8
Opinion
IT’S TIME TO TAKE A SHOT Kiley Peterson
Students express the pros and cons of getting the COVID-19 vaccine
editor-in-chief
Lucy Call
reporter
T
hroughout the last couple of months, the COVID-19 vaccine has been a hot topic. As the vaccine is becoming more available, people are struggling with the question of “should I take it?” For some, the answer to this question is “100% yes” while for others, they are having more of a hard time deciding. So how do students at BV West feel towards the vaccine? Are there as many people hesitant to get it as there are eager? We asked a wide variety of the Spotlight’s Instagram followers if they were willing to get it or what their thoughts were on the vaccine. Out of 155 people, 68% said yes, they were willing to get it, and 32% said no. The Spotlight reached out to a few people to gather their thoughts on the topic, and what causes them to feel the way they do about the new vaccine. Junior Humphrey Luo and Junior Sophia Chrans both voted that they would be willing to get the vaccine, and elaborated on why they’ve come to the conclusion that they have. Both students are happy they are of age and looking forward to getting it, though complications still threaten. There aren’t
always perfect circumstances surrounding the virus vaccine. Chrans is still hoping she gets the opportunity for it, though for her specifically it could prove challenging. “I have a large combination of severe chronic medical conditions,’’ she said. “[I’ve had] ...allergic reactions. And a bad history with vaccines in the past.” The possibility of having a severe allergic reaction lends caution in Chrans and her doctor. Due to this, there is less certainty around her ability to get vaccinated in the near future. This type of caution and danger sur-
rounding the vaccine could be a concern for many people and is worth noting. However, Chrans sees her circumstances as a specialized, individual case. She is also willing to do whatever she can to help defeat the virus and hopes things can be worked out with her immunologist. She advocates for the vaccine being distributed amongst the general public. “I believe it’s safe, it’s effective, and it’s the only hope we have for curing this pandemic,” she says. Luo is comfortable putting his trust in the manufacturers and scientists behind the vaccine. “...I feel like the people making the vaccines are very specialized in their field and are knowledgeable about disease control,” he said. Luo is concerned with herd immunity and the importance of mandating the vaccine, though he recognizes the discourse that might ensue. “Not just political, but religious and personal I think,” Luo said.
