“I Prefer to Keep My Medical History Private” is a Cowardly Way of Saying You are Unvaccinated

Summary

The author, a retired MD, expresses frustration with individuals who use privacy as an excuse to avoid disclosing their unvaccinated status, emphasizing the importance of honesty for the safety and well-being of others.

Abstract

The article titled "“I Prefer to Keep My Medical History Private” is a Cowardly Way of Saying You are Unvaccinated" discusses the author's perspective on the evasion of vaccine status disclosure. The author, who is pro-Covid vaccines and boosters but against mandates, argues that while people have the right to privacy regarding their medical information, it is crucial to be transparent about vaccination status in close-contact situations. The author's upcoming surgery and the high Covid-19 positivity rate in Florida underscore the importance of this transparency. The article calls for individuals to have the courage to admit if they are unvaccinated, as it allows others to make informed decisions about their interactions and protect their health.

Opinions

The author believes that it is cowardly to hide behind privacy concerns when asked about vaccination status.
There is a clear distinction made between being pro-vaccine and anti-vaccine mandates.
The author feels that the right to privacy must be balanced with the right of others to know about one's vaccination status in close interactions.
The author is concerned about the impact of others' vaccination choices on their own health, particularly in the context of an essential surgery that could be canceled if they contract Covid-19.
The author is critical of the phrase "I Prefer to Keep My Medical History Private" as a deflection from admitting to being unvaccinated.
The author values the bravery of individuals to admit their vaccination status, seeing it as a matter of personal integrity and communal responsibility.
The author emphasizes the importance of personal freedoms but also the responsibility that comes with those freedoms, especially when they impact the health of others.

“I Prefer to Keep My Medical History Private” is a Cowardly Way of Saying You are Unvaccinated

I don’t care if you are or are not vaccinated, but at least have the courage to admit clearly that you are not

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I have heard this statement more than a few times now. The person using it is always someone who has chosen to remain unvaccinated. To be clear, I am pro-Covid vaccines and boosters. I am not, however, pro-vaccine mandates. It is your privilege to keep your medical information private. However, on the flip side, it is my right to know your vaccine status if I let you into my home, ride in your car, boat, or engage in any other close-distance situation.

Evidence to date suggests the new Covid-19 Omnicron variant, while far more infectious, is also far less debilitating and deadly. I have an essential surgical procedure in a few weeks. It will be canceled if I test positive for Covid-19 two days before it is scheduled. I can ill-afford for that to happen. I had wanted to go fishing one last time before my procedure next week. However, one of the younger members of the crew gave me the above response today when I asked him about his vaccine status.

In Florida, where I live, the Covid-19 percent positivity has sky-rocketed above 10 percent. Whatever your reason for wanting to remain unvaccinated, at least have the bravery to admit your status. I have yet to meet anyone who has been vaccinated using the deflecting answer of it’s “ a private matter.” I won’t shame or belittle you. But I do want to protect myself. If you feel strongly about not getting a vaccine, then have the mettle to admit it. And realize your weak-ass answer is not fooling anyone.

I don’t know the origin of the phrase. I guess it grew out of the fundamental “freedom to do anything I want” credo. And up to a point, I am okay with that. However, when your privileges start to infringe upon my freedoms to remain healthy, then I have a problem. I know it’s a slippery slope, and I am opposed to mandates, as I have already stated. But at least have the moxie of your convictions so I may make an informed decision about how to conduct my behavior around you.

It’s real simple. The answer to “Have you been vaccinated?” is either yes or no. If you dodge the answer with assertions of private medical matters, your answer is not a mystery. Fess up, and then I, and anyone else who comes in close contact with you, know precisely where we stand.

I am a retired MD, and passionate about writing, reading, culture, health, fishing, politics, and food. Get an email whenever I publish by clicking this link:https://davidmokotoff.medium.com/subscribe

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