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J. Alexander Stevens's avatar

Very recently, I was saddened to learn that MIT (from which I was graduated) now requires all persons on its campus to be "fully vaccinated." In response to any solicitation for funds, I wrote the following:

After receiving your message, I consulted the MIT website and learned, unless I’m mistaken, that MIT does not acknowledge—take into account—accept—(whatever description might best be appropriate)—immunity acquired through natural infection as acceptable in lieu of vaccination; that is, in lieu of being “fully vaccinated.” Based on my understanding of the matter after considerable study, such failure—or refusal—to acknowledge naturally-acquired immunity is, at the very minimum, a medical error. (Evidence and substantiation for my position certainly is available, but there is no useful purpose served in my providing that detail here.)

From the point of view of MIT, the corporation, such failure is understandable and is to be expected. Such failure no doubt eases MIT’s administrative burden in coping with Covid-19. Also, and probably more significantly, such failure is aligned with current CDC policy in that regard and protects MIT’s research funding from that—and related—sources, both from within and without the Government. In relation to those sources, any contribution from me, or those similarly situated, can be of no consequence to MIT. Any acknowledgement later received from MIT of my insignificant contribution would, to my mind, simply be its appreciation, no doubt mechanically expressed, of my willingness to be its useful idiot.

While MIT’s position may well be politically savvy and administratively convenient, it’s intellectually dishonest. While I didn’t expect anything different or better, it would have been refreshing were I to have been mistaken in that regard.

Respectfully submitted,

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J. Alexander Stevens's avatar

I'm a layman. I'm Covid (probably Delta) recovered and not vaccinated. The information/analysis here is exactly what I had hoped to have in due course. Many thanks.

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