To the unvaccinated — heed my father’s story
I understand, I really do. It's scary. I am terrified of what's to come, of what's happening and of what the future holds. You are entitled to your own options, your own actions and your own choices, as am I. I see things online all over social media platforms blasting the vaccine, blasting the virus and blasting front line health care workers. It's safe to say many of us have never experienced this kind of pandemic and yes mistakes were made. People have used this virus to make themselves a lot of money. I ask those mocking the vaccine and denying its effectiveness: Are you willing to take this chance? Are you willing to roll on the dice on your life?
I am not a medical professional and most of these keyboards bullies or warriors aren't either. If I wasn't feeling well normally in a non-pandemic situation, who would I seek advice from? For me, it's a medical professional. So why in a pandemic have so many of you decided to jump on to the internet for medical advice? Would a parent go online to seek help for their children from a blog, chat room, or their doctor?
This is the pandemic of misinformation because conspiracy finds root in anxiety and fear. No I wasn't paid off by a government pushing their own agenda or an elite group of individuals running the world. I am driven by the truth and here it is: According to 60 Minutes Australia," 73 per cent of all anti-vaccine content on Facebook came from just 12 people. One of them made more than $100 million through an e-commerce business spreading misinformation and lies about COVID. It all comes down to money, money and money. This is the cost of these lies.
My father Zbigniew, Ziggy, Ulazka, died on May 9 at the age of 59 due to COVID complications. What does this mean? The virus attacked his lungs, he developed pneumonia from it, and died. His body shut down and he literally couldn't breath any more. I know because I was there, holding his hand, while he took his last breath, on a ventilator that couldn't be held into place because his lungs were unable to hold anything in place. That's how people are dying. Life was so busy and we didn't even attempt to get the vaccine. His age group wasn't up yet; he was essential as a driver, yet we didn't push or try hard enough. I will live with that guilt for the rest of my life. We thought the worst in 2020 was behind us, that we were strong and healthy enough. How wrong we were.
My family and I spent weeks calling the ICU up to five times a day, getting updates and zooming with him to try to help him. Hoping he would be able to hear us. Before you come at me with this ventilator's kill BS, stop. It didn't happen. I was there. I wish I wasn't.
No, he didn't have any underlining health issues, he was as healthy as one can be. No, the vent didn't kill him. No, the hospital workers aren't lying about how busy the ICU is with COVID patients. No, COVID doesn't just kill those who are elderly. I was there! I went through this hell! The pain I felt and still feel when I was holding my father's hand and saying goodbye to the best father, best husband and best friend, has imploded us. We thought that after 2020 we were all safe, but this happened. People younger then 70 have died from this virus and it is hell on earth. Have you ever taken a chance on your life, truly a life or death chance? You will if you don't protect yourself. Stay educated and please ask a medical professional before making medical decisions. Just remember when you are told those pushing the medical agenda globally are making millions, those spreading anti-vaccine lies have been proven to be making millions. Just remember these photos: Before and after. Healthy to dying. In a matter of four weeks. No underlining health issues, happy, healthy, then just gone. Remember these photos. I died that day. A piece of me died. It will never be the same again.
Kinga Ulazka'Mcdonald is an entrepreneur living in Hamilton. She lost her father to COVID-19 complications in the spring