DAVE ROSS

Ross: Running out of sympathy for the unvaccinated?

Sep 2, 2021, 5:33 AM | Updated: 9:28 am

vaccine mandate, unvaccinated...

Two protesters hold placards expressing their opinion during the demonstration against a recently imposed COVID-19 vaccine mandate for some public employees in Washington. (Photo by Toby Scott/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

(Photo by Toby Scott/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

I’ve seen several commentaries now about how vaccinated people are running out of patience with unvaccinated people – to the point that some have entertained the thought that anti-vaxxers should be denied admission to the ICU if they get sick.

That would be like not treating an accident victim who wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. Or not treating a heart patient who skipped his cholesterol medicine.

I think we’re a little more civilized than that.

You might say, OK, then what about the public figures who are spreading all the nonsense about vaccinations – the people who say you can’t trust a scientifically-developed vaccine but who are happy to take a drug intended to de-worm horses?

In my opinion, they make no sense.

But these voices are not the problem. The problem is those of us who choose to listen to them.

If Joe Rogan wants to rant against vaccines, that’s his schtick. But if you take medical advice from a comedian, and then you wind up on a ventilator – that’s on you.

Why would anyone think that a comedian, or a preacher, or a self-appointed researcher who churns out substack posts packed with statistics knows anything about your health situation?

They’ve never met you. If they make their living on clicks, their only motivation is to get you to click, not provide you with accurate medical advice.

The person who is likely to know what he or she is talking about is your doctor — someone who’s gone to school, been tested, has practiced medicine, and knows you.

I would say if you ever find yourself making a possible life-ending health decision based solely on a Facebook post, or even somebody like me talking on the radio, you should at least call your doctor first. A lot of them now do video calls, which is cheaper than an office visit and probably covered by insurance. That way, at least you’re getting advice from someone who takes an oath not to kill you.

Listen to Seattle’s Morning News weekday mornings from 5 – 9 a.m. on KIRO Radio, 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.

Dave's Commentary

Dave Ross on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • listen to dave rossTune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.

Dave Ross

trump belltown hellcat...

Dave Ross

Ross: If popularity creates immunity, maybe the ‘Belltown Hellcat Bandit’ should run for president

A lot of completely normal Americans believe Trump should have gone free, and he probably will because of his popularity.

57 minutes ago

forever chemicals living defensively...

Dave Ross

Ross: Living defensively has its limits when facing ‘forever chemicals’

The trouble is that "living defensively" has its limits – as we heard when 3M lost control of its "forever chemicals."

11 days ago

Image: In this photo illustration, the logos of social media applications Instagram, Facebook, Link...

Dave Ross

Ross: If you hope the government will save kids from social media, think again

Social media firm TikTok must sell itself to a non-Chinese company, or it goes dark in the U.S. But that law is headed straight to court.

14 days ago

kristi noem book...

Dave Ross

Ross: Gov. Kristi Noem’s new book includes alleged meetings with dictators, dead dogs

Did South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem meet with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un as she claims in her new book?

28 days ago

Image: Sound Transit tested train service on the 2 Line between southern Bellevue and Microsoft for...

Dave Ross

Ross: We built it, and they had better come

About 17,500 people attended the opening of the Eastside light rail line. It shows a curiosity about getting to Redmond without driving there.

1 month ago

Photo: A pro-Palestinian demonstration takes place outside the link light rail station at the Unive...

Dave Ross

Ross: Does the right to protest outweigh the right to learn?

When does a protest cross the line? I can answer that. When it devolves into violence, obviously it crosses a line.

1 month ago

Ross: Running out of sympathy for the unvaccinated?