Kids + COVID Vax = WHEW!

Vaccines aren't controversial: hearing from some Iowa parents

University of Iowa COVID19 promotion - click image to find out more!

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Vaccines aren’t controversial. Vaccines for children aren’t controversial. Is the COVID vaccine a way for the lizard people to put a tracking device into your bloodstream? If this is a question that troubles you - ask JFK Jr. when he returns to The Grassy Knoll. Otherwise just please leave the rest of us alone.

Just like I don’t care to ever hear what a Trump voter thinks or feels ever again, I don’t want to hear any more out of the anti-vaxers out there. We get it: you did your own research. Goodbye.

What I do want to hear about is this: parents who are ready to get their children vaccinated against COVID19. This isn’t the flu. It isn’t just a cold. It will not and has not magically disappeared.

So the other day I asked some families to share thoughts about getting their kids vaccinated. And I want to say thank you! And give a few of my takeaways and share your thoughts with all and sundry.

• These parents listen to science, trust experts, rely on data to make decisions

• COVID19 is a disease we still know very little about - especially in children

  • MIS-C (Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome) has been associated with COVID in kids. It can be deadly. While we think of COVID as a respiratory illness (due to common presentation) it can and does lead to other potentially life threatening illnesses. This is especially concerning in kids because - again we are still learning about this disease.

• While anti-vaxers rage against some unknown deep state something or other parents with preexisting conditions have actual reason to be angry. The best example I have of this is my good friend Maureen. And, she says it best:

Thanks Maureen - I know this has been a shit show for you all - and the truth you state: people don’t want to step up for your kid - that is real.

And Iowa’s Data Savior - who has been repeatedly and publicly attacked and threatened by the Iowa GOP or their front groups (no I will not link to them here they don’t deserve clicks):

Yay science (and data!)

Full disclosure: I too cried a little bit when I finally was able to get my sweet sweet dose of Pfizer (x2 +1)

I cried a bit too when I got my shot!

Jill has been through the wringer as well. And she points to a very dangerous plan that pushes ‘natural herd immunity’ which is just astonishingly dangerous.

Thank you Jill!

Hey - I think this guy is a pulmonologist!!

Thank you for reminding us about MIS-C!

Here’s to a “pre-pandemic normal”

Thank you Lucy!

We are living history. Bringing kids along on the journey to the development of a COVID vaccine grounds them in scientific facts and the reality of the global pandemic. Facts win over fear. Masks and vaccines aren’t scary. Kids are not stupid.

Thanks Lindsey - love your watching news with your child re: COVID vax!

Yippee kinda says it all

Thank you Karin!

This kid wants to get back to wrestling - 9 year old has priorities!

Thanks Liz!