It’s 2022 and we’re still talking about the damn election, masks and vaccinations. COVID has been ravaging this country for almost three years and yeah, masks and vaxxing do help prevent the spread. 

I have family members who have become seriously ill with COVID, requiring hospitalization. One was given a 50-50 chance of surviving, which she did but they’re still not vaxxed.

I have come to realize that I am mostly talking to people with my same beliefs. We need to understand the other side, so when an opportunity came up while flying, I had the conversation.

Maybe it wasn’t the best place to talk but my seatmate was willing. He was wearing a mask only when the attendants were close. He had a drink but wasn’t sipping, so I asked him to wear his mask when he wasn’t drinking. He did and our conversation ensued from there.

He didn’t think anyone should have to vaccinate or wear a mask because it infringed upon his rights. I thought it was about keeping his community safe. He felt no one should tell him what to do with his body. I said failure to get vaccinated infringed on others’ rights to feel safe. I tried to understand his perspective but couldn’t. In the end, we would never convince the other of our beliefs.

To me, it’s about protecting everyone. To him, it’s about liberty. It’s as simple as that. Reasons for not getting vaxxed seem mostly about politics — the election! — even though it protects you, your family, friends and community. 

I do believe in the right to choose, but not when it negatively impacts everyone else. The virus is still here, killing mostly people who aren’t vaccinated. It didn’t have to be this way.

Donna Geer
PORT LUDLOW