When I applauded the decision of the Bahrain International Circuit to allow entry for Formula 1 to only those who had received a Covid-19 vaccination, I did not expect that the next bold step would come from our esteemed government. It has followed the same decision and now opened up public places and places of worship for those who are vaccinated. It has even gone so far as exempting vaccinated travellers from PCR tests.
I hereby affirm my absolute support for this step. Preserving health is everyone’s responsibility, and there is no excuse for hesitant sceptics who refuse to take the vaccine.
On the heels of the government’s new decision, the turnout for vaccination shots increased significantly. This means we are close to reaching one million vaccinated people in Bahrain and achieving social immunity.
We live in societies based on human interaction, and we are facing a highly contagious and deadly virus. To break the chain of transmission and return to our normal life there is only one solution – take the vaccine! So, why is it that some of us assume our full responsibility by taking the vaccine, while others fail to do so and then claim that they are subjected to bullying and discrimination?
Team Bahrain has made huge efforts to tackle the coronavirus under the leadership of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Prime Minister. It made the astute move of reserving various types of vaccinations at a very early stage and importing them into Bahrain. We have even seen our leadership and senior officials at the forefront of those who received the vaccine.
Since the emergence of the virus, many conspiracy theorists started telling stories about a global conspiracy led by China or the US or even Zionism or mafia gangs. Then came the vaccine and the same sceptical people started telling more stories and spreading rumours about more conspiracies. I am not surprised, because there are always those who question everything; even ancient Greek philosophy witnessed a trend known as “Philosophical scepticism”. The followers of this philosophy used to live in a heightened state of suspicion of everything, to the point that they even began to suspect their very own existence.
We also have the example of the UAE which has managed to vaccinate more than half of the population so far. This has allowed it to work towards reopening its tourism, entertainment, and economic activities. This bold move has attracted tourists from many regions of the world that are still confused about whether to reopen or close. Recently, I read a report stating that the hotel occupancy rate in Dubai has exceeded pre-pandemic levels! I also know from friends that hotel reservation prices in the emirate have never reached such high levels before.
A parting thought to consider: If you (God forbid) had a traffic accident and were treated at the hospital and the doctors decided that you needed blood, would you suspect for a moment that the blood that the doctors and nurses pump into your body is not safe? When you buy medicine from a pharmacy, do you take it to the laboratory to make sure that it does not harm you? Then why do you question your government and your health sector that affirms the importance of taking the Covid-19 vaccine?
Things won’t be the same after these bold government decisions and I am sure that life will be back to normal in the next few months.