Rant #2,815: The Way It Is

The world continues to turn in spite of millions of people refusing to get inoculated against the coronavirus.
 
And that is their right to do.
 
But they are not living in the real world, or the world of today, and eventually, they will get their shots, whether they want to or not.
 
And later on, they will get their booster shots, whether they want to or not.

Again, a major part of the problem is that these shots have been woefully mis-marketed as vaccines, and they are not.

But what these shots will do is lessen the severity of the coronavirus if you happen to get it. 
 
Getting your shots is just the reality of the times we live in, which nobody is happy about, but it is just the way it is.
 
And getting your shots is not a political move, although some would have you believe that it is.
 
Two of the most famous of the non-inoculated bunch are professional athletes, who based on their comments, really have no clue about the world that they are making millions of dollars each year in.
 
Kyrie Irving, the Brooklyn Nets’ talented guard, will not get his shots for a variety of reasons, none of which he ever explains clearly.
 
At first, his refusal to get the shots forced the team to ban him completely from playing this season, but the team’s stance has softened with all the other COVID incidents and injuries that have racked the NBA season.
 
He now can play road games only, but he cannot play home games because New York City bans athletes from competition if they don’t have their shots.
 
He also cannot play in Toronto, which has a similar measure on board, and thus, he not only can’t play north of the border, but he can’t play on his home court at Barclays Center and at Madison Square Garden.
 
After a loss in yesterday’s holiday game, Irving was asked if he will eventually get the shots, and again, he said he has made his stand and won’t budge, giving a myriad of reasons, none of which makes much sense.
 
And yes, right after the Nets permitted him to play road games, he did contract a mild case of the virus.
 
And then we have even a more repulsive case of an athlete who evidently thinks he breathes different air than us peons.
 
Novak Djokovic, the world’s top male tennis player, refuses to get his shots, and he has put his career in jeopardy by not doing so, as he risks bans in just about every country that has a tournament that he wants to compete in.
 
His stance created an international uproar when he was held at bay by authorities in Australia, a country with some of the most strict COVID rules and regulations in the world.
 
He wanted to play and defend his title in the Australian Open, but he was held at bay for days while the Australian courts debated his status.
 
Finally, the courts decided that he was not above everyone else in the country, and he was denied entrance into the tournament and the country and pretty much was deported.
 
And officials at the French Open are already talking about a similar ban, and the same thing at the U.S. Open.
 
And yes, the tennis player has also had his own bout with the virus.
 
Look, nobody really likes these bans.
 
And when it comes to these athletes, both Irving and Djokovic are at the top of their games, in the prime of their careers, and it would be great to see each of them compete.
 
But the reality of it is that the last time I looked, they both put on their pants the same way as I do, and they are no better or no worse than others less famous than they are.
 
They are human beings like the rest of us, and if the rules say you need to get your shots in order to participate, well then, you need your shots in order to participate.
 
Far less known people have stupidly given up their professions because they refuse to get their shots, and that is their right to do.
 
But don’t go on the national and international stage, like these two athletes have done, and plead your case, because you are not going to get many takers to the gibberish that you use to explain your cases.
 
I have know several people who for one reason or another, have finally gotten their shots, and while they aren’t too happy about it, they got their shots.
 
In the sports world, when we give any credence to those who refuse to get their shots, we almost become enablers, because we are so taken by their talents.
 
But in actuality, what makes them better than your next door neighbor, yoiur relative, or your spouse who held out as long as they could, but finally got the shots to be able to participate in their own daily activities?
 
Sorry, while Irving and Djokovic have to right to their stance, we also have a right to reject their double talk about the shots.
 
We will all have to get the shots in due time, whether we like it or not, I have been saying this for months, and I will continue to say it, even to those who refuse to believe what I say.
 
I don’t like it either, but it is the way it is right now, so just grin and bear it and get the shots.
 
They won’t harm you, it is over in less than a flash, and it might actually help you in the long run.
 
But again, do what you feel is best for you, but don’t use your celebrity status to plead your case like these two dense athletes have tried to do, and failed so miserably in doing so.
 
You won’t get my pity, that’s for sure.
 
By the way, I have a very early appointment tomorrow, so I will have to skip my Wednesday Rant.
 
I will speak to you again on Thursday.
 
In the meantime, if you have not gotten your shots yet, Wednesday might be a good time to do so,
 
It’s high time that you did.