Yes exactly. I did the propagation math in my head. Plus I am a fat guy with T2 diabetes. I talked to my doc who I trust absolutely and he was pretty plain spoken that the risk of side effects is worth it for the benefits of avoiding the actual illness. I studied the vaccine, its ingredients and determined it was as safe as it could be given the technology. I had hoped for Novavax but cases are rising here in Michigan and I want to still live my life. Since Pfizer was approved by the FDA, that was the one I selected. Some very slight arm discomfort 9 hours later but nothing else yet. My oldest daughter and my mother both had Pfizer with no ill effects. As an at risk person for complications it really just came down to a numbers game. The vaccine may slow propagation but it doesn’t prevent the spread and kids in the school here are getting it left and right and my youngest is afraid she will get it and give it to me. She wants no part of having to live with her mother, so I did what I had to do. We will see how the second one goes in three weeks.
Also I travel internationally for work and I don’t need the BS.
“ I am a fat guy with T2 diabetes”
After age, overweight is the single biggest risk factor. Diabetes, just by itself, is among the worst of co-morbidities, for bad outcomes in a COVID-19 infection.
Thank God that you didn’t contract the virus before. Most of those now dying from COVID (over 2,000 yesterday alone), would likely have survived, if they had been fully vaccinated. Because of strong vaccination among those 65+, the profile of those in the ICUs and off to the morgue, has shifted to include significantly higher percentages of overweight patients in their fifties, and even forties. Overwhelmingly, overweight patients.
About eight days (on average) after the first shot, your chances during a infection start to significantly improve. In my view, getting vaccinated was the strongest protection that you could add.
I know that you have heard it before, and I trust that you have tried repeatedly - but this situation gives you a serious motivation to adopt improvements to diet and exercise, and reduce the fat load on your system. It might be a blessing in disguise. Really, the only way to fail, is to quit trying.
Ask your daughter to walk with you regularly. Cherish the time time together While you can, and talk to each other. Not only is it good for both of your health and fitness, I have seen several times how it strengthens relationships, to have such a long-running conversation. Great for the heart, in more ways than one.