A Question for Anthony Rizzo: How is Declining a COVID-19 Vaccine "A Tough Decision"?

Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo disclosed in a radio interview this morning that he declined to take a COVID-19 vaccine. He did not elaborate as to why he won't get a COVID vaccine other than to say it was "a tough decision".

I have a question for Anthony Rizzo. How is declining a COVID-19 vaccine "a tough decision"?

Because to me getting a COVID-19 vaccine By not getting the vaccine one is risking hospitalization or death should one become infected with COVID-19. Of course, Rizzo could get COVID-19 and be asymptomatic. But there is also the risk of infecting others which could lead to hospitalization and death. 

One would think that Rizzo, 31, would be inclined to take the vaccine given his history with cancer as he was diagnosed with Hodgkins' lymphoma in 2008 while still a prospect with the Boston Red Sox. However, Rizzo chose to play during the 2020 season despite COVID-19 and his medical history proclaiming "technically, I'm cured" even though there is no cure for cancer. So this could go a long way in explaining his decision.

But it doesn't answer why Rizzo considered it a tough decision. I would like to know not to condemn Rizzo but rather to have the knowledge necessary to persuade him and other people (whether they play for the Chicago Cubs or whether they are members of my family) to get vaccinated. The reason might be a simple one. It could be a complicated myriad of factors. Knowing them could be the difference between reaching herd immunity or not.

As I write this, Cubs just beat the Cardinals 8-5 at Wrigley Field in front of a full capacity crowd for the first time since 2019. Rizzo went 1 for 4 with a home run and is now batting .263 with 7 HR and 27 RBIs. With Wrigley Field full of fans perhaps Rizzo is thinking a life is back to normal and that he can carry on as if nothing ever happened. The Cubs might have won, Rizzo might have a good game and the worst of COVID-19 might be behind us but it is still a deadly disease. Things might not look so good at the end of the season. Maybe not for Rizzo but perhaps for someone he cares about. Or perhaps someone he doesn't even know.