COVID-19 MYTHBUSTERS Myth: “It’s Just the Flu!” FACT: Covid has killed over 1 million people since March 2020 in the United States. The flu has killed 14,748 at the most in the same time. Additionally flu deaths are lower than before (when the average was still up to 52,000 a year, still way below covid death rates) because people have been wearing masks, distancing, and washing their hands more frequently.
Myth: “There’s a Microchip in the Vaccine!” FACT: The smallest microchip is the size of a grain of rice, still too big to inject into a human arm. Second, microchips need power sources and then they would have to transmit a signal through your skin, fat, and muscle which is not possible.
Myth: “Oh yeah, what about pet microchips?” FACT: The kind of microchip that sits under a dog or cat’s skin is too small to contain the complex hardware required to track them via GPS, and can only be read up close by a microchip scanner, at the vet’s office. Additionally, GPS trackers need to be charged.
Myth: “The Vaccine Has Turned People Into Zombies.” FACT: Some people have thought that the movie I am Legend was a blueprint for the Covid-19 pandemic. In the film, it isn’t actually a vaccine but the virus itself that causes the transition. Regardless, this myth is based on a fictional story.
Myth: “Natural Immunity is Just as Good or Better Than a Vaccine.” FACT: Temporary immunity from getting infected fades quickly afterwards. The vaccine will not prevent you from catching Covid or developing long term symptoms but it does decrease your risk of severe illness or death. The vaccine is not a magic bullet, but it’s one of many things you can do to keep yourself and your family safer.
Fast Facts There has been a 99% decrease in deaths from diphtheria, mumps, pertussis, and tetanus since the widespread use of vaccines in children since 1980. Endemic transmission of poliovirus and the measles and rubella viruses was eliminated in the United States and smallpox had been eradicated worldwide however an unvaccinated individual in New York recently became ill from the polio virus and is now paralyzed. No medical intervention is without some risk! But vaccines and vaccine technology have been around for a long time, and we know they work. Getting vaccinated is just one way you can protect yourself and others from Covid. Wearing a mask, social distancing, and avoiding poorly ventilated crowded areas all help too! Even if you or a loved one does come into contact with the virus, reducing the amount of that contact can reduce the viral load in your body if you get sick. While vaccination curbs your risk of death or severe illness, 12-20% of people who become infected have lingering symptoms or Long Covid, a potentially disabling outcome. Stay informed, and make the best decisions for yourself and your family.