Who does it affect if a person doesn't get vaccinated?

Some out there have questioned why they should get vaccinated, using phrases like "My Body, My Choice". Here is a non-exhaustive list of why it matters to others, even if you are young and healthy enough to likely avoid serious consequences.

1. If hospitals are overrun with COVID-19 cases, they can't as easily manage those with other issues. Same with surgeries, etc.
2. There are those who legitimately cannot get vaccinated. Currently this includes those with very serious immune system disorders, who likely would have serious issues should they catch the disease and those under the age of 12. A person choosing to not get vaccinated puts the most vulnerable around them at risk of getting sick through no option of their own.
3. Shortages happen when factories are shut down because of quarentined workers. This has happened many times in the pandemic, and has caused a number of issues. Not being vaccinated contributes to this problem
4. Getting vaccinated will allow people to travel more, both the vaccinated and the unvaccinated. In 2019 a US citizen could travel to 185 destinations without a visa. Today, that number is around 75, although with many more restrictions than in 2019. Other countries are afraid of the high levels of infection in the US, and not willing to take the high risk of catching this infection stronger.

In other words, one's decision to not get vaccinated can and does have an affect on those who choose to get vaccinated, those who cannot for medical reasons get vaccinated, and can result in shortages of goods or services. It is critical that we get COVID-19 under control, and it can be done simply. Getting an appointment to get vaccinated in the US is easy, look to your pharmacy, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, etc, they more than likely are taking appointments within a matter of a few days. There is no cost to this, it is safe, and the sooner we all get vaccinated, the sooner we can go back to normal life! And, in the words of Mathew 25:40, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

On another note, in 1905, this issue was brought before the Supreme Court. In a 7-2 decision, they declared that the government could, under the principal of self-defense, mandate vaccines, with the exception if it "be apparent or can be shown with reasonable certainty that he is not at the time a fit subject of vaccination or that vaccination, by reason of his then condition, would seriously impair his health or probably cause his death."

I do want to add that this principal should be very carefully managed. A person should have control over their body, so long as it doesn't affect other around them. Anything like forced sterilization, forced medical treatment if it is specifically resolved, or other such things. A vaccine to the vast majority of people causes nothing more than very short term side effects, and has an incredible ability to improve the life of those around them. Getting vaccinated simply put helps everyone, which is why the United States has invested so much, under both President Trump and President Biden, to getting a vaccine available as soon as possible.