I share your disappointment regarding the extremism evident on both sides of the issue of vaccination. You made a couple of points that I'd like to clarify.

I also see valid reasons for some to avoid the vaccine, particularly those whose health might be endangered or whose religious beliefs are involved. However, I doubt these represent the majority of the anti-vaxxers.

I never said that those vaccinated are will not infect others. We've all heard about asymptomatic breakthrough carriers. In an earlier post you lumped vaccinated and anti-vaxxers together as if they are equal. When I asked you for more detail about the risk presented from vaccinated people compared to unvaccinated, you did not respond.

You talked about people not being honest with themselves and then went on to say you doubted that anyone got the vaccine to protect others. Your wording was interesting because I had posted: "I can honestly say I got vaccinated to protect myself, protect my family and to protect others" In that order; I believe that is the order of motives for most, if not all, of the vaccinated population.

You mentioned that the US is ignoring effective, cheap treatments that work in other countries. I honestly am unaware of cheaper, similarly effective alternatives to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. What are those alternative therapies?

I am not ashamed that people are so upset by the pandemic and the approach to solving it. We are ALL motivated by the same issue - fear. The vaccinated fear of becoming COVID infected and possibly infecting loved ones. The anti-vaxxers fear of unintended reactions either now or in the future. The worst thing any of us can do is become hyper-dramatic which is something we each have seen on both sides of the issue.

I thought it was necessary to clarify what I have been saying all along. The problem of polarization and politicization of the vaccine is getting worse due to the inflammatory comments each side is making. The result is growing anger and it is growing fast. Companies, armed forces and schools are now mandating vaccination or, there is no job or schooling for the anti-vaxxer. Because the vaccine was so unwisely politicized, the worst is yet to come in terms of disagreement. Only reasonability will help us get through this challenge.

I thought it was necessary to clarify what I have been saying all along. The problem of polarization and politicization of the vaccine is getting worse due to the inflammatory comments each side is making. The result is growing anger and it is growing fast. Companies, armed forces and schools are now mandating vaccination or, there is no job or schooling for the anti-vaxxer. Because the vaccine was so unwisely politicized, the worst is yet to come in terms of disagreement. Only reasonability will help us get through this challenge.

Known as the other Rush Limbaugh right-wing radio host who called vaccines “bogus bull shid” had a change of heart after being hospitalised with Covid-19, friends say.

Dick Farrel, 65, a former Newsmax host and pioneer of the shock jock genre, died on Wednesday in West Palm Beach, Florida, from complications relating to Covid-19.

Prior to getting sick, Mr Farrel wrote on Facebook that Dr Anthony Fauci was a “power tripping lying freak”, mocked vaccines and referred to the pandemic that has taken more than 600,000 American lives as a “scamdemic”.

His close friend Amy Leigh Hair said that Mr Farrel had written to her from hospital begging her to get vaccinated.

“He texted me and told me to ‘Get it!’ He told me this virus is no joke and he said, ‘I wish I had gotten it!’”

Fact Checkers go at it...
https://www.wptv.com/lifestyle/taste-and-see/vocal-anti-vaccine-broadcaster-dies-from-covid-19-complications
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/08/dick-farrel-anti-vaccine-radio-host-dies-covid.html
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/dick-farrell-death-covid-vaccine-b1899092.html
https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/dick-farrel-anti-vaccine-broadcaster-dead-covid-19-1235036912/

BTW: Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure (AHRF, a.k.a. ARDS) is a horrific way to die...
You are intubated, (a tube run down your trachea) put on paralytics so you can not move; speak etc.; sedated and air is forced into your lungs by a ventilator. If you are fortunate enough to have a highly skilled ICU nurse or respiratory therapist you may be given IV analgesics for pain management albeit if highly trained staff is not available then advanced pain management may not be an option.

As the NYC hospital experience showed... The typical "Floor Nurse" could not effectively manage patients in an ICU Ward. The death rate skyrocketed in this very sad scenario. ICU care is akin to that required in an OR. One-on-one 7/24.

It is not for want of ventilators that Covid-19 patients were dying at the beginning of this crisis it was from want of highly skilled ICU clinicians.

Once the hospital systems are overwhelmed the death rate goes up exponentially for those requiring ICU care that can no longer be provided. Left unabated the current Delta surge has the frightening prospect of maxing out hospital capacities in major population centers throughout the country.

At that juncture divine intervention becomes a last hope.

Final thoughts? It is no longer a Freedom of Choice issue... It is now actually a mater of saving our hospital systems from total collapse. Please stay safe and support our brave medical clinicians who are now finding it virtually impossible to provide effective care for those in harms ways.