Unknown Interviewee
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): Medium (Personal)
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): Unknown
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: Yes, I believe there was concern that Canada’s Pfizer supply might diminish in the next two to twenty days, impacting the timing for the second shot. Consequently, it seemed prudent to opt for Moderna instead. The difference between them is negligible; both have similar efficacy and are mRNA-based. Recently, my sister and I enjoyed a small outing together. The place was bustling. On another note, I’ve successfully paid off my student debts this month, which is quite a relief. Presently, I’m exploring various graduate schools, including the University of Iceland, so there’s a lot to consider at the moment. Today marks the start of a new job for me.
Unknown Interviewee: Can you tell me more about your current academic pursuits? What are you focusing on?
Jacobsen: Currently, I’m studying philosophy and psychology. Statistics or American Studies seem interesting to me. The program there is relatively brief, lasting about a year and a half. Plus, the education is free. Iceland seems like an exciting place to live. I recall an event back in late May or early June of 2019. I was running for the position of secretary-general in a young humanist organization and won the vote. That coincided with the General Assembly of the Icelandic Humanist Association, Humanists International, Community International, and the European Humanist Federation. It was a five-day event brimming with activity. I had the opportunity to meet several notable individuals, like Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor. It was quite overwhelming, mingling with these prominent figures. I remember feeling out of place, as it was my first time travelling to Europe—though my European friends don’t necessarily consider Iceland as part of Europe.
Unknown Interviewee: That seems to be a point of contention for some.
Jacobsen: Indeed, during that time, the president of Iceland delivered a lecture to a group of us, about 30 to 50 individuals from the main body of young Humanists international. We were amidst a significant rebranding process that lasted about two years. You might be familiar with the standardization across Humanist organizations globally. Being part of this transitional phase was chaotic, but ultimately rewarding. Now, everything is more structured, including a new role for a youth coordinator. I somewhat envy the younger generation joining now; they have a more established framework. My journey through various roles within the organization, from treasurer to vice president and then secretary-general, involved navigating numerous changes. Starting in an organization without a solid structure requires more effort and can be more stressful.
There were also some neglected aspects of international Hanism that we had to address. But, the experience was enriching. The president, for instance, gave an insightful lecture. The attendees were quite diverse, including individuals from Belgium, Germany, Canada, and the United States. It was an exceptional experience. Later, visiting the graduate student office in Iceland, I felt a strong inclination to study there. Alongside my academic pursuits, I’ve been focusing on journalism and gradually building my writing career. Now that I’m debt-free, I feel it’s time to take my academic endeavours further.
With so many things happening, my new job has been a great addition. I’m working full-time and have two part-time jobs—one in a restaurant and the other in event coordinating. So, there’s a lot on my plate right now. This busy schedule has led to limited contact with many in the secular community, even as I continue my publishing work.
Unknown Interviewee: The situation was quite remarkable because I know Canada was very stringent with their quarantine measures.
Jacobsen: Absolutely, that’s true.
Unknown Interviewee: People were saying, “Oh my gosh, communist Canada doesn’t let anyone go out.”
Jacobsen: Many do have that perception.
Unknown Interviewee: And I’m thinking, “They’re handling it better than us. We have like half a million people dead. What are they talking about?”
Jacobsen: Yes, even if you consider the proportions.
Unknown Interviewee: They’re offering the vaccine for free everywhere, and yet people are reluctant to get it.
Jacobsen: That’s a classic example of American misinformation networks and conspiracy theories.
Unknown Interviewee: It’s astonishing. Over here, people are saying, “Oh, they’re injecting a virus so we’ll die from cancer.” And I’m thinking, “Why would the government spend so much money on vaccines just to make us die from cancer in winter and then pay for our cancer treatment?”
Jacobsen: By American conspiracy theory standards, that’s relatively mild. American conspiracy theories…
Unknown Interviewee: Absolutely. Some people are even talking about microchips being implanted.
Jacobsen: Oh yes, that’s an extension of a paranoia that’s been around for at least a decade about being microchipped. But when it comes to Americans, I remember a survey from maybe 2019, which looked into seven major irrational beliefs: UFOs, Bigfoot, Atlantis, the devil, an afterlife, telekinesis, and psychic powers. Out of those seven, five percent of Americans believe all of them, or at least some of them. At least half of the Americans believe in some of these. It’s ambiguous how this plays out, but some beliefs seem benign. Like, someone believing in UFOs doesn’t necessarily impact their day-to-day life. However, other beliefs can be more serious, influencing crucial health decisions for themselves or their children.
And now, with the national federal government vaccine campaign, it’s going to take a significant amount of time to counteract those beliefs. Plus, we still have the tragedies of the past to contend with. The number of deaths due to the coronavirus is probably the largest compared to any other flu, not sure if per capita, but certainly in terms of total numbers.
Unknown Interviewee: There were thousands of people dying every day. When I saw the numbers, I couldn’t believe it. It’s more than in any other war. Seriously, the situation almost made us look like Nazis. The most concerning part was that most of the deceased were African-American, followed by Hispanic people. This highlights the stark inequalities in health care access. It’s evident that those at the top of the system have advantages, while others don’t have the same access. This pandemic has exposed the shortcomings of our healthcare system. Activists have long pointed out that African-Americans often have the worst jobs, leading to poor healthcare access because of their inability to afford it. Similarly, Hispanics, especially those without documentation, can’t even apply for insurance. Consequently, many avoid hospitals due to the exorbitant costs. For example, my sister, who works in daycare and contracted COVID, received a bill of seven thousand dollars for just one night in the emergency room without being hospitalized. It’s outrageous, especially for someone with a job like hers. I can’t imagine the situation for those without insurance. People would rather risk death than face a $7000 bill.
I was fortunate to receive the vaccine early, in December. I’m in the military, so we were prioritized. I contracted COVID on January 7th, despite being vaccinated on December 28th. My job in the prison system requires regular COVID testing, as we’re considered essential, like nurses, due to our work with inmates. After contracting COVID, I only experienced mild symptoms like a stuffy nose and fever. However, the second vaccine dose was tougher; I had severe body aches and a high fever, but it lasted only about twenty-four hours. I advise everyone to prepare for the aftermath of the second shot – stock up on groceries and ready-to-eat meals, as you won’t feel like doing much. My 13-year-old daughter, who had both Pfizer shots, only had a mild fever but was otherwise fine. It seems to vary from person to person.
Jacobsen: Yes, the point of life is to keep living.
Unknown Interviewee: I’m excited about this interview. It’s fun, and we’ll see how it goes.
Jacobsen: Eva would be a great guest, given her broad leadership perspective. If the president of an organization speaks, it typically carries authority. Before we start today, do you have any questions for me?
Unknown Interviewee: What topic are we covering today? I just did an overview of our activism in Latin America. There’s been a lot happening there.
Jacobsen: We should focus on the first half of 2021 in Latin America. I remember we discussed the distinction between South Central America and Latin America based on language. Let’s clarify that right from the start. Then we can delve into defining Latin America and explore the current happenings there.
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