ChristianWithLyme said...
I changed it, isitlyme. Thanks.
Lymie24, thanks for sharing. I rarely hear Alex Jones and can't comment on that info, but we are each going to have differing opinions on what are "trusted sources".
And as isitlyme mentioned, we can compare what we hear with other sources to try to confirm.
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There are more trustworthy, and credible sources than others. I get that no source is perfect. Every journalist outfit makes mistakes. However, based upon history, reputation, quality of work, and trustworthiness sources like the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, BBC, AP, Reuters, etc. are well ahead of people like Alex Jones. Mind you, that doesn't mean other sources always report dishonest news, but you have to be more careful with those sources. Other sources have clear biases, but confuse their viewers by having more fact based news on during the days, and opinion talk shows at night(CNN, MSNBC, Fox News)
Back to the vaccine, it makes me sad to see how politicized it has become. People have become fearful and confused and there will be a price to pay in mortality, morbidity (which you would think Lyme patients would be sensitive), and possible mutations due to continued spread and reproducing of COVID. That goes for more than just North America. The world is global now. As long as COVID continues to spread out of control in places like Africa humanity as a whole will continue to be at an increased risk.
The rhetoric, without convincing evidence or without a nuanced debate, is dangerous. I get that people actually believe this stuff. I do not doubt that those skeptical of the vaccine honestly believe what they say. However, at this point, the evidence does not support their conclusions. This is a problem because we are not rational animals. I studied the data, listened to experts, found more than just one voice or group to base my decision on. I knew that when using the concepts that help us determine about
what is most likely true about
the natural world...reason, logic, and the scientific method that the benefits outweighed the risks, according to current evidence, for myself and society. Even then, after I got my first COVID dose (Pfizer) the irrational voices in the back on my head almost caused me to have a panic attack as I was sitting in the parking lot for 15 minutes after the injection. I had to reach into my military bag and bring out the "warrior breathing" techniques to calm myself down. When I was in the military we had to get the flu vaccine every year. Did I react like that every year? Hell no. I didn't have large group of people trying to convince me that I was going to be seriously injured or killed.
I think people have been indoctrinated by those wishing to cast doubt on the vaccine. Skepticism is good. However, people do not apply the same level of skepticism to other areas of their lives. They don't apply that level to other drugs they take. They don't apply it to driving, playing sports, alcohol, smoking, drinking and driving, dietary habits, exercise routine, sedentary lifestyle, etc. etc.
Let's focus on medicine and treatments. There is far more evidence that the COVID vaccines are safe and effective than there is for ANY chronic Lyme treatment. In fact, not even a month ago I was hospitalized attempting Dr. Horowitz's double dapsone protocol. He is one of if not the leading expert on persistent Lyme! He made that protocol off of clinical experience and a chart review. Not the most rigorous study methods. We don't have any studies that I'm aware of that focuses on short and long term risks of long-term abx, or any other alternative therapy beyond that. Don't get me wrong. I understand the desperation that comes with this disease, and the willingness to take risks. My point is many here as Lyme patients have tried treatments in which safety and efficacy were unknown outside of a doctor's clinical experience yet doubt the safety and efficacy of a medicine that has way more evidence to prove it's safety and efficacy. It's illogical.