[mikem170]

Maybe not a good enough job was done explaining and educating people on the reasons, risks, and odds. Both then and now.

It seems like it would be better to convince people than to try to force them. Many don't take kindly to being forced.

And if you can't convince them, perhaps there's not enough reason to force them.

[Red_Leaves_Flyy]

The needs of the many, those at greater risk of death and disability as a consequence of COVID and the strained hospitals failing to keep up with the volume of patients, outweigh the minute risks a covid vaccine poses to any generic individual. Anyone still on the fence is willfully ignorant and has likely drank far too much of the antivax koolaid.

[mikem170]

That's not going to convince anyone that thinks differently than you, especially the koolaid part.

Even honest people who agree on a set of numbers, like the current U.S. death count of 1 in 493 people, may interpret those numbers quite differently. There's also still plenty of unsettled science around masks and lockdowns, and it's a shame that the news is not more honest about all this. Credibility matters.

I think it helps to quantify things with numbers where possible, with experts to help put those numbers into context, and being prepared to answer follow-up questions and objections.

Personally I agree with you that the vaccine makes sense for individuals. But I'm not so sure about what you also allude to, how much of a difference that trying to force an extra 15-20% of the population to get vaccinated is going to make to those at greater risk. Those at greater risk will still be at greater risk, from delta (which the vaccinated can spread), the flu, other respirator ailments, their old age and comorbidities, etc. It's not an argument that's going to convince someone who thinks the danger of whole pandemic has been exaggerated. Remember that 1 in 493 number. Some people don't think that's a big deal, given how good we are in the modern age at keeping old and sick people alive until something like this gets them.

Forcing people makes them resentful, both personally and politically. Dismissing their opinions as unworthy sure doesn't help. And then comes the politicians and media ready to amplify and ride the wave of the disaffected, for better or worse. Alienating people for marginal benefit carries its own risk, too.