
Well said glad to know another vincentian is aware of the deceit. They sold their souls and want everyone else to do the same. Stand strong my fellow country men, this is not a vaccine its eugenics messing wlth your god given DNA. This is about controlling every aspect of your life forever, worst than the period of the Atlantic slave trade. For the nay sayers check out the world economic Forum where all the scumbags meet to discuss our future, as if.
A well written and researched piece. Great job!
Good to see that someone does some research, unlike the SVG Health Department and all the fake news and very UNSCIENTIFIC MEASURES based on FEAR rather than any science they are feeding us!
I am wondering when the world is going to realize that masks make no difference. It is just another way of making money, money, money, just like the vaccines being used for this man-made mild flu.
Don’t give into cynicism, fear and ignorance SVG.
COVID has devastated countries around the world and while we’ve been lucky to have been spared for so long, the dam has now broken. The vaccine is an opportunity to save lives and return to normalcy, be thankful that we’re in a position that anyone who wants it can get it.
If you’re still skeptical or scared, do some reading. Details on the timeline, testing and technology behind the vaccine are available to anyone with a simple search.
People are keen to blame Chance for allowing the bully pulpit but read the disclaimer. n.b. *Christiane Amanpour, a CNN correspondent in the ’80s chose the side of the Bosnian Muslims and many condemned her ’emotional’ reporting, short story, she emerged the grammy-winning, and multiple awards winning highly respected journalist she remains.
*”There are some situations one simply cannot be neutral about because when you are neutral you are an accomplice. Objectivity doesn’t mean treating all sides equally. It means giving each side a hearing”
Too precise, cool, intelligently analytical to rub the wrong way.
Perhaps but it deflects reality, present and future. I shall add that all people better pray and act intelligently to avoid ever getting infected by this human made virus. The Oxford Astra-Zeneca as well as the Sputnik V vaccines seem to be the most suitable and prudent choices right now.
Every vaccinated person protects themselves, their family as well as their community and nation.
Think lots free of conspiracies. Think again. Look at the United Kingdom’s ingenious approach and success.
C. ben-David, I am surprised about the information presented, in this article since you have attempted on
more than one occasion to intellectually slap me, for my views on Covid19 and the vaccines.
Covid19 is a political virus to reset the world economy. We need and shall have an International Criminal Investigation.
I am very familiar with the facts in this article since I also read and research.
I am a critical thinker, so my question to you is very simple: what changed your mind?
I am also curious: what is your direct, indirect, known and or unknown connection to SVG and Ralph Gonsalves?
I am very fearless and courageous.
I shall Not and shall never surrender and or waive my believes now and or in the future.
Ricardo Francis, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in Waiting and in the Making
Great comment!
Please note that my op-ed pieces like the one here and my comments on Facebook are not always or necessarily compatible.
When I comment on other people’s writings I usually try to play the contrarian, a strategy that often means I am not actually expressing my true knowledge or beliefs but trying to get a reaction from those I am playing with.
The true C. ben-David is the one who writes opinion pieces; the mischievous C. ben-David is the one who plays with other people’s ideas.
Overs?
Excellent opinion piece!!
C. ben-David, I am happy that you have admitted that you purposely aggravate someone and or anyone, without having necessary cause and justification. For the record, it is my interpretation, based upon your response to my comment, in the above..
Please answer the following which you have failed, refused and or neglected to answer in the above: “what is your direct, indirect, known and or unknown connection to SVG and Ralph Gonsalves?”
I do not prostitute my principles and or values, and or purposely aggravate any person, and or persons to satisfy an ego. I am not accusing you of malicious behaviour.
I am very fearless and courageous.
I shall Not and shall never surrender and or waive my believes now and or in the future.
Ricardo Francis, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in Waiting and in the Making