I'm confused how you open your comment with this statement, as if to express regret that you didn't get the vaccine and that's why you suffered from the symptoms of Covid. But from the rest of your comment, you don't sound like someone who's avoided Covid vaccines. In fact you go onto promote them.

So I feel it's worth asking: are you vaccinated against Covid? How many times have you been boosted? And if the answer to those questions is "yes" and "more than zero," then what is your basis for scolding others into "getting a vaccine?" I mean, did it work for you, or did you still get Covid and suffer from its symptoms?

For full disclosure, wary as I am of karmic retribution (from the universe, not HN users) for admitting it: I've not been vaccinated, I've not been boosted, and as far as I know I've not had Covid. I did have a sore throat and runny nose on a trip to NYC a few weeks ago, but if that was Covid, I hardly see the urgency to get vaccinated against it, and in fact I'm glad that I suffered from such a minor infirmity since it would mean I'm now immune to potentially deadlier variants, and likely to a degree more than anyone who's been vaccinated against earlier variants (research has consistently shown natural immunity from infection to be longer-lasting and more efficacious against a wider range of unknown variants than any vaccine).

It's telling how everyone I talk to that's avoided vaccines brings it up. They're nervous about getting COVID, they're nervous about having being wrong in the past. Several people have pulled the same "See? The vaccines don't work!" line. Clearly they work. Even 20% efficacy at preventing infection is valuable. Reducing severity is clearly valuable. Reducing spread is a societal obligation, even if the efficacy wanes.

"I had a runny nose so I don't need a vaccine" is a hypothesis. Poll an expert on the matter (like a doctor) and see what they recommend. Ask them why, if you're serious.

These vaccines were never studied to reduce transmission (they don’t). I got my first case of Covid from a vaccinated coworker ( I’m still “unvaccinated” and will be for life). A year later Pfizer admits some of their deceit during European proceedings.

Furthermore, I will turn your phrase that it’s wrong to “do what I want” when it hurts others. Let’s forget about the grievous discrimination, slander, and hatred I suffered as I continued to serve on the frontlines (hero to zero!). People have legitimately been vaccine injured. Sometimes servely sometimes not, but a lot of those people were forced to do what you wanted (mandates, peer pressure, public hatred) and they got hurt. They got hurt with a forced experimental medical treatment that was presented as totally harmless, super duper studied and safe, extremely effective. Each pf those points are lies but a lot of people made a lot of money and power, so that’s good. Have you looked into how they calculated how the vaccines lowers your risk of death? Look at the actual numbers? 15 people died in the control arm, 14 in the vaccinated; ergo it’s highly safe and effective.

As to masks, highest quality evidence says that they are for show at worst or at best , nobody knows that they do anything so mandates are silly . Cochran systematic review https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD... also

Ive had COVID several times and while I won't say it's pleasant, it's like 3 days of bad cold followed by a swift recovery.

My seventy year old parents have had similar trajectories.

If it's taking weeks, I'd be concerned about my overall health and immune system

We saw bad-ass MMA fighters absolutely pounded by Covid. We saw pasty, wimpy Hollywood actors get through Covid with barely a sniffle.

The problem is that you don't know which Covid group you are in until after you get infected with it.

This is why we vaccinate.