What a nice surprise to see honest opinions voiced without someone grandstanding an unfounded criticism or sniping. I will spend more time here. I am an NP and epidemiologist and did graduate work at UC Davis that focused on the detection of a malicious release of biological and/or chemical agents in human populations. I set up the fit testing (for respiratory protection) program for Cal Fire (big fire dept in Calif.) 20 years ago. Hanging out UC Davis, I worked with a group that figured out a way to create an immunization and have it in people's arms within 3 months. After 20 years, COVID forced them to pull the equipment out of the closet.
The process does not use either DNA or RNA. These guys are able to identify weaknesses in a pathogens shell and/or core, take a sample of the shell or core they want to target and create (kind of like making a cake) an antibody that will trigger our immune system to generate antibodies on its own. It takes a bunch of smart folks, some very expensive equipment, kick the machinery into gear, make sure you have the correct antibody and there are no contaminants in the brew, make a bunch of syringes and needles, create a delivery system for the syringes, needles and the immunization antibodies, gather thousands of nurses and start poking folks in their arms. It is all just short of magic.
But, we ain't done with this thing yet... As Dr Fouche has stressed: COVID is a new bug and we have to be smart and nimble to keep up with all of its antics. There is a good possibility that someone was brewing it up in a lab and it escaped but politicians have gotten into the fray and think that it is OK for them to disseminate some real loonie ideas (I'm trying to be kind here). It is a moderately harmful virus (1818 influenza is extremely harmful). Big problem is COVID has gone "air borne" and, as such, is highly transmissible. Some of us are more susceptible to the illness than others which leaves us at an increased level of risk for long haul symptoms and dying but one of the simplest ways to slow the spread of the COVID is wear a mask that provides excellent protection such as an N95.
I am 72. We have been full timing for the past 14 years and I am not done. We would like to keep wandering aimlessly as long as we can so we try to avoid doing things that put us at an increased level for injury or death. In addition, there is a housing shortage so even if we wanted to move into a stix n brix house the prices are just ridiculously high (I swore I was not going to pay a half million for a place to sleep). I have a very nice Moss 4 season tent that I enjoy using and the new inflatable mattresses are very comfortable. This lifestyle not only suits both of us but it allows us to isolate ourselves for extended periods of time.
We are both immunized and boosted and have suffered no harm. I truly understand just how precious life is and do not want to give up the next two decades for anything. Some of us are willing to put some relatively meaningless principals ahead of trying to stop the spread of this disease. Hopefully they will figure out that this is a pass fail endeavor before they get sick.
