Lots of people in many countries are pinning their hopes on the rapid arrival of a safe vaccination for COVID-19. Fair enough. But in an increasingly polarized world, there remains a question of whether people will actually take the vaccination when it is on offer.

Although vaccine scepticism doesn’t appear to affect vaccination rates this is the first pandemic where a sizeable number of people think the whole thing is a giant hoax. 1 in 4 around the world may not take the vaccine. Which, if those people had the courage of their convictions, would be a substantial problem. Here’s why.

https://imgur.com/a/8M7q8

Basically herd immunity only works if enough in the herd are immune. Take a close look at the 75% box and the 50% box because that’s where we might be at. In other words, even with a vaccine, COVID-19 might not go the way of the flu.

Be that as it may, what I think may prove to be just as dangerous as the virus itself are the tears this will make to the social fabric of democracies. I can imagine in China they’ll pretty much vaccinate you whether you want it or not. Now imagine, with this virus in this social climate, a Western democracy trying to force that through. I don’t think it will go well.

And then imagine the reaction from the other side to those who treat this as a personal liberty issue and refuse to be vaccinated? Go, on take a minute. America is likely to be the most polarized but it will happen in Europe too. It could get uglier still.

So if you’re hoping 2021 will be better just because it surely must, take a deep breath. It might not. So every Christian needs to commit James 3:13-18 to memory.

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. ¹⁵ This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. ¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸ And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.