My Stance on the COVID-19 Vaccines

Initially, I was uncertain about my stance on the COVID-19 vaccines. This was due in part to public hysteria about COVID, accompanied by the constant pressure to get vaccinated from nearly all quarters—family, friends, co-workers, employers, corporate media, and government. 

It was also due to the fact that, as someone with a biochemistry background, I was keenly aware of the public health risk posed by SARS-CoV-2. But the same biochem background made me throw up my hands in utter consternation at the preposterous COVID-related assertions made by various government agencies and parroted in the mainstream media. These included suggestions that viral growth could occur on doorknobs, stanchions, and restaurant tables. 

Other clearly ludicrous ideas were propounded by family members and friends: Put all your clothing in the dryer as soon as you enter the house to remain safe. Don't touch your shoes; the virus may be growing on it. Shave your beard if you have one; it may be harboring virus. After a trip to the grocery store, wash (literally wash!) your groceries with soap and water to avoid getting virus. Wear a mask while walking outdoors in a park, even on a breezy day. 

Such was the hysteria that a blood relative, who is highly placed in the medical field, attempted to convince me and other family members to preemptively take hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), an anti-malarial, against SARS-CoV-2. He successfully convinced one of my relatives--also in the medical field--to take the drug. Soon after, HCQ was discredited as a COVID treatment. Risk of heart rhythm abnormalities, liver inflammation, and kidney failure were correlated with HCQ use. But neither the relative promulgating it, nor the one who took it, offered explanation or apology. 

The CDC's recommendations to the public--specifically about the propagation of virus--ranged from inconsistent to outright unscientific. And that was coming from a government agency tasked with protecting the public health. And Americans' reaction to the agency's guidelines illustrated complete ignorance about basic science. Unfortunately, the knowledge void allowed the most ridiculous ideas to be sold to the populace.

Due to my background in, and love for science, I wanted to read as much as possible about SARS-CoV-2 and the vaccines targeting it, and draw my own conclusions. And for that, I had to work hard to drown out the background cacophony.

While it is generally not considered proper to delve into another person’s health status (e.g. if she is fertile; if she has taken the MMR vaccine or seasonal flu shot; if she is using contraception, and so on), COVID-19 vaccination status seems completely exempt from all of this. It is perfectly acceptable to accost someone with the question "Are you vaccinated (for COVID)?" If the person answers in the negative, it is equally legit to deliver a proper browbeating on how she is selfish, a danger to society, etc. In a nation otherwise obsessed with privacy and personal choice, all of this is very contradictory.

There is vast guilt-tripping and the assumption that the un-vaccinated person is personally responsible for the demise of the public health. While it is not okay to accost someone and demand she stop smoking (since second hand smoke puts others at risk of various cancers), it is acceptable to pummel the unvaccinated person with the notion that she is endangering others by retaining that status. Alcoholics, homosexuals, obese people—none of these are given admonitions that they are endangering society with their choices (although it can be argued that they are, as a consequence of public endangerment during drunk driving; through decreased population numbers; or as a result of increased insurance costs, respectively). But, those who remain unvaccinated are regularly excoriated in the public sphere.

Some employers are making it mandatory to take the vaccine to continue employment. Similarly universities and colleges insist on vaccination as a prerequisite to attaining or completing a degree, never mind prior time and monetary investment by the student. All of this is, in my opinion, extortion. 

The experimental COVID vaccines exhibit an extremely high percentage of breakthrough infections. Such a large percentage was unheard of with other vaccines even in their incipient stages. (A small percentage of breakthrough infections are considered normal with any vaccine). One can take the COVID-19 vaccine, and still get a life-threatening dose of COVID. It is inexplicable. Even if COVID presents differently in vaccinated individuals (versus unvaccinated), the fact that the vaccinated person experienced illness at all is extremely off putting. For example, would you take the Polio vaccine if you thought you’d only get a little bit of Polio after taking it? Or take the MMR vaccine if you thought you'd just a touch of Rubella afterwards?

There are lotteries with prize money for those who take the vaccine. New York and other locales are offering free beer to those who take the vaccine. Imagine that: a toxic, cancer causing, diabetes-inducing, cirrhosis of the liver triggering, calorically high, deleterious substance is the reward for taking a vaccine, which purportedly protects your health. This oxymoronic nonsense was, for me, the tipping point. Alcohol as a bribe to take the COVID vaccine spelled out extreme desperation, and complete lack of faith in the product being sold.

Gradually, I realized there was only one position which worked for me on the question of the experimental vaccine. It might cost me my job, the company of friends and family, or a future degree. But, I believe in standing for my principles, and have spent a life time doing so.

I don’t take prescription drugs. I don’t even use OTC drugs, such as NSAIDs.  I take none of the seasonal and other vaccines peddled by Big Pharma (influenza vaccine, HPV vaccine, etc.). I am rarely in the doctor’s office, and almost never sick.

I believe strongly that Big Pharma is all about profit. And yet people, even highly politically conscious activists, who don’t toe the government line on other issues, seem to have complete trust in Big Pharma, as if that entity cares about- and will heal them. My view is that it is in the interest of the pharmaceutical companies that people remain sick and dependent on their products. So, I refuse to trust Big Pharma with my health.

I do, however, believe in the power of food as medicine. I eat about four full heads of romaine lettuce (or the equivalent) every week, along with lots of other raw vegetables and fruits. I consume whole grains, nuts, and seeds near daily. I eat very little meat and eschew pork, as I am a Muslim. I don’t touch fast food and other deep-fried foods. I rarely drink coffee, as it is a narco-disrupter and one of the most heavily pesticide laden products available in the grocery store (unless one drinks only organic coffee). I don’t touch alcohol or soft drinks. And although I love sweets, I severely limit refined sugar, understanding it is a carcinogen.

Further, I consume 4,000 – 6,000 mg of vitamin C daily, far more than average, along with trace amounts of zinc. I avoid most other supplements, as I feel their absorption is highly questionable. And- I believe strongly that food should be one’s primary source of vitamins and minerals, not quick fixes like supplements.

I run 40 miles per week, lift weights, and at age 52, am overall very healthy (by Allah’s Grace). My sport is the marathon. I have run 46 of them. And I very often report to work after running the 26.2 miles, to complete a 10-hour shift. I have worked with the public since the start of the pandemic, completely unvaccinated, and (by Allah’s Grace) without any negative repercussion.

And yet, I am told, usually by people who have serious health problems, are on a litany of pharmaceutical drugs, are in- and out- of the hospital, and can barely walk half a mile—that I must get vaccinated, or I will die, be in the hospital, or endanger the public health with my selfish and ill-informed choice.

I believe in the power of the immune system, a great and miraculous gift  to humans from the Creator. When properly harnessed (through highly nutritious foods, high quality sleep, de-stressing, and vigorous aerobic exercise), it is the best defense against all pathogens, not just COVID.

Given all of this, it would be extreme cognitive dissonance for me to do anything other than to refuse the SARS-CoV-2 experimental vaccines.

--Nadrat Siddique