Tha moment of truth.

Okay, people make sure that you have asked tha right questions, especially about tha stuff you don’t understand, is tha important thing you can do to guarantee that tha decision you make is one that you can live with. Here are a few areas that look at some of tha most common questions that my mentors have posed to me. I thought you might find them helpful:... Now tha different about this vaccine? Tha COVID-19 vaccines are different because they use a “new” technology called (mRNA) Tha CDC describes how it works by saying, “To trigger an immune response, many vaccines put a weakened or inactivated germ into our bodies. Not mRNA vaccines. Instead, they teach our cells how to make a protein or even just a piece of a protein that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. That immune response, which produces antibodies, is what protects us from getting infected if tha real virus enters our bodies”. Also, this vaccine works by providing a “genetic code” for our cells to produce viral proteins. Once tha proteins (which don’t cause disease) are produced, tha body launches an immune response against tha virus, enabling ta person to develop immunity to that virus should it ever show up again. This is a new technology with vaccines in humans. Even though there has been researched in tha past, it has not been successful until now. (Plz don't let that go over your head) Whereas in tha past, vaccines work by introducing small parts of either live or inactive viruses, in order to create a “memory” in tha immune system against a future invader of tha same type of virus; (mRNA) works in a whole different way. They actually introduced a protein in tha injection, which causes tha immune system to react and attack it as an invader. Tha protein then has a “plan” programmed (so to speak) inside to instruct tha immune system to create antibodies for tha COVID-19 virus, should it ever show up.

Clearly, this is a remarkable breakthrough in tha world of vaccines! However, there are some concerns that worry some experts. mRNA’s protein is a foreign invader, and there is the possibility, albeit it slight, that it could trigger an immune response separate from tha one intended, and cause an inflammatory response from tha immune system. This was at tha heart of some of the unsuccessful attempts with mRNA as a vaccine. There is also tha question of tha effectiveness and safety in those people with chronic medical conditions. Is there data on how it works in those populations and communities? Almost 60 percent of American adults have at least one chronic medical condition. 40 percent of U.S. adults are obese; one of tha most common underlying conditions that increase one’s risk for severe illness.  Tha more underlying medical conditions people have, tha higher their risk. What percentage of tha study population reflected people with pre-existing chronic conditions? And to top that there are our seniors and elderly. Elderly and older adults are at the greatest risk of severe disease and death from COVID-19. People older than 65 years makeup 9% of the world’s population, and yet they account for 30% to 40% of cases and more than 80% of deaths. A review of recent research literature shows that older adults were excluded from more than 50% of COVID-19 clinical drug trials and 100% of vaccine trials. Again, what percentage of tha study population reflected people who were older? According to tha CDC, all but one of tha COVID-19 vaccines that are currently in Phase 3 clinical trials in tha United States use two shots. Tha first shot starts building protection. A second shot a few weeks later is needed to get tha most protection tha vaccine has to offer. What this means is that most of us shouldn’t expect to receive and see protection from tha vaccine (assuming it works, and enough people take it) until late spring or early Summer 2021. This means that tha best thing all of us can do, regardless of our decision on taking tha vaccine, is to remain vigilant in keeping up tha protective measures of sanitation, physical distancing, and wearing face masks. Finally, keep in mind that what we know so far about tha vaccines is based on preliminary data. To date, there have been no peer-reviewed published studies. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s a fuckin duck. (This is still a clinical trial). Learn all you can; educate yourself and your family; make an informed decision. Don’t forget that Information is tha Best Medicine”. Remember, I’m not a doctor.  I just Learn Lyfe to Live it Take good care of yourself and live tha best in this thing call Lyfe

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