Career Success

A Scientist, A Doctor and A Rapper: Covid-19 Threatens Careers of Vaccination Hesitant

By Melisha Daniels  -  September 21, 2021 Tweet 

So far Covid-19 has cancelled work, school, church, weddings, funerals, restaurants, sporting events, concerts and clubs. The pandemic has cancelled more of American life than the LBGTQ community has cancelled careers of the homophobic. From the angst of having a loved one that has battled and/or succumb to the deadly disease, to the anxiety of returning our children to school with the virus in full bloom. Last, but not definitely not the least stressful, a Presidential mandate to take the vaccine or risk losing employment. And just like that, Covid-19 threatens to cancel our careers.

Vaccines, Mandates and Anti-Vax Opposition

Before we get into this, let me first say that vaccines have been around since Smallpox. Smallpox is one of the worst viral diseases known to man and was responsible for the deaths of about a 500 million people worldwide from 1880 to 1980. The smallpox virus has essentially been eliminated in the U.S., with all but a few cases being diagnosed since 2015. However, eradication did not come about without vaccines, mandates and vaccine opposition.

As early as 1840, the United Kingdom imposed a smallpox vaccine mandate on its citizens. The initial UK mandate required infants up to age 3 months to be vaccinated. Like present day, the 19th century mandate gave rise to those who were hesitant or outright opposed to taking the vaccine.

Opposers of the intravenous smallpox vaccine came from all walks of life. Some of those opposed to taking the vaccine were religious leaders who believed taking a vaccine derived from a cow's cowpox blister contradicted with their religious beliefs. While others were afraid of the unknown consequences of injecting live virus. The painful and sometimes brutal smallpox vaccination process also caused hesitation.

Like many of the unvaccinated today, smallpox vaccination opposers consisted of people simply looking for answers to questions. They wanted to know the source of the virus, where it came from and how it was spread. They also wanted proof of the efficacy or effectiveness of the smallpox vaccine.

A January, 2021 article published on HistoryToday.com explains that some anti-vax objections were justified, while others were without merit. No matter ones reasoning for refusing the vaccine, the vaccine hesitant of the mid-1800's faced little more than a monetary fine for their opposition. Covid-19 unvaccinated face career cancellation.

Not only has the invisible, yet very real virus cancelled life as we once knew it; Covid-19 also poses a viable threat to the careers of those who speak against or show hesitancy about taking what is now referred to as the 'jab'. And to date, none have felt the heat from threat of cancellation due to their anti-vax or vaccination hesitant stance more than ex-Pfizer scientific researcher, Michael Yeadon, Managing Editor of Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons, Dr. Jane Orient and Grammy award winning rapper Nicki Minaj.

The Scientist - Michael Yeadon

Michael Yeadon is a scientific researcher and former vice-president of pharmaceutical giant and Covid-19 vaccine manufacturer, Pfizer. According to an article published by Reuters Investigates, Yeadon co-authored a petition that was sent to European medicine regulators. Published on a German website in December, 2020, the petition urged a halt to the ongoing Covid-19 trials in humans and spoke of links between the Covid-19 vaccine and female infertility.

European medicine regulators were immediately critical of Yeadon’s anti-vax claims. With the British Department of Health and Social Care strongly condemning the insinuation of a link between the Covid-19 vaccine and female infertility. Calling the suggestions by the experienced researcher "false, dangerous and deeply irresponsible". Shortly after the petition, Michael Yeadon's career took an unusual turn. With Yeadon, a veteran researcher and proponent of "herd immunity" now being described as unusual and out of character by friends and former colleagues with opposite views. The former pharmaceutical executive and subsequent biotech entrepreneur is now being described as a shell of his former self. His Covid-19 anti-vax views called single-minded and lacking scientific vigor.

The Doctor - Dr. Jane Orient

Physician and internist, Dr. Jane Orient does not want to be labeled as an anti-vaxer. Her views promote using approaches outside of the heavily suggested intravenous vaccinations available in the U.S. Emphasizing alternative approaches such as the use of hydroxychloriquine and very high doses of Vitamin C and D. She also cautions against the rush to mass vaccination in the United States.

Quoted in a December, 2020 New York Times article as saying "Peoples rights should be respected" when speaking of the mass vaccination effort currently underway across the nation. The doctor is the Executive Director of politically conservative group Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) Despite having views that differ from those of the Center for Disease Control Covid-19 recommendations and Dr. Fauci; the Arizona doctor who, because of an immune system disorder had opted not to take the vaccine, was invited to testify before the Senate Committee.

The invite prompted harsh criticism from Senate Minority Leader, Chuck Schumer. Who referred to the AAPS' idea that federally mandated vaccination is a violation of individual civil rights as "dangerous rhetoric". Mr. Schumer also said hydroxychloroquine should not be used by the American people as recent studies had deemed the drug ineffective in fighting the Covid-19 virus. Calling suggestions to use the lower cost drug both anti-vax and anti-scientific in his statement. While also demanding that Dr. Orient’s invite to testify before the Senate Committee be revoked.

The Rapper - Nicki Minaj

Last weekend, the Award winning rapper, Nicki Minaj did not attend the Met Gala because of hesitancy to take the Covid-19 Vaccine. An initial tweet told the folktale, story or rumor of a friend of her cousin who reported impotence and swollen genitals from taking the vaccine. Minaj, then clarified her reason for not attending the infamous celebrity ball. In a tweet to her millions of followers, the Anaconda rapper informed her fans that she was leary of the Covid-19 vaccine requirement imposed by the Met Gala organizers.

They want you to get vaccinated for the Met. if I get vaccinated it won’t for the Met. It’ll be once I feel I’ve done enough research. I’m working on that now. In the meantime my loves, be safe. Wear the mask with 2 strings that grips your head & face. Not that loose one 🙏♥️

— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 13, 2021

Stating she wanted to do more research about the vaccine's currently available.

Listen. Before we discuss the timing of Ms. Minaj's announcement regarding the Covid-19 vaccine, we have to acknowledge the power "word of mouth" has on the Black community. "Word of mouth" in the Black community is powerful enough to seat Obama as the first Black U.S. president and effective enough to unseat Trump. So making decisions based on "word of mouth" information is not unheard of.

The rapper's announcement was faced with immediate backlash. In particular, CNN's Don Lemon, responded to the rappers vaccine hesitant comments by stating in a now deleted tweet, that the unvaccinated are "stupid" and should be "shunned" by society.

No doubt Covid-19 has the nation by the balls with no intentions of releasing its grip anytime soon. What started as a virus we didn’t know about but would have fully contained in no time, is now so powerful it has restricted our ability to travel freely and enjoy dining out. The pandemic has stomped on an already embattled economy. Unlike 19th century anti-vaxers, for Americans with hesitance to take the Covid-19 vaccine monetary fines don't appear to be a luxury. In the land of the free, the Covid-19 virus is now encroaching on Americans' ability earn a paycheck.