Confrontation to Vaccination

OPINION | page 7 CONFRONTATION TO VACCINATION

Students weigh in on the controversy surrounding the release of the Coronavirus vaccine.

By Chris Koch

News & Co Radio Editor

The coronavirus pandemic is reaching an all time high with death rates exceeding 1000 deaths every day. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. The Pfizer vaccine was recently authorized by the FDA for emergency use in the United States. About a week after the Pfizer authorization, the Moderna vaccine was authorized for emergency use in the United States.

There is controversy about whether or not the vaccine is safe to use. A pole was taken on the Cedar Post instagram account. Here is the result:

Out of 169 voters: 42.2% voted yes to taking the vaccine and 57.8% voted no to taking the vaccine (this only applies to those who are similar to the volunteers who responded to the Instagram poll).

Grace Walker, one of the responders to the pole, said “I want to take it so I am not contracting and spreading a deadly disease.” She also thinks that seeing high officials like President-Elect Biden and Vice President Pence receive the vaccine can help convince people that the vaccine is safe. “I trust medical authorities more than politicians but I guess seeing those people take it could help someone feel more safe.” Walker said.

There is a group of people who are recommended to not take the Pfizer vaccine. This group includes those who are pregnant, have allergies, are under 16, lactating, have HIV, are on immunosuppressant therapy, and have received or plan to receive another vaccine soon.

Based on studies conducted by the FDA, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are deemed safe and effective against COVID-19 (95% effectiveness rate).

Taking the vaccine is a personal choice; however, mass vaccination would help defeat the virus that has taken over 1.9 million lives globally and over 360,000 in the United States.

Photo corteousy of Tracey Koch

Above: (left) Nurse Tracey Koch receives her first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. (right) Results of a poll reflecting students’ oppinions on getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

Silver linings that came of of this past year.

By Fallyn O’Connor & Lucy Allen Opinion Editor & Multi Media Editor

After an eventful year, it is easy to focus on the catastrophies that occured. However, if you look back on this past year, there are still silver linings that can be found. Here are some postive things that came out of 2020: ments, it can also bring a family closer together. During quarantine families were forced to put their differences aside and find some common ground. Because people were stuck in their homes there was no other option but to spend time with your family and to make the most of it.

Pets Adopted

What’s better company than a furry friend while you are locked up at home and unable to go anywhere amidst a pandemic? Shelters and rescue organizations across the United States reported that there was lots of interest shown in fostering and adopting animals during this hard time. This increase in adoptions was not only good for pets getting homes, but pets also help to improve our mental health.

Great Music Realeased

Many artists created new songs for their loyal fans even in the midst of the pandemic. Artists such as Twenty One Pilots, Alex Benjamin, Megan B Stallion, and Taylor Swift have made the best of the situation by making music that listeners can enjoy during these stressful times. got people to realize how important healthcare people are and what they do. This then followed with people showing their appreciation and love to the men and women in the healthcare field through different ways. Whether it was drawing positive signs, or giving healthcare workers free meals. This pandemic is not the best but it has allowed us to see what truly matters.

New Hobbies

With the pandemic hit and people were forced to stay home people learned new skills and hobbies to avoid boredom. People tried new things or picked up something they always wanted to learn how to do. These new hobbies filled the time while we waited to safely venture into public settings again. These new skills will be helpful in the future for when we need them. It is a good thing that we had the the time to pick up new skills.