|
|
Post by russmurray on May 14, 2022 15:20:29 GMT
Hi guys. Ordinarily I tend to avoid talking about personal things on social media but since I hinted that my trip back east was not a vacation per se, I thought that since we're a fairly tight knit community I would share just a bit. On April 26, my second oldest brother Peter, passed away at age 75. To say I was devastated would be an understatement I suppose but there also lurks some anger in the background. Peter succumbed to COVID-19 after contracting the virus roughly 3 weeks ago. He was not vaccinated and as you can imagine, this issue has been divisive to say the least. He was not anti-vax necessarily but he did question the technology and the speed of how the vaccines were introduced. As a born again Christian, I suspected his hesitancy may have been influenced by some of the news feeds he received. Just to be clear, I have always admired his faith and I know that his soul is preserved in love forever but his passing could have been prevented. I miss him terribly and if there's one thing I can say is get vaccinated!
Russ
|
|
|
|
Post by jeffhargrave on May 14, 2022 18:59:37 GMT
I do understand, Russ. But these days, even some fully vaccinated people have been getting it too. I have seen quite a few COVID patients in the hospital I'm working at that were vaccinated but still got it. I have also seen non-vaccinated people that don't get it. There are many variables that enter the equation and it doesn't usually come down to just vaccinated or not.
In the interest of full disclosure, I am fully vaccinated myself.
Just my two cents worth.
|
|
|
|
Post by bfhammer on May 14, 2022 21:17:58 GMT
I feel for you Russ. I've lost 2 brothers in 18 months but neither to Covid. My oldest sister has become a recluse at home due to fear of Covid because her immune system is compromised due to medication. And she is vaccinated. But we only meet outdoors with masks for the past 2 years.
So yes vaccination is very important, but it must be remembered that the variants are continuing to emerge and the vaccine will need to be formulated and administered possibly annually like a flu vaccine is now. A virus is a living being and as such it must evolve or die away. It's why deadly antibiotic-resistant bacteria are becoming a thing more and more. The harder you try to kill something, the stronger the thing will become.
But as such, I am vaccinated and boosted because I don't want to be sick and die. Actually I need to schedule my 2nd booster but I just took my 2nd shingles vaccine shot this last week and my shoulder still is sensitive from that. The shingle vaccine is seemingly a lot more brutal than the Covid vaccines.
I wish you the strength to get past this difficult time Russ and keep remembering all the good and special things about your brother.
|
|
|
|
Post by zeb on May 14, 2022 21:29:53 GMT
I'm so sorry for your loss, Russ. I'll keep you and your brother in my prayers. I personally choose to be vaccinated, especially since my doctors recommend it. I'm hoping it will protect me from the worst effects if I do catch it. However, I respect people's choice to not get the vaccine. It's unfortunate it was made a political issue, and that the politics influenced some people's decision. But we can't control the world, and we can't control what people do, even our loved ones. May love and acceptance be stronger than your anger. God Bless.
|
|
|
|
Post by bobbymike on May 14, 2022 22:42:59 GMT
Sorry to hear that Russ, my condolences to your family.
|
|
|
|
Post by marsss25 on May 15, 2022 4:30:01 GMT
My sincerest condolences, Russ. No one wishes to hear of these things in the best of times. Unfortunately, these circumstances repeat themselves everywhere. My heart feels for you in these times.
|
|
|
|
Post by russmurray on May 15, 2022 15:36:29 GMT
I do understand, Russ. But these days, even some fully vaccinated people have been getting it too. I have seen quite a few COVID patients in the hospital I'm working at that were vaccinated but still got it. I have also seen non-vaccinated people that don't get it. There are many variables that enter the equation and it doesn't usually come down to just vaccinated or not. In the interest of full disclosure, I am fully vaccinated myself. Just my two cents worth. Thanks Jeff and you of all people would have better perspective on the matter and let me just say how much I respect and admire healthcare professionals. Peter was intubated for most of his 3 week saga and from what I gather, they pulled out all the stops. As you say, many who are already vaccinated are still getting infected which is no surprise given the latest variant is the most transmissible. From what I understand, the symptoms are less severe particularly for those already vaccinated. Nevertheless, it's a whole different matter for those not vaccinated. Admittedly there are other mitigating factors as you say. |
|
|
|
Post by russmurray on May 15, 2022 15:43:47 GMT
I feel for you Russ. I've lost 2 brothers in 18 months but neither to Covid. My oldest sister has become a recluse at home due to fear of Covid because her immune system is compromised due to medication. And she is vaccinated. But we only meet outdoors with masks for the past 2 years. So yes vaccination is very important, but it must be remembered that the variants are continuing to emerge and the vaccine will need to be formulated and administered possibly annually like a flu vaccine is now. A virus is a living being and as such it must evolve or die away. It's why deadly antibiotic-resistant bacteria are becoming a thing more and more. The harder you try to kill something, the stronger the thing will become. But as such, I am vaccinated and boosted because I don't want to be sick and die. Actually I need to schedule my 2nd booster but I just took my 2nd shingles vaccine shot this last week and my shoulder still is sensitive from that. The shingle vaccine is seemingly a lot more brutal than the Covid vaccines. I wish you the strength to get past this difficult time Russ and keep remembering all the good and special things about your brother. Thanks so much Chris and please accept my heartfelt condolences for the loss of your loved ones too. As you suggest, this virus continues to evolve and we must learn to incorporate how to deal with it going forward. I too am awaiting when I can get my second booster and the shingle vaccine as well. Lots of memories and the warmth they generate have most definitely given me strength. |
|
|
|
Post by russmurray on May 15, 2022 15:47:18 GMT
I'm so sorry for your loss, Russ. I'll keep you and your brother in my prayers. I personally choose to be vaccinated, especially since my doctors recommend it. I'm hoping it will protect me from the worst effects if I do catch it. However, I respect people's choice to not get the vaccine. It's unfortunate it was made a political issue, and that the politics influenced some people's decision. But we can't control the world, and we can't control what people do, even our loved ones. May love and acceptance be stronger than your anger. God Bless. Thanks so much Dan and I really appreciate your perspective. I am doing my best to park any anger that I may have because it's just wasted energy and I will always embrace love as my guiding principle. |
|
|
|
Post by russmurray on May 15, 2022 15:48:14 GMT
My sincerest condolences, Russ. No one wishes to hear of these things in the best of times. Unfortunately, these circumstances repeat themselves everywhere. My heart feels for you in these times. Thanks so much Marcel. |
|
|
|
Post by russmurray on May 15, 2022 15:49:25 GMT
Sorry to hear that Russ, my condolences to your family. Thanks Michael. It's great to hear from you and I hope you are enjoying Montana! |
|
|
|
Post by danb on Jul 26, 2022 18:44:07 GMT
Sorry for your loss.
|
|
|
|
Post by russmurray on Jul 30, 2022 16:08:13 GMT
|
|
