As we awoke on the day after Thanksgiving, we heard the news that a new strain of the coronavirus had emerged worrying politicians and doctors alike.
So much is unknown right now that we are not here to be in hysterics about what the virus is or isn’t. We think it was prudent to shut down travel from the areas suspected of having the Omicron variant spreading in the southern part of Africa.
But what we do know and what we want is for everyone to get fully vaccinated as well as get their booster shot. We think it is time for a broader push for mandates from both the private and public sector as well.
As New Jersey state officials warned earlier this Fall, cases are rising as the holiday season arrives and more events move inside. But hospilizations—which has always been the focus of health officials—are not close to the levels last year when three times as many as our families and friends were in the hospital because of this wretched virus.
The only real difference between now and then is that we have a vaccine program. The Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson medicines do not completely stop the spread of the disease, but it makes cases much less severe. The numbers are clear in New Jersey: those that are unvaccinated are making up all but 1% of the hospitalizations and even more limited for those dying.
When the vaccine first came out, we understood if anyone was skeptical. We take medicines every day that can cause life threatening side effects and wanting to know more about what was being injected into our bodies was prudent. But with the advantages dwarfing the very few negatives in the last 11 months, we are puzzled by the strong but increasingly smaller minority who twist themselves in knots believing anyone else but the doctors and experts who are backing the vaccine and the results we have seen since it became available.
That is why we are calling for more mandates from both the government and private sector. It has worked—look how vaccine rates increased across the river for New York City when the city government put their requirements in place for their workers. And the predicted mass exodus of New Jersey for teachers and state workers never came to pass when the Garden State’s mandates were put in place.
For those who believe a testing option should suffice, we offer this financial stat that Gov. Phil Murphy offered the other day: it is costing New Jersey $12 million a month to test the state workforce that is not vaccinated.
We hear a lot about the freedoms and rights of those who are against the health protocols of vaccines and masks. It is time to start aggressively fighting more for those who actually live by the rules that an overwhelming majority of our nation adhere to because it is the right thing to do for their family, friends and neighbors.
We live in a society where requirements—laws—are expected to be followed to enjoy the freedoms that almost no other country in the world have. It is time we include being vaccinated for a deadly virus that has killed 777,000 Americans in 21 months as a passport to participate in our society.
I have a very close friend who is critically allergic to the serum that is used in all the vaccines, something she discovered empirically when another vaccine threatened her life. So she has a legitimate pharmaceutical reason why she can’t be vaccinated, although the pill form may offer her hope. But that is the only legitimate reason I’ve heard for not getting vaccinated; there are likely other similar circumstances. But politics and religion are not excuses, especially the latter: the God of my understanding gave us the wisdom to quest for relief from disease and the knowledge of how to do it.
The jab has NOT been proven safe at all and has in fact killed more people than the virus has. The doctors and scientists around the world that are actually telling the truth on this matter are being censored. If the teleprompter reading, bobble head, mainstream media people told the truth, most people would not take the death jabs. The jabs are only being used to achieve totalitarianism, not health. Just the fact that “natural immunity” is not recognized shows that fauci is not following any science in his jab forcing agenda. Additionally, the fact that congress, their aides, postal workers, pharmaceutical employees and many other groups are not forced to take the jab, is proof it is not all its made out to be. If it was so darn good and so necessary, all of these people would have been the first to take the jab. Lastly, but not least, if the ingredients are so safe, why is Pfizer petitioning the courts to not release the complete list of ingredients for 55 years, when most adults alive now will be long dead. These are the facts people. WAKE UP, before its too late.
I believe in the vaccine, and I am vaccinated. I think I’m protected and I could care less if someone else decides it is best for them not to be. It is their right to refuse the injection.
And we will not know the actual ramifications of these “vaccines” for a very long time – some people are not willing to put things into their body that clearly have not been tested thoroughly – and where so many Dr’s have differences of opinions as to what these vaccines are actually doing – Since when does government get to dictate an understudied vaccine must be injected into people?
My God gave me a mind and a will to reason – if all of the actual information about this vaccine is ever given to the american public then we can make an informed decision
You cannot force a person to take any sort of medical treatment, vaccine, or procedure, for any reason, ever. I get to decide what goes in my body. Period. You have reached your vaccine “quota.” The rest of us, and there are millions, are never getting your jab. My advice would be to back off on the mandates and mind your own business. The resistance will never ever end.
This Op-Ed is more communist push. America is well was a Free country You totally leave out people who had Covid and survived as 99% did. They/we don’t need your drug. U keep bringing up 770k dead normal flu kills 220k a year so I would like the exact cases of the other 500. Already way old or half dead from the real threat in this country obesity? Covid was a plot that NoOne wants to explore how it started. Curious timing Dems lose Virginia almost lost NJ polls dropping and now another fearmonger moment. Please. Not falling for your plot
Aren’t there other treatments???…let ’em loose.
Perhaps, some peeps are sick of big pharma and big government.
There is no reason for anyone other those who are at risk or who want the vax or booster to get it. No reason. The vaxxes do NOT stop infection or transmission. All they do is protect the person receiving it for a limited time . The vaxes are not very effective at all . They have serious side effects and they have injured and killed thousands of people. For anyone in a position of power to push for mandates os CRIMINALLY irresponsible
At least the NJ news has the sense to clearly label this article an “opinion”
And its a faulty misguided opinion and one if followed will hurt many people
In fact when one takes a close look at the statistics and the data from all over the world it turns out that the vaccines have not been effective at all in reducing all cause mortality. I repeat that: the vaccines have not made any difference at all.
No one should take one unless they are at risk, or they really really want to take one. Everyone else should just be left alone. There is no justification at all for faxing passports or mandates of any kind
None whatsoever. All of this bloviating about forcing people to take passports it’s just political vindictiveness
Whatever happened to “my body, my choice”? Does that only apply to abortions?
My God gave me free will and the wisdom to choose.
Fact #1 – Vaccines make it about 5x less likely that you’ll get infected and about 15x less likely that you’ll be hospitalized or die from COVID.
Fact #2 – Vaccines have not killed thousands of people and the so called “injuries” are side effects that are temporary or treatable in all instances.
Fact #3 – COVID has killed over 770,000 Americans, with numbers actually likely to be underestimated because many have pressured their doctors into falsely indicating other causes of death of family members because of the political imperatives.
A tiny number of more severe side effects or 770,000+ deaths. Your choice.
Would it be more vindictive to push for vaccine mandates, or to hope that unvaccinated Republicans die of COVID? You tell me, please, which?
This is obviously a left wing rag so what’s the point here? Anyone with critical thinking skills and that has done the research wouldn’t put this into their body. Let me be clear that this is not a vaccine. It’s a gene based viral therapy
You won’t be able to work, you won’t be able to receive medical care, you won’t be able to participate in any facet of society. If that’s what you want, go for it.
In case you haven’t read this, the new variant, Omicron reinfects those with so-called “natural immunity,” which is is highly variable and not at all durable compared with vaccine immunity.
Dirk, please read the following link concerning the efficacy of vaccines and boosters, which have been proven to both prevent infection as well as severe disease. Not perfect, not 100%, subject to reduction in immunity over time, but damned good, overall.
https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/exclusives/95874?xid=nl_covidupdate_2021-11-29&eun=g1477275d0r&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyUpdate_112921&utm_term=NL_Gen_Int_Daily_News_Update_active
Dr. Robert Malone, inventor of the mRNA technology: Don’t get the vaccine.
Dr. Luke Montagnier, Nobel Prize recipient for discovering HIV virus: Don’t get the vaccine.
Dr. Zev Zelenko, inventor of the Zelenko protocol and doctor to the former P.M. of Israel: Don’t get the vaccine.
Dr. Peter McCullough, cardiologist and chief editor of two medical publications: Don’t get the vaccine.
Dr. Judy Mikovitz, worked closely with Fauci for many years: Don’t get the vaccine.
The list of eminent scientists, physicians, and researchers who strongly advise against the “vaccine” is long and growing. They have nothing to gain by speaking out, and risk losing their status and positions by doing so. You, on the other hand, are just following the lemmings off the cliff…
Your reply is full of misinfo.
Here is the complete story on Dr. Malone.
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2021/08/robert-malone-vaccine-inventor-vaccine-skeptic/619734/
What this here article maybe advocating is in fact, a down & 0ut-rite Bolshevism!! Being perpetuated by those Pharma Bolshevik’s!! Now, we got Corporation’s laying down & leading the Law’s!! WOW! Now; How American is that; 0r’n is IT!!//
Why is there so much red-baiting on this comment thread? In case the news hasn’t reached you, Bolshevism and Communism are long dead in most corners of the world, and are not a threat to our country. If you haven’t crawled out of the jungle from your WWII or Vietnam War tour of duty, then it’s time to come to grips with current realities.
For avoidance of doubt, the current vaccine debate, for better or worse, has exactly zero to do with Communism or Bolshevism.