Opinion
To vaccinate or not to vaccinate: Not so obvious
By
Eva Analitis
· Tuesday, April 13, 2021
The time has finally come. For some, the day we’ve been waiting for: the chance to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. For others, the day they’ve feared: the University’s vaccination requirement for fall enrollment. This is not to say that campus is evenly divided between these two groups, but simply, that emotions of excitement and concern are both substantially present. At this point, you might have strong feelings either way, whether the University should require vaccination of students: *eye roll* “Duhh!” or *angry face* “Absolutely not!” Before you tune out the rest of what I have to say, however, because the answer seems obvious to you, consider the following: While it may be the obvious choice to get the vaccine as soon as possible for someone living in a multigenerational household in a city that has been a COVID-19 hotspot, it’s not so obvious for someone who lives with young, healthy parents or guardians in a remote area that has not been hard-hit by the virus. While the vaccination requirement might be an obvious issue of personal freedom to one person, it may be an obvious community obligation to someone else who regularly interacts with immunocompromised individuals or who has lost a loved one to the virus. It would do us all some good to be a little less sure that our stance is the morally superior one. That said, I invite you to come along with me to wrestle with the issue on one condition: that you momentarily step aside from what you think is obvious.
Consider this a sign: Check in with yourself, check in with your friends
Monday, April 12, 2021
Nathalie García
Trending
