My wife was hospitalized with covid after getting the first vaccination. I had to get both before I could enter the hospital to visit. I figured we were older and had existing health issues, so got the shot. I got covid anyway later. I do not think I would get them again. Hindsight is 20/20. Yes, we knew people who died. One couple in their 80s who lived in a nursing home both died the same day. Our family has several in the medical field. Those who worked in hospitals saw deaths every day. Months after covid hit, they had a big celebration at the hospital when the first person who had been intubated was able to be discharged. WHY? Because everyone who had to be intubated prior to this patient had died in the hospital.
It was a serious health threat.
The origin and the masks and all the bullshit promises for the vaccine -- well, that's another story. There a lot of people who should be arrested, jailed, or even executed, ie, all those who conspired to "create" this virus and release it on humanity, and all those who made millions on it.