We have been dealing with the COVID pandemic for almost two years now. We have had vaccines available for a little more than a year. However, there is resistance from several rural Americans to getting vaccinated. We have heard many vocal arguments against the vaccine, and they range through a wide gambit. Now as a new strain is emerging and the hospitals are once again getting overwhelmed, the President?s Medical Advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci tells Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network that it is more important than ever to get the vaccine.
Dr. Fauci talked with me one-on-one on Tuesday afternoon about the situation with the Omicron variant in this country. He says that we are seeing a quick surge in the detection of this variant. Like with the previous strains, he sees this affecting rural America a little later down the line. However, there is a slight silver lining. This variant has not caused as severe of a health problem as the previous strains. Dr. Fauci adds that this does not mean that everything is going to be fine. This is still a cause for concern.
Fauci says that this is also cause for concern when you factor that many rural hospitals do not have all the services or resources that their urban counterparts have. It could cause more strain on those limited resources. He repeats his call for vaccinations and booster shots.
One of the arguments we have seen from many farmers against the vaccinations is the fact that they do not think they are at risk or pose a health risk, because they aren?t around the general public in crowded areas as much as others. Fauci says this can be a dangerous stance to take. While you may be perfectly fine and come through an infection with minimal issue, you may inadvertently spread to someone who is immunocompromised or at high risk and cause them severe issues. He feels that no one would want to be responsible for infecting someone else.
There has been no shortage of concerns raised about the vaccine. There are too many to possibly list here. While these concerns are being raised in all parts of society, it seems that rural America is more vocal about it than other areas. Dr. Fauci addresses those concerns. He says the most effective way to address your concerns or to ask questions about the vaccine, is to talk to your trusted family physician. If the fears are driven by reasons outside the medical scope, then talk with another trusted individual.
You can catch our video of our interview with Dr. Anthony Fauci on our YouTube Channel. We will also air this interview, in its entirety, on Weekend Ag Matters this week.
