Orville Taylor | It’s not just vaccine hesitancy – it’s credibility

In the old days when many antibiotics and other medication were administered in the gluteus maximus, it was clumsy at least to have to express in Jamaican Patwa that one got a ‘juck’ in one’s rear end. Indeed, in primary school, it was almost a scarlet letter, and the cruel taunting among boys put it in the same category as being caned. With the English word ‘prick’ being now more commonplace, one thankfully no longer has to offer up the same muscle. Rather, simply put the shoulder to the ‘heal’, and the process of protection from the adverse effects of COVID-19 will be greatly increased.

Let me make it clear. There is no such thing as a perfect treatment or any medication or vaccine or anything created by man that is 100 per cent safe. However, what is irrefutable from all the data sources and the research is that the vaccines reduce i) the likelihood of being infected; ii) the probability of becoming very ill after being infected and being hospitalised; and iii) having a chauffeur drive in a black limousine neatly packed in a shiny box.

At present, all COVID-19 beds and spaces available in all hospitals across the country are as full as an illegal Kingston taxi, and some have less space than a Westmoreland bike taxi with a passenger. If one gets terribly ill now, there might not be any room for her in any of the health facilities. She might be your grandmother or mother based on the demographic patterns. However, an increasing number of young people, including children, are being infected with severe symptoms. It could be your child or you.

99 PER CENT OF DEAD were NOT VACCINATED

In the USA, especially in the states where the local leadership and political sycophants have either downplayed the crisis or blocked vaccination and other protective measures, the unvaccinated comprise more than 98 per cent of all persons who are critically ill. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in the USA, around 99 per cent of those who have died in the past few months never faced the needle. According to CDC Director Dr Rochelle Walensky, “nearly every death, especially among adults, due to COVID-19, is, at this point, entirely preventable”. True. Zero-point-eight per cent of those who died were fully vaccinated. But what is the greater risk nationally?

America is around 53 per cent fully vaccinated and another 10 per cent partially pricked. Yet there is so much unused vaccine and so much unwillingness to take it that the government might have no choice but to either dump it or send to the developing world, where it is still in short supply.

Still, we have a similar dilemma because despite being way below target levels, Jamaica has a stockpile of vaccines that is in danger of being spoiled. For all the horror stories and first-hand evidence of severe and tragic outcomes, there is no vaccination party and the ice cream is in danger of melting.

And why? In the early years of our self-governance, Government took the bold step in promoting national vaccination against many diseases. People believed our leaders across the political divide. In the 1980s, early into the Edward Seaga Jamaica Labour Party administration, we were faced with another blast from the past when polio came back into the country without the necessary travel documents.

Pappa Eddie was decisive and cancelled a lot of popular activities, and the message was clear and unambiguous. Despite a few casualties, we won that battle.

A few months ago, we were winning the battle with COVID-19, but when a crocodile is captured, the best way to secure its mouth is to wrap it until it you are confident that it is safe … then you wrap it two more times. We had victory over the rate of infection and economic continuation in sight and we dropped both balls.

DON’T APPEAR SCARED

Despite the ‘let that sink in’ message from Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton and the RJR/Gleaner poster children, government officials themselves do not appear scared. A Cabinet that approved what looks like unrestricted licence to party and gather indoors and outdoors, whether in praise of Mammon or The Lord, loses its message, and the recipients get a different memo.

In a country where more than 83 per cent of the population do not trust politicians and 75 per cent do not believe elected officials, different voices are needed. Unfortunately, too many of the other civil and civic leaders also have major trust issues, too. Leaders must appear to walk the talk. Thus, political leaders must be adhering to protocols. Business leaders who ask their staff to cut costs must first reduce their top-heavy friend lists. Academics must act in concert with their research and grand speeches.

Anyway, let this sink in: Statistically, you have a greater chance of catching and dying from COVID-19 if you don’t vaccinate than you have of ever winning anything from the lotto. Choose wisely.

- Dr Orville Taylor is head of the Department of Sociology at The University of the West Indies, a radio talk-show host, and author of ‘Broken Promises, Hearts and Pockets’. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and tayloronblackline@hotmail.com.