Of course, one tends to select facts that fit ones own bias. For example, liberals could be against the vaccine because they distrust big pharma. Others because they think vaccines cause autism. In a big enough population, you can find random examples of just about anything.

Those on the right oppose vaccines because “freedom” or — more truthfully — because they belong to cult 45. (They are okay with mandated measles, polio and chickenpox vaccines for schoolchildren — this includes governors DeSantis and Abbot — who otherwise call these mandates tyranny.)

I have 3 criteria: 1. I see everything as probabilities, not absolute; in this case, the vaccine makes getting Covid less likely, and need for hospitalization even more unlikely. Exceptions are newsworthy because they are rare. 2. When it comes to science, I believe the majority of scientists in the relevant field. I give no weight to amateurs—usually ideologues, politicians, pundits, whatever 3. Death seems worse than a sore arm.

My “research” on this would mean no more than my research on physics or astronomy or the climate. I’m not a scientist and lack the expertise of a professional who’s spent his/her life deeply studying the subject, and working within a system that includes vigorous peer review.