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Science Communicator Goes Viral After Her “Explain Like I’m 5” Explanation Of Vaccines Entices 38K People On Twitter
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Science Communicator Goes Viral After Her “Explain Like I’m 5” Explanation Of Vaccines Entices 38K People On Twitter

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2020 was a challenging year for everyone, but it appears there’s a light at the end of this tunnel—news of vaccines are coming from several countries, all with the goal to put an end to the global pandemic. But before we can pull out the champagne and celebrate in the streets (remember those good times?), we have to understand what the vaccines will really do to us and what we can expect from this long-awaited victory.

First and foremost, the upcoming vaccine is not a miracle cure—there will be no magic wand that will fix the world. However, it’s a huge step forward which will help us all get back on our feet—or at least regain the world we had not so long ago. But before we jump head-first into the tricky world of pharmacy and happily skip towards the proverbial sunset, it’s a good idea to understand exactly what we’re signing up for. Luckily, the professionals are here to help!

With A COVID-19 Vaccine On The Horizon, Debates About It Are Inevitable, Including This One That’s Going Viral Right Now

Image credits: SELF Magazine

Dr. Teagan Wall, PhD is a speaker and science communicator, as well as the writer behind some of “smarter” shows on TV (including Young Sheldon). And in her recent Twitter thread, she explained how the vaccines work and what we can expect from them (spoiler alert: there’s no instant cure).

Image credits: TeagWall

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Image credits: TeagWall

Image credits: TeagWall

Turns Out, People Might Be Carrying The Virus Without Any Active Symptoms, But You Can Still Pass It On To Somebody Else

Image credits: TeagWall

Image credits: TeagWall

Image credits: TeagWall

If The Vaccine Is Ignored, The Predicted Mortality Rate In The US Will Be Close To 6m

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Image credits: TeagWall

Image credits: TeagWall

Wall Says The Vaccines Are Like Gloves: It Won’t Eradicate The Virus, But It’ll Reduce The Spread By 90%

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Image credits: TeagWall

On the surface level, coronavirus is similar to the flu—you might not be actively sniffling or coughing, but you can spread it to other people who are more susceptible, intentionally or not. Coronavirus gets inside the body via mucus membranes (not the most glamorous term, we know) aka nose, mouth, lungs, or eyes. With the vaccine, the spread should be halted to a degree.

Dr. Wall noted the upcoming vaccine, however useful, is not a “get out of jail free card,” so the standard means of protection still apply. It’s all a complete protective ensemble to reduce the spread of the virus and keep the active cases to a minimum.

According to her, vaccines won’t actively keep you from contracting the virus (any virus, to be fair). Instead, you will have a slim chance of still getting sick or even carrying the virus, but if everyone had that same percentage, then the chances of fatal cases would drop tremendously.

Twitter users quickly embraced the “Explain it like I’m 5” method, sharing their own thoughts about the vaccine and seeking advice or guidance on how to act or what to expect. The thread’s comment section quickly became a smorgasbord of discussion, with 38K likes and 19K tweets all surrounding the same topic: will the new vaccine return life to normal?

19K People On Twitter Jump At A Chance To Share Their Insights On The Upcoming Vaccine

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lassila-alexander avatar
Aragorn II Elessar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As the first comment, i have not been offended by this comments section at all. Good job, no one!

bp_10 avatar
WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A 5 years old can understand this explanation. Sadly a lot of grown up people all around the world never were smart enough to graduate from kindergarten. That's way Velcro shoes are so popular.

leodomitrix avatar
Leo Domitrix
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cute comment. However, velcro shoe closures are useful for people who are using prosthetic hands, or have crippling diseases beyond any control, and are not an indication of intellectual capacity. Just clarifying for those who think velcro on your shoes = stupidity.

Load More Replies...
ammar_2098 avatar
Mohammad Ammar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm not an anti-vaxer or anything but I do feel a little hesitant about getting this covid one. Pakistan can't afford large amounts of the Pfizer vacine so we'll mostly rely on the chinese one. It's probably safe but they aren't as open about the trials and reports like the western companies are. Also, I remember how during the early stages of development, scientists were stressing on the importance of the safety inspection and approval of vacines which usually takes years.Now all of a sudden they're like oh forget about that just take it. Also 2 member's of the NHS who just got the vaccine have had an allergic reaction, so now they're not offering it to people with allergies or something. I mean how could they not have known about that during all those trials?? What do you all think, Am I being a worry wart or are my concerns valid?

ruthmayfly avatar
Ruth Mayfly
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't really comment on the Chinese vaccine but I can answer some questions about general vaccination testing: It usually takes years and years to get a vaccine approved, and nearly all of that is paperwork. You have to obtain funding first and that can take ages. Then you have to get approval for the ethics of the study, get approval for everything about the design of the experiment from a variety of places, which all have queues. Then you have to get a team together, it's not like people put their lives on hold to do an experiment which might or might not happen 2 years in the future. Then you actually start recruiting volunteers to do the experiment, do the experiment (which takes a few months usually), analyse the data, then start the long approval process. It all takes years, but the actual experiment only takes a few months. Here, begging for funding was eliminated, all the paperwork was super fast-tracked and they probably had a bigger team than usual to work on analysis

Load More Replies...
dirigobill avatar
Bill
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The US military gives dozens of vaccines over the course of an enlistment . Some aren't approved. The Veteran population has much higher rates of diabetes, ALS, MS. I wonder if this is a coincidence ?

petrosvrasivanopoulos avatar
Petros Vrasivanopoulos
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

not an antivaxer by any stretch however the vaccine is coming out a tad too quickly for my liking. until im kinda forced to do it, i would prefer not to do it yet. im going to research it more its just i feel kinda uneasy i do however declare that it might be my lack of knowledge on the subject which renders me un willing to do it asap

ashpryce avatar
James Dutton
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This vaccine is built off research going back about 15 years. The reason most vaccines take so long is mostly admin, funding, lack of people and resources - which haven't been an issue this time. With the exception of (very unlikely) degenerative illness, we'd know by now of any serious issues Side effects have been in line with most other vaccines Most approving agencies aren't going to pass a vaccine unless it is safer than getting the disease The vaccine is as safe as any other vaccine to get.

Load More Replies...
spengler avatar
SpaceGhost
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are so many Biology 101 lies and fact omissions on this page as to make it unreadable. The Covidian vaccine will alter your DNA.This is not a good thing.

giovannat1979 avatar
giovanna
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That would be the no-vaxxers nemesis. They have relied on herd immunity so far. But if this vaccine protects vaccinated ppl from symptoms but not others... well this sounds Divine Justice to me. Sorry but it does.

sjvmi87 avatar
David Retsler
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If we "still need to be smat" then we, as a country, are doomed.

leodomitrix avatar
Leo Domitrix
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm starting to think we should teach immunology in kindergarten...

kathrynfellis avatar
Katchen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My five year old knows that white blood cells kill germs. We have an anatomy picture book. And another germ book called “Don’t Lick This Book.” I like trying to get him to say “macrophage.”

Load More Replies...
sephiroth_choir avatar
Number 5
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm really exited to get the Corona Virus shot. The only thing I'm curious about is how long it's supposed to last before you get another one since I haven't found a clear answer on that. Sounds like that's the only thing they're not sure of.

brettconnor avatar
Brett Connor
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

This guy is full of s**t. You'd better watch this from the Pennsylvania State capitol. STUNNING: https://www.bitchute.com/video/Aa6rJXhdu4SN/

moconnell avatar
M O'Connell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"BitChute is a video hosting service known for accommodating far-right individuals and conspiracy theorists, and for hosting hateful material."

Load More Replies...
lassila-alexander avatar
Aragorn II Elessar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As the first comment, i have not been offended by this comments section at all. Good job, no one!

bp_10 avatar
WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A 5 years old can understand this explanation. Sadly a lot of grown up people all around the world never were smart enough to graduate from kindergarten. That's way Velcro shoes are so popular.

leodomitrix avatar
Leo Domitrix
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cute comment. However, velcro shoe closures are useful for people who are using prosthetic hands, or have crippling diseases beyond any control, and are not an indication of intellectual capacity. Just clarifying for those who think velcro on your shoes = stupidity.

Load More Replies...
ammar_2098 avatar
Mohammad Ammar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm not an anti-vaxer or anything but I do feel a little hesitant about getting this covid one. Pakistan can't afford large amounts of the Pfizer vacine so we'll mostly rely on the chinese one. It's probably safe but they aren't as open about the trials and reports like the western companies are. Also, I remember how during the early stages of development, scientists were stressing on the importance of the safety inspection and approval of vacines which usually takes years.Now all of a sudden they're like oh forget about that just take it. Also 2 member's of the NHS who just got the vaccine have had an allergic reaction, so now they're not offering it to people with allergies or something. I mean how could they not have known about that during all those trials?? What do you all think, Am I being a worry wart or are my concerns valid?

ruthmayfly avatar
Ruth Mayfly
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't really comment on the Chinese vaccine but I can answer some questions about general vaccination testing: It usually takes years and years to get a vaccine approved, and nearly all of that is paperwork. You have to obtain funding first and that can take ages. Then you have to get approval for the ethics of the study, get approval for everything about the design of the experiment from a variety of places, which all have queues. Then you have to get a team together, it's not like people put their lives on hold to do an experiment which might or might not happen 2 years in the future. Then you actually start recruiting volunteers to do the experiment, do the experiment (which takes a few months usually), analyse the data, then start the long approval process. It all takes years, but the actual experiment only takes a few months. Here, begging for funding was eliminated, all the paperwork was super fast-tracked and they probably had a bigger team than usual to work on analysis

Load More Replies...
dirigobill avatar
Bill
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The US military gives dozens of vaccines over the course of an enlistment . Some aren't approved. The Veteran population has much higher rates of diabetes, ALS, MS. I wonder if this is a coincidence ?

petrosvrasivanopoulos avatar
Petros Vrasivanopoulos
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

not an antivaxer by any stretch however the vaccine is coming out a tad too quickly for my liking. until im kinda forced to do it, i would prefer not to do it yet. im going to research it more its just i feel kinda uneasy i do however declare that it might be my lack of knowledge on the subject which renders me un willing to do it asap

ashpryce avatar
James Dutton
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This vaccine is built off research going back about 15 years. The reason most vaccines take so long is mostly admin, funding, lack of people and resources - which haven't been an issue this time. With the exception of (very unlikely) degenerative illness, we'd know by now of any serious issues Side effects have been in line with most other vaccines Most approving agencies aren't going to pass a vaccine unless it is safer than getting the disease The vaccine is as safe as any other vaccine to get.

Load More Replies...
spengler avatar
SpaceGhost
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are so many Biology 101 lies and fact omissions on this page as to make it unreadable. The Covidian vaccine will alter your DNA.This is not a good thing.

giovannat1979 avatar
giovanna
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That would be the no-vaxxers nemesis. They have relied on herd immunity so far. But if this vaccine protects vaccinated ppl from symptoms but not others... well this sounds Divine Justice to me. Sorry but it does.

sjvmi87 avatar
David Retsler
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If we "still need to be smat" then we, as a country, are doomed.

leodomitrix avatar
Leo Domitrix
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm starting to think we should teach immunology in kindergarten...

kathrynfellis avatar
Katchen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My five year old knows that white blood cells kill germs. We have an anatomy picture book. And another germ book called “Don’t Lick This Book.” I like trying to get him to say “macrophage.”

Load More Replies...
sephiroth_choir avatar
Number 5
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm really exited to get the Corona Virus shot. The only thing I'm curious about is how long it's supposed to last before you get another one since I haven't found a clear answer on that. Sounds like that's the only thing they're not sure of.

brettconnor avatar
Brett Connor
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

This guy is full of s**t. You'd better watch this from the Pennsylvania State capitol. STUNNING: https://www.bitchute.com/video/Aa6rJXhdu4SN/

moconnell avatar
M O'Connell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"BitChute is a video hosting service known for accommodating far-right individuals and conspiracy theorists, and for hosting hateful material."

Load More Replies...
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