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COVID-19 is really a global call to arms

After Dec. 7, 1941, our nation called upon its citizens to unite against differences, in a hope to defeat a foreign enemy and stop it from inflicting further damage on our soil.

Millions of Americans answered this call.

Men, women, and children knew that their individual sacrifices, no matter how large or small, could add up to something great. Factories changed their operations. People rationed daily items and Americans faced their enemy head on to eventually become victorious.

There is a new call to arms. It isn’t a war between humans. It is a war to save humanity as we know it.

The COVID-19 virus left this area somewhat spared until mid-fall. Two weeks into November, we started down a path that caused our small rural community to lead the nation in certain statistics in terms of population and transmission rates.

The next game changers are upon us. They are called variants. One particular variant of concern is the UK variant. It is estimated to be 50% more transmissible and 33% more fatal that the current strain.

This new variant first established a foothold in Florida and California.

According to Dr. Michael Worobey of the University of Arizona, an unobstructed transmission rate allows it to double in size every 1.5 weeks.

A study published in the British Medical Journal details that the concerning thing about this variant is the change in its spike protein. This new change is what makes it more transmissible. As time goes on, we risk seeing more mutations like this.

Luckily, there is hope for humanity but not without a call to arms. We are met with a decision to make that our parents and grandparents faced during the polio pandemic.

Do we get a new vaccination to try and stop the spread? They were on the right side of history with their decisions. Polio is now essentially eradicated.

Feel fortunate that you live in a country where you have the option to decide.

I took an oath years ago to protect my country and its people. I feel that it is my duty to do everything possible so that my children can hopefully one day experience the world like I’ve had the opportunity to.

That past world does not exist while COVID-19 spreads freely and unopposed. Left unopposed, it could potentially mutate into something much deadlier than it currently is.

I will be getting the vaccination at its earliest availability. I will not judge you on your decision to get it or not get it.

If you do choose to get the vaccination, this former Green Beret will not feel you are weak. I will commend you for thinking through all the second- and third-order effects.

You will be praised for believing in the bigger picture; trying to help the businesses that have been shut down; assisting to get people back to work; and for thinking about our biggest asset — the next generation.

In this scenario, without risk, there is no reward.

Andy Golden

Ebensburg

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