Why must a Parent choose? It’s Jab Time!

I’ve been applauded for having my priorities in line for as long as I can remember. I was always the good kid in class, following the rules, helping the teacher as well as my fellow classmates, and appropriately recognized for this. I was the smart kid, but also the jock who would outwork the rest. I got along with the athletes, the band members and the geniuses, swimming against the flow to be friends of all while deflecting bullies. I followed the WWJD movement of the 90’s to a “T” and wrote it in my life’s code. And that code has served me well.

I’ve also listened to “experts” recently in an attempt to break into the online marketplace, as anyone who has read my recent works can tell, by trying to tune recent blog articles towards a niche. Within, and alongside these suggestions, I’ve heard a few other messages that suggest being oneself is the best way to set ones’ “self” apart including Matthew McCconaughey’s suggestion of being “wet $h!7” in Greenlights. A book full of awesome sayings, one liners and superb entertainment (you’ll have to read or listen to his book to get this reference). However, more than likening myself to bowel movement, I wish to be more of a magnet – all great leaders are such. They attract and repel at the same time. That was and IS Jesus. WWJD? He was upset often and sought council through prayer with his Father, raging when necessary to get his point across.

As I said, I have always been applauded for making the right choices based on my priorities, and continue to receive words of recognition in this vein as a parent. But, I find myself tired now, sickened by the pressure that I knew was coming from the start of this pandemic and polarizing parents in my generation. That is why I am choosing to stray from my originally planned post. I hope to explain the anguish that is felt amongst many in my generation by asking a few questions including this one: Why must we as parents choose…a side? Because that is what it has become – not a health decision, but a side.

As a clear disclaimer – I (along with Aaron Rodgers apparently) can give two flying rips about politics. The behavior I see displayed from both “sides” is abhorrent to me. If you want to get vaccinated, fine. If you don’t, fine – this should not have any bearing on who we are as people. What I do not agree with is the force, and more importantly, the guilt being used to mandate vaccination. It just does not make sense to me based on these questions I feel we as parents and protectors of our families should demand an answer for – as people, not political parties. I fear full understanding is not possible as long as it is advantageous to a few for us to be left in the dark.

Unfortunately we are so deep in this pandemic of controversy, it is impossible to state these questions without conjuring up an emotional response in just about everyone who will read this. I am not looking for applause, nor am I looking for a fight. I simply have questions, and hope these questions can be seen as valid from both “sides” without creating an anger response.

Personally, I feel much of the hostility my generation feels is from the compounding impact of so many unanswered questions. And when a very impactful decision is literally being made for an individual, it is no wonder those in my position are feeling like a cornered dog – a fight or flight response is inevitable.

If you have credible answers for the below questions, please share them for my education as well as any readers. It will allow me to have more peace with my decisions and plans going forward, of which I will conclude this post.

1) Why require vaccinations and not masks in public venues (and soon everywhere)?

Leah and I recently took our kids to their very first concert. In order to attend, we had to provide proof of vaccination or a negative test within the last 48 hours. My family, all four of us, being currently unvaccinated, took the rapid test on our drive up to the venue. We were able to print out our negative results and gain entry. Great. Yet, not a single solitary person was asked to mask or social distance. We can all spread the virus – even when vaccinated! IT IS NOT A GET OUT OF JAIL FREE PASS! Why does having a vaccination card give one immunity from spreading COVID? It doesn’t!

2) Why has antibody testing not been refined to give an ample measure of immunity?

Vaccinations provide your body with the ability to make and build up antibodies in an effort to fight off a virus. That is what it does. This is also what your body does in response to being infected by a virus – it makes anti-bodies so it is more prepared for the next attack. It is a beautiful and natural defense mechanism God has blessed us with.

I understand currently that tests of antibody levels after vaccination are not found to be valid in predicting effectiveness. Is it possible those with low or no antibodies post vaccine are the individuals that can still pass the virus? On the flip side, why do some unvaccinated individuals have mild responses. Are we still studying this? I feel a deeper understanding of our populations’ bodily response to Covid could be gleaned without a blank slate push for a manufactured answer.

Our whole family has had Covid-19, all four of us. To us, it manifested as a cold. We have all been more sick, much more sick. I am so grateful it was not worse for any of us. Yet, now I know our bodies were able to produce the appropriate anti-bodies in which to fight this virrus off. Why do I need an injection to do the same?

If we are honestly not afraid of what a virus can do to us personally, and with the right precautions (hygiene, facemask, distancing…) are just as likely to spread it as a vaccinated individual, and are rightfully cautious about what we inject our healthy bodies with, WHY DO WE HAVE TO BE VACCINATED?

3) Why is the origin of Covid-19 still an unknown?

Yeah, it does matter. I know it is here, and here to stay, so we must deal with it. However, if the evolution of a virus was such that it naturally occurred, why not say that? That would be simple. I’ll just leave that question where it stands.

4) Why is it being pushed on children as if they have a choice?

Aside from the unknown long term effects of the Covid vaccine in adults, how can we even fathom doing this with our kids? THEY ARE STILL DEVELOPING! Polio, different. MMR, different. These are crippling and fatal and fully researched diseases for children. But Covid? At least the strain that the vaccine is effective against, is so marginally impactful to our youth, why take any chance with them?

Why are we saying that our eight year old’s are capable of making a choice when they instinctually segregate themselves on the playground over the most menial things? “All those with shoes purchased in the last week are on my team – the best team. All those with shoes older than two weeks old are on the Losers team.” It is only a matter of weeks until are kids are segregating themselves into vaccination status groups. Now, we are going act like the choice to be vaccinated is in their hands? Thanks Sesame Street!

5) Why are we not talking about healthy choices to support the miracle machine our body is already?

I covered this topic in depth in another post. I’d highly suggest you check it out as current news coverage is doing little to discuss proactive health with or without the vaccine. I am going to simply leave the link here: How to Protect Young Families from Illness – are We Missing Something Obvious?

STOP IT WITH THE GUILT! C’mon!

Almost as in a dream, I have seen this coming. I hate that it has come down to a parent deciding to put their career and family’s well being on the line, making a decision over something so wrongfully politicized. I hate having to hear what pressures my eight year old nephew is already experiencing in public schools. I hate having a conversation with my wife who is more fearful of a vaccine’s side effects than the virus it is intended to fight because she knows and listens to her body so well.

It is not right to be forced or shamed into doing something that at the core seems so dirty. I know there are parents who feel the same.

What are we going to do?

I have wrested with, prayed about and researched this topic. Here are the conclusions I have arrived at. Since all seven of you are waiting on the edge of your seat to hear, I personally plan on getting vaccinated in order to support my family. I have an awesome responsibility granted to me to lead and support my family. I will be working the next PT contract in Oregon where it is currently mandated that all health professionals be vaccinated. I have made this decision based on another of my life’s codes: 1. The Lord is First. He has made it clear that we are to respect and follow the direction of our leaders if it does not go against His laws – this is not “The Mark”. 2. My Family is Second. I have a duty to support and provide, and will at all costs without going against my morals. 3. I am Third.

As I said, Leah is has additional reservations regarding the vaccine. We know her body is sensitive yet strong, and hope to not have to mess with it any further. As far as our children, we are blessed to be in a position where they will not be exposed to daily peer pressure. We feel they are safe and are choosing not to vaccinate them with a vaccine that has not had the time to be studied long term.

See, I told you. I have most likely stirred some sort of emotional response through simply stating, what I feel, are fair questions for parents of my generation to be asking. I see individuals who have chosen to be vaccinated, as well as those that have chosen to forgo the vaccination as brothers and sisters and I listen to them. All I ask is you do the same – remove the polarization that is being forced down our throats, and see people as people who are faced with a choice and making one. We are blessed to live in America where there has always been a choice.

I am not anti-vaccine. I am anti-mandate. We have an obligation to protect our fellow man and obey leadership… as long as we are praying for God’s hand to be involved in the decision making. I pray the divide that has been created can be overcome with love for one another. I pray our children will be able to grasp this love and we can somehow grow stronger, recognizing our faults with more clarity once this plays out.

And I pray for your family, and your choice. That God lead you in the right decision for your family.

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest. The next articles promise to be more “useable and marketable” material per the “experts” with awesome pictures of our adventures. Until then…

Enjoy Your Journey!