Vaccine cognitive dissonance

Requiring vaccines would be more justified if evidence existed that it stops the spread. Unfortunately that turns out to be untrue. In the Netherlands today (ABC News 11.12.21):

The move comes a day after the country's public health institute recorded 16,364 new positive tests in 24 hours — the highest number of any time during the pandemic that has killed more than 18,600 people in the Netherlands.

Last week, the government reintroduced orders to wear face masks in stores and expanded use of the country's COVID pass, which proves the holder has been fully vaccinated, has recovered from COVID-19 or has tested negative. Since then, cases have only increased.

The Netherlands, where nearly 85% of adults are fully vaccinated, largely ended lockdown restrictions at the end of September.

By MIKE CORDER Associated Press November 12, 2021, 5:37 AM • 2 min read

Regular behavior - small but mighty in so many ways

"No single food will make or break good health. But the kinds of food you choose day in and day out have a major impact." -- Dr. Walter Willett

Read More: Dr. Walter Willett Wants You to Eat Plant-Based for the Planet | https://thebeet.com/the-worlds-nutritionist-dr-walter-willet-wants-you-to-eat-for-the-planet/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral

What do you get for $1,782.00? A quick look at your ears, a listen to heart and lungs and a patronizing questionnaire

Due to my age and the fact I am receiving Social Security, I have no option but to have $148.50 withheld each month to cover Medicare Parts A & B.

Fortunately, I enjoy good health due to personal choices and good genes. Therefore, my annual visit to the doctor - which is extremely limited by Medicare rules - costs me $1,782.00

Total per year (148.50 x 12) = $1,782.

Not your problem - but definitely mine. Most of my payments are protection money necessary to allow entry into the complicated medical enterprise should I ever actually need it.

Reply from the billing office where I doctor:

Good afternoon Ms. Youngblood,

If you ever receive a billing from UW Health that is not affordable, please reach out to the billing department for options on possible assistance with your balance.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out through MyChart or by calling our office at 877-565-0505.

Thank you,

Customer Service

MY RESPONSE:

Thanks XXX,

Not a question of affordability - it's just the frustration of using America's healthcare system makes me feel like a video game character trying to jump obstacles and navigate corners. I'm old - I remember simply conducting a transaction with my doctor without the involvement of government, corporations, computers, lawyers, etc. Just person-to person -- sometimes even at my home.

Not a problem you can help with, but I don't use Facebook, so am ranting directly to my healthcare provider's billing office (not you personally).

Note to self

P. 88 THE PROTEAN SELF by Robert Jay Lifton

"For the young Indian woman protagonist of Bharati Mukherjee's Jasmine, the very openness to transformation gives strength and form: "I changed because I wanted to. To bunker oneself inside nostalgia, to sheathe the heart in a bulletproof vest, was to be a coward."


TO BUNKER ONSELF INSIDE NOSTALGIA

So easy to do.. so important to avoid.