Life

Marie Louise McConville: Anti-vaxxers should respect everyone's personal choice

I am happy to be vaccinated, knowing that it saves lives
I am happy to be vaccinated, knowing that it saves lives I am happy to be vaccinated, knowing that it saves lives

Personally, I find it difficult to understand.

Don't get me wrong, I know everyone has a right to their own opinion, the right to make their own choices and I respect that but choosing not to get the Covid-19 vaccine just baffles me.

I have to say, as someone with an underlying medical condition, I didn't think twice when my GP surgery contacted me about getting my doses.

In fact, I would go as far as to say I was delighted.

I know it sounds naive but up until this global pandemic, I'm not sure I had even heard the term `anti-vaxxer'.

But some of the stuff I have read online by those opposed to the vaccine just sounds so `out there', I've found myself wondering if it's a wind up.

I know everyone has a right to their opinion and even has the right to protest - we do live in a democracy after all - but threatening and bullying others who have a different opinion is simply wrong in my book.

Yes, feel free to stand with a placard or hand out leaflets, but do so while remembering we live in a free society, where everyone can make their own choices.

I read a tweet the other day from a man who pointed out how many of us take painkillers, but how many of us actually know how they work?

We know little about how they affect our body but we don't hesitate to reach for them when we have a headache or a toothache - so how is the vaccine any different?

I remember when I became a mother for the first time, I became worried when I was contacted about booking my daughter in for her first vaccinations.

It just felt like such a big decision about her health but my mother had all of us vaccinated and when I asked my trusted GP for advice, he simply told me that "there are four doctors in this practice and all of them have had their children vaccinated. I can tell you no more than that".

Suffice to say, both my children are fully vaccinated.

Let's be clear, I don't want to fight or argue about this - don't try and draw me in online, I'm not interested - but I personally do not believe there is any conspiracy.

I do not believe Covid-19 is just a cold and I do not believe the pandemic is a lie made up by the government to exert some form of control over us.

I do believe Covid-19 is very real, is killing people, crushing families and the NHS is on its knees because of it.

I am happy in the belief I have played my part and if Covid-19 does come calling, I am content I've done all I can to fight and survive it, increasing my chances of returning into my relieved family's arms.

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Bond fans can finally rejoice after it was announced that the long awaited premiere of No Time To Die will take place on September 28.

Repeatedly delayed due to the pandemic, Daniel Craig's final outing as 007 will be premiered at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

A message on the film's official Twitter account said the 53-year-old actor will be joined on the red carpet by producers, Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli and director Cary Joji Fukunaga.

No Time To Die is the most expensive Bond film out of all 25, coming in at £200 million.

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Competition

With autumn just around the corner, it may be time to reconsider our skin care regime in anticipation of the colder weather.

The Elave skincare range is manufactured in Ireland by Gardiner Family Apothecary, who have been providing clean formulations for dry and sensitive skin for 86 years.

Joanne Gardiner, CEO of Elave, said the brand’s mission is "to use only the most gentle, clean ingredients combined with proven rejuvenating actives such as hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, and vitamins B, C & E, to protect sensitive skin.

"Elave’s age-defying formulations work for all skin types to leave you with healthy, bright, and younger-looking skin. All are certified PETA Cruelty-Free and 9 per cent are PETA Vegan," she said.

The Elave skincare range is available at community pharmacies and online at gardinerfamilyapothecary.com.

I have three Elave Sensitive Skin Hydrating Essentials kit to give away.

Each kit, which is worth £31.95, contains an Elave Sensitive Hydrating Cream Cleanser and an Elave Sensitive Intense Moisture Surge.

If you fancy winning a kit simply email your name, address and telephone number – along with the answer to the question below – to competitions@irishnews.com

Closing date for entries is 12 noon on Tuesday, August 31, 2021

(Q) How much are the Elave Sensitive Skin Hydrating Essentials kits worth each?

Normal Irish News Rules Apply

COMPETITION WINNERS

The winners of The Surplus Girls' Orphans competition are Immacula McBride, from Belfast, Alice Harkin, from Dunamanagh, Eileen Taylor, from Belfast, Margo Trimble, from Annalong, and Bernadette Bannon, from Drogheda.