Common good

It's an irony that new vaccines, different brands from different countries, arrive every now and then. However, we are aware of vaccination sites closing on occasion due to a low turnout of those seeking vaccines. However, there are still a large number of people who have not been vaccinated or who are due for a second dose. Despite this, many of us would like to go out and perform the duties we used to.

Another similar scenario is that our children will have the opportunity to return to school in a controlled manner, as the president has permitted the opening of some schools, particularly those with no or low COVID cases. This is because the young population has yet to be immunized. It's still unclear when this potential may materialize. But one thing is certain: we are still a long way from herd immunity.

Those who are still skeptical about the benefits of vaccination, including some of our friends who, despite their education, refuse to get vaccinated. It is not that they are isolated from civilization or that they are unaware of the most up-to-date knowledge, but they remain dubious or fearful of the vaccine's side effects. When beliefs and emotions are present, science has a tough time penetrating.

We admire those businesses that offer discounts to those who have been vaccinated. This serves as a kind of invitation to others to get vaccinated. We were taken aback when a gas station employee asked for our vaccination cards and then handed us some coins or bills as a discount. And we don't see this as prejudice, but rather as a demotivator for those who haven't been vaccinated.

Testimonies from doctors, nurses, and friends who have been prevented from suffering the worst effects of the virus just because they are fully vaccinated are ultimately the most motivating of all. Unlike dogma from certain religious or sect groups with a large number of blind followers, these are true accounts from real victims of the virus. For those clinging to unfounded beliefs, what's more distressing is that they don't live in a bubble; their interactions aren't restricted to their fellow churchgoers; they engage with people of all faiths.

We need to put an end to our unjustified fears. Fears stemming from blind adherence to specific dogmas or long-held beliefs that are no longer relevant in today's world. Science becomes superstition when we observe things through the lens of our entrenched, incorrect ideas. To believe in science, we must first open our eyes. Science has a way of uncovering the truth based on good ideals like healing and atonement for the common good.