COVID-19 — Vaccinated Vs Unvaccinated

Is COVID-19 the birth of a new form of discrimination?

COVID has rocked the whole world since early 2020. There are few families whose near and dear ones have not seen the curse of this virus. Vaccinations, though, provide a preventive route. Everyone doesn’t need to get vaccinated (apart from Indonesia, Micronesia & Turkmenistan), but there are restrictions for the unvaccinated.

In the past few days, where the advantages of immunization are apparent, a small population does not want the jab. I have friends in my close circle who don’t want to get vaccinated. They are anxious, and I don’t blame them.

It’s not easy to allow a foreign substance into your body. Some people have the strength to take a leap of faith and get the vaccine, while it’s difficult for others. I feel for them, but it hurts me even more when I see them being scrutinized and bullied by the vaccinated.

Governments are not far behind. Instead of empathizing with the unvaccinated, they are deemed irresponsible. The unvaccinated are scared, not reckless. They need to be educated, not ridiculed. If politicians think they can motivate these people by calling them knuckleheads, Good Luck.

I wanted to share steps to support the unvaccinated and counsel them about vaccines. The vaccinated might not like these ideas initially, but I would request the readers to be patient and continue reading. I am not taking sides. I intend to resolve the conflict by keeping both parties happy.

Bring to home services

The unvaccinated have restrictions for many services. They will be at home most of the time. If their jobs do not mandate vaccines, they will be working remotely, which does not help either. Hence, the council should help them by bringing these services to their home.

For example, In Australia, one needs to be vaccinated to visit a library. Reading books is one of the most effective ways of relaxation. According to a survey known as the Rest test, 58% opted for reading as the most relaxing activity. In times like these, reading can bring peace to the lives of the unvaccinated. Hence, libraries should start additional services like free home delivery of books.

Libraries should provide services for audiobooks and ebooks. Most libraries use BorrowBox and CloudLibrary, but it’s time to widen their horizon by including big players like Audible.

Another challenge for the unvaccinated is to visit medical health centers. Medical health centers can equip themselves with instant COVID sensors that allow unvaccinated and non-covid patients to meet doctors in person. Local Councils can distribute these instant covid sensors to the unvaccinated for free. These sensors will enable them to get exemptions for visiting medical health centers.

These instant COVID sensors can also allow unvaccinated to dine at their favorite restaurants.

Mental health counselling

Mental health is the most significant area of concern within the unvaccinated. Accept it or not, anxiety is a mental health issue and the biggest reason to avoid the vaccine. Councils should offer free counselling sessions to help them cope with their anxieties.

The primary objective of these sessions will be to listen to the concerns of the unvaccinated. These sessions will build confidence, and as the relationship evolves, it will motivate the unvaccinated to take the jab.

It’s unethical to term unvaccinated as irresponsible or childish. Internet is full of negative news and rumours around COVID-19. Any Tom Dick and Harry can develop a conspiracy theory with an internet connection. Would you blame people if they can’t trust policymakers in the current environment?

The counselling sessions will teach them constructive ways to deal with anxiety. It will also help them in other areas of their lives. It will educate them about the benefits of vaccines and teach them to avoid negative rumours.

Remote Work

Industries that do not mandate vaccination can continue with remote working arrangements. It could be impossible or complicated for the construction, health, and retail sectors, but industries like IT and technology can be flexible. It surprises me when management is pedantic about bringing employees back to office premises. If remote working is a possibility and does not impact the performance, people should be allowed to work remotely.

Taxation could be a complex topic of conversation while working remotely, especially when employees choose to work overseas. But we need to ask ourselves what we want? Do we want to be flexible to support everyone or keep our eyes shut until one of the protests turns ugly?

In today’s world of technology, there are numerous ways to stay connected for work purposes. A lot of companies provide permanent work-from-home opportunities to their employees. With minor tweaks in taxation rules, corporates and governments can work together to support people working overseas.

Remote working will also help families to reunite. Support from family members will motivate the unvaccinated to get the vaccine. I know families in my inner circle where parents have encouraged their children to immunize and vice versa.

How to pay for these services to the unvaccinated?

It does not mean that these services should come at the expense of the taxpayer’s money. We cannot resolve a conflict by supporting one group at the cost of the other.

There are no free lunches. To provide extra support and services to the non vaccinated means additional funding.

The unvaccinated should pay a higher tax to support these services. If they work overseas, they should pay taxes to the country of residence and work. On the other hand, the vaccinated should get tax benefits for their efforts.

The vaccinated should get higher interests for bank deposits while the unvaccinated will pay extra to get home and car loans. Retail can do something similar with buying of goods and services. Higher GST should be charged to unvaccinated as compared to the vaccinated.

Conclusion

There are better ways to maintain a balance than scrutinizing the unvaccinated.

Vaccination is not a cure but a defense mechanism. It does not guarantee that the virus cannot transfer from one body to another. Hence, to call unvaccinated irresponsible is not correct. Bullying of the unvaccinated population will increase problems. It’s evident from the number of protests happening worldwide.

I agree; however, this is our only way to freedom unless new research brings in a cure. We cant also allow unvaccinated to roam freely as an increase in cases puts a lot of burden on the medical health system. A growing number of COVID patients means limited international travel and an impact on the economy.

It’s time to come up with a creative solution. Creativity does not come with force. Firstly, we need to build confidence. Build a relationship of trust and support with the unvaccinated and then educate and motivate them to get the vaccine.

I would love to hear similar ideas. We have the power to think and write; hence, we should think out loud to fight it together.

Thanks Tarun

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