Let’s not talk about body ailments and other things. Okay?

This comedian’s prediction of “every conversation for the next three months” is unfortunately accurate.

Perfectly accurate, I dare say. Terribly accurate.

I’ve already experienced a little bit of this, so please, let’s not.

“What vaccine did you get?”

Who cares? Does my answer make a difference? Why do you need to know? Will the name of the pharmaceutical company that manufactured the life-saving medication that I received make any difference to you, me, or our subsequent conversation?

Asking me about my kids expresses interest in my life and my loved ones.

Asking me about my weekend invites a story.

Asking me how I’m doing demonstrates empathy and concern.

Asking me about the brand of vaccine I received solicits my personal medical information.

That’s weird. Even worse, it’s boring.

“Did you have any symptoms or side effects?”

Again, who cares? In fact, let’s not talk about side effects at all lest we find ourselves in the company of someone with vaccine hesitancy. Don’t give anyone an excuse to avoid the shot.

Also, who cares if you experienced a headache or chills or body aches for a day or two after the shot? Not only is this information utterly irrelevant, but it’s the tiniest price to pay for protecting oneself from a disease that has killed more than half a million Americans.

I’ve been asked this specific question by several people already, and my instinct has been to dodge it completely. When asked if I experienced any symptoms after my vaccine, I’ve said, “I was fine,” and attempted to move on.

Is that true?

Not exactly, but who cares? I don’t want to talk about headaches and the chills. I don’t want my conversational plate filled with mentions of fleeting, irrelevant ailments from weeks ago.

I used to work with a woman who would leave the room when someone started complaining about their recent bout with the flu or their nagging tennis elbow. She’s stand up and walk right out.

“I don’t want to hear about body ailments,” she would say.

I always admired that.

If this comedian is correct (and I think he is), your life will be awash in vaccine talk for the next three months. It will be unavoidable.

But perhaps you can avoid the topic yourself. I have yet to ask a single human being what vaccine they have received, nor have I inquired about anyone’s post-shot symptoms except Elysha.

Maybe you could do the same. Be less pedestrian. Be more interesting.

Help to make the world a less repetitive place. And perhaps a less medically intrusive place. A less HIPAA compliant place.

Also, and most important, get vaccinated. As soon as possible. Make the world a safer, healthier, place for yourself and everyone around you.