By K. Boo
COVID-19 sucks. I do not need to go into details about why. We all know the effects it has had on this country and the world as a whole. It would be great if the virus could just disappear and we could go back to pre-pandemic life, but, I hate to break it to you, that is not going to happen.
How do you envision the world returning to “normal?” Should we just open up one day, pull an Ivan Drago from Rocky IV and say, “If they die, they die” to all those at risk of catching the coronavirus?
“The worldwide death toll is only 2.2%, right?”
Well, that 2.2% doesn’t seem to matter until it’s your mom or dad, your brother or sister (I would also like to note that the death rate is likely much higher, as countries like Russia have discrepancies in their data.
“It only effects older people and their time is coming anyway, right?”
Okay, let’s not talk about the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and long-term illnesses associated with COVID-19 in the adolescent population.
The point of this article is not to scare you, but instead point out the realities of COVID-19 that are often overlooked as people face pandemic burnout and wish to return to how things were. I would also like to offer an option for those looking to return to normal: vaccination.
The room gets quiet, murmurs fill the empty space and people gasp at the word “vaccination”. A scientific innovation that changed the world is now associated with controversy and dimmed by misconceptions. I would like to take a few moments of your time to go over some concerns surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine and provide facts from peer-reviewed journals.
I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, and I am well aware of how many journalistic practices work — mainly, if the information is controversial or catchy, the outlet makes more money. I urge all of you to think critically about where you are getting your information, then make a decision about what is best for you.
Misconception: The vaccine was rolled out too quickly
A lot of people and media outlets are concerned about the speed in which the COVID vaccine was developed. I get it. Before this year, the fastest vaccine produced was for mumps and it took four years for that to go from inception to access. However, COVID is not necessarily a new virus. Scientists have been researching coronaviruses at least since 2002 when the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) epidemic hit China, and reinforced their efforts when the MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome) epidemic hit the Middle East in 2012. The viruses in these epidemics have the same structure and belong to the same family as COVID-19, so we had decades of research behind us. Another huge factor in the speed of this vaccine was the gigantic financial backing from all over the world, and the willingness of many volunteers to receive the vaccine in trial phase. Scientists from all over had the time and money to make it happen.
Misconception: The AstraZeneca vaccine was not tested properly
The production of the AstraZeneca vaccine was overseen by the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC), which is a government agency that is responsible for developing and producing over 90% of biological substances like antibiotics and medicines that are used around the world. The NIBSC works independently from the manufacturer (AstraZeneca) to ensure the vaccine is safe for use. They did not ever speed up this process of safety testing for the COVID-19 vaccine. Instead, the demand for the COVID-19 vaccine allowed it to “cut in line” in front of other biological substance testing. There is a good overview of their testing here.
As far as their clinical trial testing in humans, the AstraZeneca vaccine entered the Phase 3 Clinical Testing (the final phase of testing) in August of 2020, enrolling 30,000 participants in the United States alone. They also rolled out testing of around 17,000 participants in the United Kingdom, Brazil, and South Africa. The testing included participants from different age groups and those with different comorbidities (a fancy term for pre-existing conditions like diabetes or obesity). Upon completion, the data revealed that the vaccine was 70% effective after two doses and 64% effective after one dose against symptomatic COVID-19.
Misconception: The vaccine changes your DNA and gives you COVID-19
Okay, this is a big one I’ve heard surrounding the mRNA vaccines, so I wanted to briefly touch upon it. However, the AstraZeneca vaccine is not an mRNA vaccine. Even if it were, I would like to summarize: THE VACCINE DOES NOT ALTER YOUR DNA IN ANY WAY. IT DOES NOT EVEN COME IN TO CONTACT WITH YOUR DNA.
If you are at all interested, there is a really good breakdown video of how the mRNA vaccine works here:
Basically, the mRNA in the vaccine is the blueprints for the unique spike that presents itself on the COVID virus. The ribosomes (the parts of the cell that construct these blueprints) make copies of this spike (note: the mRNA does NOT contain the information for the whole virus, just the spike on the outside of it, so it is impossible for you to contract the virus from the mRNA).
Your immune cells (those cells that fight infections) are then trained to recognise this spike and destroy it the way they are supposed to. The mRNA from the vaccine breaks down and the spikes are eventually all killed off by your immune cells, and then your body can recognize the virus and attack it before the virus has a chance to invade your other cells! Yes, your body can recognise the virus without the vaccine, but it is a much slower response and the virus has more time to spread through the body — making the person much sicker. The video does a much better job of explaining, but I just think it’s amazing. Maybe it’s the nerd in me.
I want to repeat that the AstraZeneca vaccine is not an mRNA vaccine. If you don’t want to read how the AstraZeneca vaccine works, here is a good video that breaks it down and addresses some other concerns:
The AstraZeneca vaccine utilises that same adenovirus technology we have been using for decades. An adenovirus is essentially a weakened generic virus that, in this case, contains the spike found on the COVID-19 virus. This adenovirus (the weakened generic virus) only acts as a transportation device to deliver the spike to your body’s cells. I want to make it clear: this virus does NOT contain the entire COVID-19 virus and CANNOT give you COVID-19. It only contains the identifying spike that your immune cells are trained to attack. Here is the study associated with the vaccine’s creation.
Some people ask: if the vaccine does not give me COVID-19, why am I feeling symptoms after getting the vaccine? This is a good question. Your symptoms are a result of your body responding to a foreign object. Once your immune cells recognise this foreign object, they deploy killer T-cells to destroy it (their purpose is in their name — they kill foreign cells and viruses in the body). This deployment leads to fever, body aches, and typical flu-like symptoms.
Misconception: The AstraZeneca vaccine causes blood clots
I will try to keep this short. Basically, over 20 million people in Europe have received the AstraZeneca vaccine, and 25 people have reported some sort of blood clot. As of today, a connection has not been made between the two, but for argument’s sake let’s say there is a connection. Twenty-five out of 20 million is 0.0001%. If there is a connection, there is a 0.0001% chance of developing a blood clot as a result of the AstraZeneca vaccine (again, IF there is a connection). I would also like to point out that there is a 0.01% chance of developing a blood clot IN THE GENERAL POPULATION. Based on these numbers, you are actually less likely to get a blood clot as a result of the vaccine than to get a blood clot in general. The European Medicines Agency safety committee even stated that the benefits of getting the vaccine still outweigh the risks.
Conclusion
I genuinely thank you for reading this far in the article. At the end of the day, the choice to vaccinate is yours, but I urge you to look at all the information, including where you are getting that information from, and make an informed decision that is best for you and your community.
I work in medical research, but, quite honestly, it shouldn’t matter what I do because I have cited all my information from reputable sources. If you have additional questions or concerns, please comment and I will try to respond based on research.
The vaccine offers a vision of a brighter future. I want you to ask yourself what taking the vaccine would not only mean for you, but for your community. Lastly, I would like to leave you with this: your choice to give up the last several months of your regular life, being careful and socially distancing, getting a temporarily painful vaccination, could very well be the reason someone else is alive today — and it will always have been worth it.
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].
So basically you are saying this Covid -19 Vacine is the new god on the block…The superhero who came in to save the whole world which in your own words have 64% chances of working….It now boils down to it’s either I take the vacinne to save my community or I am outcast from civilation??? Did I get it right??? ☺
Not at all what is being said.
You coming on here regurgitating information like most journalists do, isn’t giving the full truth to John and Jane public, and until you either understand the truth and willing to share the truth, st[-u. You and others take the vaccine and quit trying to convince the mass. If this vaccine was as good as they claim, I dont think there would even be the need to convince others. Go do your research on the weekly side effects of the AstraZeneca vaccine, I wont even bother linking it, because if you want the truth you’ll find it, journalist.
I personally have taken the vaccine and suffered no ill effects within the past month of taking it. You are part of the problem not the solution. You are endangering yourself and the people you claim to care about.
Very informative.
Thanks for posting this.
Genuinely sad to see SVG isn’t immune to all the conspiracy theories and the antivax mentality, but I guess it’s really a global problem.
Even with tons of data and information at their fingertips, some people choose to remain ignorant or worse spread misinformation.
Yes, this article is all misinformation! People need to research what real experts are saying and not be fooled. Maybe only 1% of the people die from vaccines but for those under 80 years of age, far less die of Corona virus
You seem like you have a brain and know how to use it. I like you. We need more of you. Show off that big brain of yours. They are sadly in short supply.
Wow! So much FAKE Science! So much FAKE facts! to say the Covid death toll is 2.2% is way wrong! In truth, of those who contract Covid, the death rate is under 1%, THAT IS AROUND THE SAME AS THE DEATH TOLL FROM THE COVID VACCINES! I have heard of 2 people in SVG that died shortly after vaccination. The Health Department said they were NOT from the vaccine…Oh, really? How many more are there? I suggest the author take his own advice and GET ACCURATE INFORMATION. Or is K. Boo being paid to “up” the government propaganda before the vaccine expires?
https://vaccineimpact.com/2021/cdc-reports-1095-deaths-following-experimental-covid-vaccines-while-uk-government-reports-294-deaths/
Don’t step on a nail. You might get tetanus.
OK, on the other foot: SVG national squad lost the first game 5 – 0 in the qualifiers for FIFA 2022, as of 25-3-21. I wonder if the PM and Stevenson know that?
Excellent article and need not emphasize very well contradicted and easy to read as a result.
Information which unfortunately most of the loudest voices would not be bothered with.
I too have been a sceptic and with my trust of the Cuban biotechnology industry which is not profit drive and which is testing FIVE vaccines I began to trust the scientists.
I have taken the AstraZeneca, first dose as of today. Nobody can or should be forced to take any vaccine but…
Here are some questions:
1. Who are you, K. Boo?
2. Is that your real name?
3. Were you compensated to write this article?
4. What is your direct, indirect, known and unknown relationship to St. Vincent and the Grenadines?
5. What business of it is yours, to tell the people of SVG about your views on vaccines?
6. Do you believe that your views and opinions are reliable and GOD sent?
7. Do you believe that the people of SVG are not informed, and or not knowledgeable about the real agenda behind the Vaccines.
8. Were you contracted by the Local Elites and the Global Elites to make this submission to IWNSVG?
9. Who pays your salary in medical research?
10. Who are the funding agencies, individuals and corporations, funding your research?
Covid19 is political virus to reset the world economy. The evidence is all around us, You do not have to look too hard and too far, unless, it has been erased, purposely.
Covid19 has a 99.98% recovery rate. We do not need vaccines.
The people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines are legally, politically, constitutionally, and moral entitled to decide what goes into their bodies. This is not like taking a TYLENOL, and you have an allergic reaction, and it has to be pumped out of you. Vaccines cannot be pumped out of you. It is inside of you, permanently,
Please tell the public, K, BOO about the vaccines delivered and supplied, and administered in 1979 in emergency shelters, around the time of the last Volcanic eruption and the vaccines that were administered after the volcanic eruption!
The people of SVG are like the sleeping volcano. When we erupt, we erupt.
St, Vincent and the Grenadines is prime real estate the Global Elites want it for their enjoyment.
Agenda 21, and the World Economic Forum are not going to decide our purpose, and set our agendas, K. Boo.
I am very fearless and courageous.
I shall NOT and shall NEVER surrender and 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
This is more of a personal attack than a considered response. Please enlighten us to the source of your misinformation
Vaccinated and smiling
I am not K.Boo. However, it seems to me that you have placed your head so far up your rare you fail to see what is actually right in front of you. The early COVID19 strain may have had 99.98% recovery rate, but that is only for those with the immune systems developed enough and not compromised by preexisting conditions. The strains we are seeing today are much more lethal. I would appreciate your response.
Yours truly,
Mike Roch
Then why offer a vaccine? Why inform citizens on the precautions to prevent the spread? The same was said about HIV and for a time Ebola. This is the kind of thinking that is causing the lethality of this virus to increase.
Kenton Chance, I have noted, that you have failed, neglected and or refused to publish my comments on this post and some other posts.
I am very fearless and courageous.
I shall NOT and shall NEVER surrender and or waive my believes now and or the future,
Ricardo Francis, Prime Minister of St, Vincent and the Grenadines in Waiting and in the Making
You say while this one is permitted. HMMMMMMM
I wrote a comment about this opinion days ago but Kenton did not publish it. Let me just make it shorter this time and see if Kenton posts it. I find that this article was written by someone disparate to encourage people to get vaccinated. I WONDER WHO THAT IS? so much information in the world researched by REAL experts suggests that the information in this article is NOT TRUE. People! Do not fall for it!
Who are these experts that refute what has been said in this article? I would very much like to know.
Now what does dat have to do with the PM or Stevenson who ain’t know they right foot from they left in football or politics. Anyway is COVID-19 Blood clot worse than the Jamaican Blood clart or is the Jamaican Blood Clart worse than COVID -19 Blood clot ? Can someone get a Jamaican to answer dat for me since I done take the Blood clart vaccine. This thing got me wondering suppose now some body in Europe say they get a Bumba…..you get my drift GO TAKE THE VACCINE. Dem Europeans just looking for an excuse to don’t pay we reparations.
Concerning the ingredients of vaccines of the last decades, those obedient to God’s requirements cannot disobey HIM to oblige the agenda of these end-times. We ought to obey God rather than men, Peter and the disciples tell us.
God says, Do not kill! How can believers take into their body murdered fetuses.
God says, Abstain from unclean foods! How can believers pick and choose when and what to obey and disobey against God’s requirements for professing believers.
God created man with an immune system that should be in optimum condition throughout our lifetime. Then a laboratory concoction would not be necessary to attempt to substitute God’s wise Creation.
Teach the people to obey God in health, and in Christian living as His word teaches.
God says to us: Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
Whoop. You done goofed. Fetuses? That’s new. Why build a house to protect you from the elements? Why patch up a wound when you are cut. Why swim when you are not a fish. GOD gave you a brain, I suggest you use it.
The match was a disaster after a recent thumping by Dominica 1-0. Curacao trashed SVG national squad, scoring in the first minute, the 17th, the 35th, the 45th; the 87th minute. Our boys looked flabbergasted. this was like FC Barcelona vs Longford FC.
Y’all aint understand , they bring this virus to decrease the world population thats why tje death toll is still raising today.