Last month, I wrote about working at the polls to investigate the reality of election fraud.  To those who suggested I’m naïve, I wrote: “I trust elections for the same reason I get every recommended vaccine because while I know election fraud exists, and vaccines cause death, both are exceedingly rare.”

Here’s more direct experience and research about another controversial issue: vaccines.  

Sabin Oral Polio Vaccine…the first vaccine I can remember taking.  My Dad was a medical administrator in our county for this nationwide program so our whole family participated as volunteers in its distribution.  Since receiving the vaccine, I have not contracted polio.  More importantly, research (CDC and WHO) shows about 20 vaccinated people died per 1,000,000 doses on its initial distribution during the 1950s.  Sixty years later, that’s down to 3 per million.  And while I’d prefer 0 per million, deaths from polio vaccine are exceedingly rare and the disease close to being eradicated through vaccine availability worldwide.

In 2020, I received COVID-19 vaccine as soon as I could, followed by four more doses recommended since then.  I’ve tested positive three times so far and lost nothing more than energy and my sense of smell for a few days each time.  Extensive research and tracking (below is CDC) say it’s good for me.  I currently have a .006% chance of dying from the virus while those unwilling or unable to get the vaccine have a .089% fatality rate; they’re 15x more likely to die. I prefer my odds.

I have no political statement to make yet I know I’ll get blowback from this writing.  That’s okay because when it comes to vaccines and election integrity, I consider personal experience and research more important than opinions and hyperbole.

Peace.
Tim McCarthy  

Quote of the Month: The Guest House by Rumi

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

---Rumi, The Guest House

 

 

Song of the Month:  “What Becomes of the Broken Hearted” Jimmy Ruffin, sung by Joan Osborne

Editor’s Note:  Thanks to my friend, Jim Sullivan, for passing this on to me.  I’d never heard of Joan Osborne (check out her most popular “One of Us”) and this cover of Ruffin’s classic is with the band who made the song famous back in my day.  What a voice!

Listen to it here

Book of The Month: 'The Hunter" by Tana French

Read it for yourself here

Joke of the Month: Favorites of Terry

It’s almost a year now since the funniest man I ever knew passed away.  Here are a few of my favorite things my brother, Terry, often said:

“Nyello?” When he answered the phone.  It was an imitation of an old woman he delivered newspapers to a million years before.

“I bid you fondue”…saying goodbye by malapropping his French 

“Help, Daddy, Danny, don’t hurt Daddy”.  His words to his 30-year-old son who had just dropped a rolled-up carpet they were carrying.  So of course, most mishaps in our family are now followed by the words, “Help, Daddy, Danny”.

More to come…