This is the perfect example of a doctor who (alongside with many many other health professionals) discredit the entire health industry. Anyone who does some research knows that the vaccinated can still contract as well as transmit the virus (hence the mask mandate even on vaccinated people) and yet he makes statements like these:
This time around, the unanticipated crisis driving the surge of cases was avoidable if enough people had taken the necessary precautions and got their Covid vaccines.
The surge of cases was unavoidable (send my regards to delta) but what is avoidable with the vaccine is hospitalisations. I can’t believe that a doctor with the his credentials doesn’t understand the difference. No wonder so many people stay hesitant.
Principle of charity would suggest he’s not making the strong claim except maybe in the possible world sense of a previous commenter. At any rate it’s not needed for his argument so better not to saddle him with it. Steel manning.
I thought his message about being non-judgmental when it comes to individual patient care was great but I agree that the statement you quoted doesn't seem accurate.
I agree, the inner conflict of not judging your patients for doctors must be tough. I can’t imagine how often they have to bite their tongue. And he did a good job using a variety of examples
With respect, in America we’ve conflated stupidity with freedom. If covid was the measles or polio everyone would get a shot. It’s about other people. Not you. Americans are privileged to have vaccines. The white privilege on display in the country is astounding. Turn the internet off. Believe science and get vaccinated. But if you think the social contract is fair weather then you’re going to die.
With respect, in America we’ve conflated stupidity with freedom.
I've thought about this, especially when I've heard conversations on about how inconveniences of any sort are interpreted as an infringement on "freedom." This pandemic has especially exacerbated everything about the self. No living being has ever accomplished anything without the contributions of others, whether or not they consciously recognize that. We protect each other when we mask up indoors and get vaccinated. Of course we are emotional beings and approaching a subject like vaccination is difficult with the state of this internet-driven world, but it is incredibly frustrating to hear about people wanting their "freedom" while having seen Covid destroy people.
But if you think the social contract is fair weather then you’re going to die.
Are you suggesting that everyone who doesn't get the vaccine is going to die from COVID? I'm struggling to square this statement with your plea to "believe science."
I can't tell if you're just venting your frustration into the void or if you're genuinely making an appeal for people to get vaccinated. If it's the latter, I have to say that I'm in agreement with what I perceive to be the thrust of the article which is that aggressive modes of communication (judging/shaming/scaring) are not only likely to be ineffective but counterproductive.
People need to get vaccinated. If they’re angry or sad or apathetic they need the jab. Doesn’t matter what I say just what we do. 90 days was all we needed. But instead, we chose 2 years + to get over this. If you’re not mad at what’s going on then I don’t know what to tell you. This should be a heart attack moment for us all. This article doesn’t go far enough.
But I like the author’s parallel to hard reduction approaches to addiction. I think it widens the space for compassion “when truth itself has supply-chain problems ”.
Let’s tone down the rhetoric and create opportunities whose purpose isn’t to convince people with contrary opinions that they’re behaving irresponsibly, but to invite them into our lives and appreciate why each of us might feel morally injured.
This is the perfect example of a doctor who (alongside with many many other health professionals) discredit the entire health industry. Anyone who does some research knows that the vaccinated can still contract as well as transmit the virus (hence the mask mandate even on vaccinated people) and yet he makes statements like these:
The surge of cases was unavoidable (send my regards to delta) but what is avoidable with the vaccine is hospitalisations. I can’t believe that a doctor with the his credentials doesn’t understand the difference. No wonder so many people stay hesitant.
Principle of charity would suggest he’s not making the strong claim except maybe in the possible world sense of a previous commenter. At any rate it’s not needed for his argument so better not to saddle him with it. Steel manning.
Very well put!
I thought his message about being non-judgmental when it comes to individual patient care was great but I agree that the statement you quoted doesn't seem accurate.
I agree, the inner conflict of not judging your patients for doctors must be tough. I can’t imagine how often they have to bite their tongue. And he did a good job using a variety of examples
With respect, in America we’ve conflated stupidity with freedom. If covid was the measles or polio everyone would get a shot. It’s about other people. Not you. Americans are privileged to have vaccines. The white privilege on display in the country is astounding. Turn the internet off. Believe science and get vaccinated. But if you think the social contract is fair weather then you’re going to die.
I've thought about this, especially when I've heard conversations on about how inconveniences of any sort are interpreted as an infringement on "freedom." This pandemic has especially exacerbated everything about the self. No living being has ever accomplished anything without the contributions of others, whether or not they consciously recognize that. We protect each other when we mask up indoors and get vaccinated. Of course we are emotional beings and approaching a subject like vaccination is difficult with the state of this internet-driven world, but it is incredibly frustrating to hear about people wanting their "freedom" while having seen Covid destroy people.
Are you suggesting that everyone who doesn't get the vaccine is going to die from COVID? I'm struggling to square this statement with your plea to "believe science."
I’m speaking in hyperbole. Of Course I don’t want everyone to die. Get the shot. It’s not about you.
I can't tell if you're just venting your frustration into the void or if you're genuinely making an appeal for people to get vaccinated. If it's the latter, I have to say that I'm in agreement with what I perceive to be the thrust of the article which is that aggressive modes of communication (judging/shaming/scaring) are not only likely to be ineffective but counterproductive.
People need to get vaccinated. If they’re angry or sad or apathetic they need the jab. Doesn’t matter what I say just what we do. 90 days was all we needed. But instead, we chose 2 years + to get over this. If you’re not mad at what’s going on then I don’t know what to tell you. This should be a heart attack moment for us all. This article doesn’t go far enough.
That’s understandable.
But I like the author’s parallel to hard reduction approaches to addiction. I think it widens the space for compassion “when truth itself has supply-chain problems ”.
"hard reduction" -> "harm reduction"
The question is what degree of discomfort we’re willing to accept to end this crisis.
I guess we’ll accept a lot of discomfort. This could Hs e been over in 90 days.
In some sense yes. But as we are not in that best of possible worlds, the question is, what now?
Death doesn’t care about “opinions”
No. But if we do, we open a space for less death. That, I think, is the analogy with harm reduction approaches.