My reasons for taking the jab

Was I in two minds? Definitely. Was I afraid to do it? Oh yes! Were there any side effects? You bet!

Taking the jab is clearly a controversial topic, but before putting a bounty on my head, please allow me my right to freedom of expression. Having had my first Pfizer jab recently I’m happy to say that I have not yet had any contact with an alien life form nor have I been kidnapped, tortured, forced or have grown an extra arm. Jokes aside, here’s why I took the jab …

1. I want life to get back to normal

I’m sick and tired of wearing a mask and sanitizing my hands until they bleed. I’ve already been through hundreds of plasters. I miss watching rugby in a stadium. If the jab means I can dress to kill in my Western Province regalia, set up a braai on the nearest street corner at Ellis Park, have a few cold ones before the match and shout from the top of my lungs with thousands of other crazy sport fans, again so be it.

2. It’s not just about me

We can’t take our five-year-old son anywhere and let him be a kid. Although I understand kids are less likely to get seriously ill, he can pass the virus on to me, his mom, grandparents and other people I care about, so I still have to be careful. Nowadays we first have to check out the restaurant or venue we would like to go to and then decide if it would be too crowded, then wait to be screened. When we eventually are allowed in I’m not hungry anymore. Once we sit down, we take off our masks in any case, so how does that protect me? I’ll rather get the jab so I can eat like a champ, and dance and party like in the late 90s. Just think about it. The zoo, entertainment venues, movies and major social events are either locked down, postponed or non-existent. Now what about the kids who can’t go out clubbing, just be a teenagers and have a good time, or meet other people? They have to sit metres apart at school, can’t flirt nor be real teens. If the jab means that kids, like my own, can just be kids again, so be it.

3. Vaccine hesitancy

I asked myself why would scientists deliberately inject and kill millions of people? Why would a massive pharmaceutical company, which has been manufacturing large volumes of various types medication for decades – some of which I have been taking every day for years – suddenly decide ‘let’s vaccinate people to death?’ It doesn’t make any sense. Surely they would rather be known as heroes instead of the villains that wiped out the human race?

I do, however, think somewhere, somehow, there is something fishy surrounding the pandemic and that governments (without mentioning any names) do take advantage of the pandemic, maybe even have their own agendas, but only time will tell.

Also, why should I refuse to be vaccinated, considering that I had all the required vaccinations as a child? Does it also really matter how fast or slow a vaccine was developed … two years, one year, six months? I believe vaccines obviously will have side effects but can’t the same be said about smoking, drinking, eating sweets, ice cream, sunlight, an unhealthy lifestyle etc? I still do many of these things and I’m still kicking.

4. Does the risk of taking the jab really outweigh the risk of being infected? I don’t think so

Can the same not be said about driving in a car every day? Are we not at risk of a serious road accident ? What about flying? Riding a motorcycle? Crossing a road? Working in a mine? Being a police officer or firefighter? What about drinking alcohol? I know it’s unhealthy and it could have serious health complications in the long run, but I still enjoy it, so what’s the difference? My point is there is a risk involved in almost everything I do daily. How are various other risks any different? If a jab means enjoying life, so be it.

5. Surely all medication poses a risk

Medicine in a child’s hand can be lethal, overdosing at any age can cause death, and dependency is a serious issue.

6. The ‘what if’ monkey

What if I decline the jab and I get seriously ill, or something even worse happens? I might infect someone else, and even cause that colleague or loved one’s death. I simply can’t live with that.

To illustrate my point: Terrified of heights, I once went on a ride at a theme park – big mistake, awful experience and I barely made it out alive, but I did make it. Why did I do it? Because I didn’t want the what if monkey on my back.

7. The money factor

If you claim to have been in contact with an infected person, employers require you to get tested before you return to work. At over R800 per test, it can get expensive. Becoming infected means one has to use one’s limited sick and annual leave. Lying about it could have serious consequences; you can lose your job or even worse, be charged with attempted murder. If taking the jab means I keep relatives and others safe, keep my job and save money, so be it.

8. Having a loved one with Covid-19 is no joke

My wife recently tested positive for Covid-19 and it was as if she was not home for 10 days. Our son and I couldn’t get near mommy. There were no hugs, no kisses nor going anywhere – that applied to me and my son too. If the jab means I can hug and kiss my beloved wife like there’s no tomorrow, so be it.

9. I believe it is the right thing to do

At the end of the day, my life is in God’s hands. What I am in control of, however, is to do the best I can to prevent harm not only to myself, but others; so if taking the jab means it is in the best interest of myself, loved ones and other people around me, so be it.

Speak to us. Share why you decided to take the jab or why not by sending an email to randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za or krugersdorpnews@caxton.co.za.