Trey Mustian, Chair, Jefferson Parish Democratic Executive Committee
I haven’t engaged in a good rant in awhile, so here goes:
The problem we find ourselves in with COVID was totally predictable and preventable. The pandemic was politicized from the beginning. If we are to have any hope of ending it, that has to stop. We have to stop trying to score points and be “right.”
The obvious solution is for everyone to get vaccinated. That is not politics. It is science. The science is undeniable. The vaccine is tremendously effective in preventing infection and even more effective in preventing serious cases and death. The numbers compel no other conclusion. While there are a small number of folks who cannot be vaccinated, the vast majority of people who are refusing have no good reason.
Freedom? When your refusal to get vaccinated threatens my health, my economy and livelihood, plus my ability to socialize and go places, then MY freedom is affected.
Skeptical because of previous government misdeeds or malfeasance? There is no evidence that is happening now.
Waiting for FDA final approval? Don’t. Approval is an inevitable formality, the vaccine is already FDA approved for emergency use, and this IS an emergency. The polio vaccine was rolled out before final approval, too.
Believe the vaccine is just a way for the government to control us? Really? Do you think there’s a chip in every vaccine needle that allows Big Brother to track our every movement? Well, let me ask you this: Do you have a cell phone? We may have lost some privacy with the technology widely available now, but do you really think a life-saving vaccine has anything to do with that? And are you totally unaware of the severity of this threat? Stop listening to evil, lying politicians using this crisis for their selfish political gain. (I’m referring to you, Steve Scalise.)
If you have another reason for not getting vaccinated, lay it on me — and I’ll tell you why you’re wrong. I’ll tell you to get vaccinated for you, your family, your kids and grandkids and your country. Because I absolutely believe that getting vaccinated when you have doubts is an act of patriotism. So be a patriot.
And stop worrying about how the virus started. Who cares whether it was a rat, a monkey or a lab accident? Answering that is about as helpful as wondering why, back in the dark days of World War II, Hitler launched his bid for world domination — it doesn’t address the existential problem threatening us right now.
One more thing: No, undocumented immigrants are not to blame for the spread of Covid. Instead, put the blame on millions of good ol’ U.S. citizens. To them I ask, what guidance are you following? Scalise’s lies? Well, maybe you should know that even he finally got vaccinated.
So ignore the lies, follow the truth, save yourselves and your family, wear a mask, and get vaccinated. I’m begging you.
End of rant.