Well, to participate in the discussion and to answer VVB's questions, here goes. I spent a good deal of time talking with the people who actually matter in this whole discussion, my Drs. and Nurses. These are he people to pay attention to because they live right here in the trenches with this disease. And they care about only one thing. They work hard to understand how this works and what will deal with it most effectively. So, their ideas and opinions are completely informed by their concern and experience.
It's east to see that these docs an nurses are working very hard to learn quickly as this whole thing developes. What I have learned is that this is a simple but very effective (in terms of it's ability to infect) virus. Doc put it like this. There are a range of viruses. On one end, those for which a vaccine is entirely effective small pox was one example. immune and done. Then their is herpes or even chicken pox (shingles) in your system for ever. Whether it manifests controlled by many factors, but always there. Then there's this Covid. The vaccine does not offer immunity, but protection from worse infection, maybe. And after you've had it you do have a certain level of immunity for a while, but he said it is not permemamt with this one. Tike cold or flu it can return in a variant. So, heard immunity carries a small credibility, but is by no means certain.
Like all infections, the key is always maintaining the best health we can as our defense.
I am political, and maintain interest in such things if for no other reason than to at least watch my back against the fools with an agenda.
But, honestly, this particular problem .........anyone trying to politisice this is a complete moron and in my opinion has NO credibility and is not worth paying any attention to.
This is a real problem with real consequences. And it's really insidious. In my case I felt bad to start, but no worse than maybe a cold coming on or something of that nature. But within the space of two days, things happened quickly. I went toward incoherent and disconnected so quickly it scared me. Apparently the real danger is how fast this thing will overtake your lungs and you will simply die for lack of oxygen. You won't even have lung fluid or any of the usual symptoms. Just not enough air and body shuts down. That is damn scary.
Now, this is my experience and a more or less common experience, but by not means the only way it can manifest.
I have lost two friends to this. One not long ago. And it was scary. We were together at an event, talking, enjoying and just living life in very normal terms. Then two weeks later this man is dead. He was in decent health. My take away from this is.....if you start having symptoms, act fast, because this will not give you much time. four to five days at most.
Now, about the vaccine. I don't know. Doc seems to believe that general it will do little harm and the effects could outweigh the risk. This one is a very personal decision and should be left there between you and your doc. My wife took it and did contract covid at the same time I did. Her vacccine was about two month prior. We are convinced that it helped her get through it with only mild symptoms of a cold. She is fine.
I could not take the vaccine. For me, the decision was already off of the table. At 20 I had Guillain Barre syndrome and was told not to vaccinate again. This thing took two and a half years of my life and I worked harder to recover from that than anything ever. So, I went with what I knew. I am very healthy, all vitals excellent, all blood and organ functions excellent, so I trusted against beating covid on health and medical assistance and it worked.
All I can tell anyone is if you feel the need to vaccinate, then do it. Pay no attention to anyone but the front line workers on this. They have the latest and best intel and no axes to grind. I was not a strong believer in things like masks. I now believe. Take precautions. simple and effective stuff. This is one of those times to thing for yourself and listen to council from those you trust.
Well, that's my experience. I will add that I am a man of strong faith, and I also have received divine assistance in this an so many other areas. It's not mystical, just a relationship with a loving and personal God.