Many Americans have faced criticism for going against mainstream Covid protocols
As an advocate of alternative health solutions, I often search for podcasts and Youtube videos of others who share my perspective on wellness. I believe in holistic health, which looks at the whole person, and takes into consideration a person’s lifestyle habits when treating illness. In simple terms, a headache isn’t necessarily cured with aspirin, but rather, looking at other factors, such as poor nutrition, lack of sleep, lack of exercise, as well as stress. Aspirin will mask the symptoms, but unless you get those other issues under control, you’ll continue to have headaches.
High Intensity Health is a podcast and Youtube channel that emphasizes the importance of nutrition and physical activity. Mike Mutzel is the host of the channel, and I find his discussions to be informative and engaging. He’s not a doctor, but he’s well educated in the area of health. He has a degree in biology, and a master’s in clinical nutrition. Most important of all, he seems to care about people, and will offer suggestions as well as discuss medical studies that could have positive benefits for overall health. He has discussed coronavirus many times, and to be clear, he’s not against vaccinations. Rather, he primarily discusses how obesity and diabetes increase the chances of hospitalization and death, and the fact that these concerns are not addressed in mainstream media. If you can see the forest through the trees, this shouldn’t be a shocking revelation. However, I challenge anyone to find a CNN news report that discusses diabetic and obesity concerns, and how they increase your chance of dying from Covid. Throughout his podcast, Mutzel often brings up that he’s not anti- vaxx, and refers to Covid as the “current health problem,” which it is, but obviously, in an effort not to be de-platformed, he emphasis these points. Saying your not anti-vaxx once should be enough, and discussing health studies validated by the medical community shouldn’t create a fear of being censored. But that’s not today’s reality.
After 18 months, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Americans are ready to move forward. I’m not saying everyone, because I know for the foreseeable future, many will continue to avoid crowds, wear masks everywhere, and believe that a 100% vaccination rate is the only way to end the pandemic. That’s fine, I don’t have a problem with that. We need to do what we believe is best for us, and if those measures make people feel safer, then so be it. For the most part, it appears we are moving forward, though certain restrictions, like mask mandates and showing vaccination status still hinder over us. With over 47 million people diagnosed with Covid, 423 million doses administered, and millions more who had the virus but not diagnosed, it might be time to say the pandemic is over, or at least, as controlled as much as it possibly can be. But there is a problem. When a 30 year old healthy individual catches Covid, is hospitalized, or dies, you can bet mainstream media sites such as Yahoo news will make it a headline in an effort to continue the narrative of the pandemic. We’ve also heard it’s the unvaccinated that continue to be the issue, though the scientific community admits that Covid can be spread by those who are vaccinated. This is why there seems to be no end in sight, no conclusion.
At this point, those against vaccinations will continue to hold that belief, and their minds can’t be changed. Natural immunity is real, and it’s time for those that have recovered from the virus to be able to live their lives. If they choose not to be vaccinated, that decision should be accepted. It’s time to end the tribalism of Covid, and learn to accept differing opinions. One argument I’ve heard repeatedly is that conspiracy theorists are the problem, and that it’s this group of people who are keeping us from going back to normal. Again, 423 million doses have been administered, which equals 70% of people fully vaccinated, and 80% who have had at least one shot. This should be a reason for celebration, not resentment. Eventually, the origin of this virus will need to be addressed, and before you blame conspiracy theories, remember that a year ago many journalists “debunked” the idea that it escaped from a lab, only to be proven a year later of it’s possibility. Journalism should strive for a higher standard, and when you use the term debunked, there will be consequences if your narrative is unfounded. But like many politicians, some journalists are now activists, and it’s often their ego that gets in the way of truthfulness.
Much of what we have gone through with Covid has been necessary, but maybe unnecessary at the same time. One approach, one method has not been beneficial for everyone, and when we discuss the “science,” we should realize that for the most part, science is an ever evolving method. Hopefully, Americans will find unity, and we can be respectful of the cultural and personal factors that are part of our decisions.
Until next time
JPN