Watching Morning Joe on MSNBC on August 6, 2021 (this morning) I saw an interview with an evangelical, about the outsized number of anti-vaxers, or vaccine hesitants, who are also evangelical. He said that being against vaccines and masking is a cultural thing among some evangelical groups, a sign of ones identity, of ones belonging to the group. He then followed this observation with a very strong reminder: “The virus doesn’t care.”
I am reminded of the Bible verse:
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
King James Bible, James 2:14
A more secular comment: doing or not doing something, because it is cool with your in-group, is something most of us were warned about in high school. “Would you jump off a cliff, if your friends told you to?”
Here is another warning, in case anyone missed the one from their parents.
If red or blue, or young or old,
No matter what tall tales you’re told,
The virus doesn’t care
That you were unaware.
If you belong, or you do not,
Or live in the remotest spot,
The virus doesn’t care.
And it will find you there.
It does not care what you believe,
Whose fault it was, you were deceived.
The virus doesn’t care.
You’ll find no comfort there.
It doesn’t care what news you watch,
What church you go to, very much.
The virus doesn’t care.
You’ll not be saved by prayer.
It doesn’t care, who’s wrong or right.
It doesn’t care how hard you fight.
The virus doesn’t care.
The virus isn’t fair.
Your freedom’s are at stake, you say.
The vaccine takes your rights away.
The virus doesn’t care.
There’s plenty blame to share.
If rich or poor, or black or white,
This bug will turn your day to night.
The virus doesn’t care.
So vax up, or beware!
Your obstinance, you can rescind.
Or, you can spit into the wind.
The virus doesn’t care.
And it is everywhere.
Defy it, if you dare.
Copyright 2021 Andrea LeDew
For another poem about the opportunistic nature of COVID-19, read The Opportunist.
For a peek back to the time when we really had no idea how to protect ourselves from the virus, read Bubble Chart.
For my take on “recommendations” and “suggestions” from government, in times of national emergency, try Just a Suggestion.
My dad always had a response to this particular bit of nonsense:
Your freedom’s are at stake, you say.
The vaccine takes your rights away.
“Your right to swing your fist ends where my nose begins.”
Nice! I’m going to remember that one!
Thanks!