By Donald Shoemaker

I’ve followed the debate.
I’ve watched the protests.
I’ve read the biblical and theological and ethical arguments.
Without rehashing all the arguments, I now conclude…

With the resurgence of the Coronavirus (the aggressive Delta variant),
With the infection rate skyrocketing since early July,
With our health care resources now maxing out once again,
With almost all current cases being among the unvaccinated,

It’s time to lay aside our claim to autonomy for the sake of the greater good,
It’s time for followers of Jesus to love their neighbors as themselves,

With few exceptions, it’s time for Americans to get vaccinated.

A News Report

A conservative talk radio host from Tennessee who had been a vaccine skeptic until he was hospitalized with COVID-19 now says his listeners should get vaccinated.

Phil Valentine’s brother, Mark Valentine, spoke at length on WWTN-FM in Nashville on Thursday about his brother’s condition, saying he is in a critical care unit on supplemental oxygen, but not on a ventilator. Phil Valentine has had an afternoon talk radio show on the station for years.

“First of all, he’s regretful that he wasn’t a more vocal advocate of the vaccination,” Mark Valentine said of his brother. “For those listening, I know if he were able to tell you this, he would tell you, ‘Go get vaccinated. Quit worrying about the politics. Quit worrying about all the conspiracy theories.’ ”

– Nashville, TN. The Associated Press, July 24, 2021