Delta Dawns In Dallas: Are The Unvaccinated Victims — Or Killers?

DALLAS, TX — "I see dead people."— "The Sixth Sense"

A few days ago, I joked about "the Zombie Apocalypse" that's targeted North Texas, with West Nile-carrying mosquitoes, an incurable fungus circulating in Dallas hospitals and the rising rates of COVID-19 infections. Yesterday alone, WFAA reports that there were 1,000 new cases of coronavirus.

That means the delta variant is no laughing matter, and it's returning the metroplex to levels of illness not seen since February — when only a tiny percentage of the population had been vaccinated.

Throughout the pandemic, social scientists and mental health experts have discussed "fatigue" — fatigue in social distancing, fatigue in mask-wearing; the fatigue of at-home schooling, and the negative effects of isolating at home.

But we're seeing something new now: As the delta variant roars into full virulent bloom, those who acted responsibly throughout the lockdowns and spikes have had it with the unvaccinated who refuse to listen to reason.

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What's "reason"? Statistics, folks. As of Monday, according to The Dallas Morning News, Dallas County has reported 4,183 COVID-related deaths. How many of those were from the delta variant? Here's your number: 99.6 percent.

Across the country, stories are pouring in about patients begging for the vaccine as they're about to be intubated. And doctors have to tell them, "It's too late." Some are sneaking off to get vaccinated in secret because their relatives disapprove of the "government overreach" in telling people they need to be inoculated.

And just two days ago, Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz introduced a resolution calling on the Biden administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to end its mask requirements for vaccinated passengers on public transportation. Does he not understand that you can both get and transmit the virus even if you're vaccinated? You can kill someone.

All because you won't wear a little piece of flimsy paper or cloth over your mouth and nose.

It would be bad enough if Cruz, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Sen. Rand Paul, Rep. Jim Jordan and others didn't push against basic science and mock Dr. Anthony Fauci's advice. There are also people who want to hear how this is no big deal. And now they're getting sick, going to the hospital and, in some cases, dying because someone lied to them.

So how are the Texans who've acted wisely supposed to feel about their unvaccinated neighbors who are bringing another —and totally avoidable —tsunami of suffering to North Texas?

One observer says he's grown callous over the last half year. "At this point," he says, "anyone who wants a vaccination could have had one months ago. So I hope that anyone who gets it now gets it bad. And I hope that anyone who has preached against vaccination pays the highest price possible. These people aren't victims. They're killers."

Ever since then-President Donald Trump started "downplaying" the pandemic, there have been two narratives about the coronavirus running concurrently.

One, spearheaded by Fauci and the National Institutes of Health, warned that COVID-19 could engulf the nation in a matter of weeks. He also said that adhering to such safety protocols as social distancing, hand-washing and, later, masks could severely limit community transmission.

The other, championed by irresponsible right-wing mouthpieces from FOX and Lone Star lawmakers such as Cruz, Rep. Louie Gohmert, Gov. Greg Abbott and Sen. John Cornyn say that doing the right thing is "an individual choice." No, it's not. If you were taking only your own life in your hands, that'd be stupid and reckless, but it would be your business — like riding a motorcycle without a helmet.

But, how many times does it need to be said? You. Can. Kill. Someone. Vaccinated or not.

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