I suppose everyone knows, but I have to say it again: Not all anti-COVID-vaxxers are Trumpers.

[RockRaven]

Unfortunately some are Democrats. I gotta vent about this for a minute.

I was rudely reminded of this tonight when I heard second-hand (I'm not on FB or any of its subsidiaries) that a relative (cousin-ish in degree of relation, but an in-law with whom I am not close) posted some "mRNA vaccine is gonna change your DNA" bullshit on FB.

I wasn't surprised. I just hoped wouldn't hear this. It was a long shot, yet I hoped anyway. Disappointed, inevitably.

This person is liberal, progressive, or downright hippy-ish by most other metrics. Totally open and non-judgmental on race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, religion, etc. Pro childhood education and enrichment. Pro universal healthcare. Pro social safety net. Pro union/labor rights. Uber environmentalist.

But antivaxx. And not just in this instance. Was a "too much too soon"er when it came to their kids, years ago. Justified their position with naturalistic fallacies and their undergraduate biology degree (which hadn't been put to practical use since graduating, except this tragic misapplication a la "a little knowledge into a dangerous thing" ).

Our society needs a "IDGAF what party you belong to, you've got a social obligation to fulfill" behavioral standard when it comes to vaccines, but there's no easy way to get that implemented when Repukes adopt oppositional-defiance as a central party platform AND we're undermined from within.

[Progressive Jones]

1. I have a handful of Millennials who I supervise at work. There is much anti-vax sentiment

among them. They are about 60% Liberal/Progressive/Democrat, etc., and 40% to the right, with half of that 40% being Trumpish.

Some are concerned about the vax being "too new, and potentially unsafe".

Others are straight up nuts who believe in the "chip" theories, and fear "DNA rearrangement".
One guy is worried that it's a "slow working poison that will kill us off many months from now." Direct quote. I even asked him to repeat it. I couldn't believe my ears at first.

[Claire Oh Nette]

2. mRNA / dna

Ask them to help you understand the vaccine problem better, "Y' know, I get confused about how RNA and DNA work. Would you remind me? Biology was so long ago..."

Derp

[Progressive Jones]

4. LOL !!! nt

[MerryHolidays]

3. I have less concern at the moment about the COVID anti-vaxxers

What I am super-concerned about is anyone who does not wear a mask indoors and does not socially distance in/outdoors. Those are the truly awful people.

Right now, all covid vaccines in the US "only" have an Emergency Use Authorization (or EUA) from the US FDA. I can see why there might be vaccine hesitancy by some, regardless of party affiliation, on that basis alone. However, failing to take the available vaccines coupled with anti-masking/anti-distancing is tantamount to murder.

I cannot wait until the vaccines get full FDA approval. I hope then that getting vaccinated will become a REQUIREMENT. It certainly should be for every government employee, everyone in the military, every teacher, every student, and any person involved in healthcare delivery, at the very minimum.

[Progressive Jones]

5. Agreed on the requirement. nt

[Demobrat]

6. I know a couple of anti-vaxxers.

Both are male boomers. Neither are Republicans. One has no interest in politics and doesn’t vote. One prides himself on being a progressive.

When it comes down to it, they are not getting vaccinated because it’s inconvenient and they don’t like shots. It’s that simple and that stupid.

They wear masks because here in the San Francisco Bay Area you pretty much can’t go anywhere without them. They think that’s enough.

[SCantiGOP]

9. They're stupid both ways

They endanger themselves, and they endanger others.

[Claire Oh Nette]

10. They're afraid of needles.

Excoriate them

This is why their mamas vaccinated their asses as babies. Too bad their mommas raised babies instead of raising men.

[ansible]

7. There used to be quite a vocal anti-vaccine group here on DU too

[MerryHolidays]

8. Really? I actually never came across that here

Do you have any posts as an example?

[GulfCoast66]

16. Oh there were. I joined in either late 15 or early 16.

They were here. Don’t see them anymore. I assume that those ideas are no longer allow. Fact based site, you know. My favorite thing about DU.

[Raine]

18. I wouldn't call them anti-vaxxers but they were into natural health

and homeopathic alternative medicine.

[Hekate]

20. Been here since 2002. There was a small but vocal coterie I used to do battle with...

Would you like to see photos of smallpox or polio victims? Would you like firsthand accounts of the effects of the last great polio epidemic?

Really, they didn’t like me. But it was before your time.

[obamanut2012]

28. Oh, a rather large minority, and most long-time posters

Some are still posting here, but they keep this stuff on the DL now.

[bullwinkle428]

29. There are at least 3 or 4 current, regular posters who certainly come across

as "vaccine skeptics" at the very least, if not outright anti-vaxxers.

[Raine]

11. I know several and they are NOT Trumpers and they are NOT anti-vaxxers but liberal

Democrats. They have concerns about this vaccine, the long term as yet unknown lasting effects and side effects now from a vaccine that is not FDA approved.

[FakeNoose]

31. The long-term effects of Covid are so much greater

... than any vaccine could possibly be.

I agree that last year we didn't know, it was all untested. The "anti-vaxxers" were right to be skeptical a year ago. They can't say that now, the vaccines have been tested and found safe.

[Tree Lady]

12. Granddaughter's boyfriend is waiting a year

To see the effects, he is 22. She is waiting too because she just had a baby.

I tried to talk to him but he is waiting and he works in large Amazon warehouse so he is taking risks.

They are both progressive politically.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

13. The only even remotely reasonable complaint is 'how new it is', and even that's a stretch

It's not like vaccine tech in general is some new thing, and they all work basically the same way

The doctor that gave me my second shot got his 2 vaccine shots in JULY 2020, he was one of the first 15K in the country to get it.

He's still very much fine, and alive.

It's not really as new as some people think, and there's no such thing as a poison that takes 10 months to take affect. There's just not.

Some people, I swear to Dog

[Jakes Progress]

14. Cue Forest. "Stupid is as stupid does."

[AlexSFCA]

15. employers and schools vaccine mandate is the ONLY way to herd immunity

let’s not pretend otherwise. The moment vaccine gains full approval. All large employers, service industry, government (incl. military), colleges, etc. will need to require proof of covid vaccination. For those who have exemptions (1% or less?) - mandatory routine testing. Anyone refusing covid vaccine is a threat to national security.
FYI, religious exemptions from immunization are notoriously high bar to prove in court, one would need to demonstrate consistency in their “religion” application in other aspects of life (hint: such people don’t exist).

[Nululu]

17. Antivaxxers are ignorant jackasses

[OnDoutside]

19. If you think that is bad, my brother in law, who himself is a Professor

of Microbiology, was being treated for something that his consultant colleague suggested could have been vaccine related, and that the guy himself wouldn't take the mRNA one because it's "too soon". They're everywhere.

[OhioChick]

21. I agree, we can't only blame GOP voters, it's our side, too.....

I live in a Blue County with plenty of big hospitals in the area who say Vaccine hesitancy is stalling our fight against COVID-19.

Furthermore, In order for us to reach herd immunity, 70% to 85% of the population will need to be vaccinated first. Addressing vaccine misinformation and uncertainty is now a hurdle we’ll need to clear before the pandemic can officially end.

If more don't get vaccinated, we're screwed, plain and simple.

[meadowlander]

22. I'm not an anti-vaxxer but I have to say I wasn't going to be the first to put my hand up

to take a vaccine rushed through development under the supervision of the Trump administration.

I'm planning to get it as soon as it's available where I live because I trust Dr Fauci's recommendations and the data coming out of Israel and the UK.

But I can see how a non-Trump supporter could get to a position of at least vaccine hesitancy on the basis that it hasn't gone through the full testing that it might have done if it wasn't being developed in the middle of a pandemic with such devastating effects.

[OhioChick]

23. I was the first to put my hand up......

I'd rather take my chances with a vaccine than being on a vent, ECMO or dying a miserable death.

I hear about deaths in detail daily and it's a horrific way to die.

[Behind the Aegis]

24. The classic "No Scotsman" fallacy

I see it with a variety of topics, so it is not surprising this is also one.

[John Ludi]

25. I live

not too far from a town called Viroqua in SW Wisconsin...it's a fading new age vortex that attracts some of the most "interesting" people...MANY of whom went from "we are all one" to QAnon practically overnight, and the antivax sentiments are part of their whole shtick. I have nicknamed it Dysfunction Junction. The place made a hermit out of me.

[usedtobedemgurl]

27. I Was Not Sure I Wanted The Vaccine...

I am needle phobic, and I felt it was too new to know everything. I posted, here, asking everyone to help convince me. Maybe that was a poor choice of words. Maybe I should have asked people to educate me.

I got some caustic responses, saying I was an adult and it was not their job to convince me. Most people were great. They educated me, pointed out reasons I should get the shots and encouraged me. I got my second shot last Monday!!!

The thing about those people totally brushing me off, it could have turned me off, and I could have refused to do anything. With my phobia, that would have been so much easier. They also overlooked the fact some Dems are as hesitant as I was, and others browse this board. Those people would probably read the thread if they were on the cusp. Those people had a chance to present some good information, but chose to be flippant instead.

I was grateful for how nice most people were. I had no idea how many years scientists were working on these things. I could not look it up, because I thought I knew it was emergency approved, so it must be new. I was wrong. I wanted to learn. I did not know what I did not know.

I will forever be grateful for the information and support DU gave me. Some people can be reached, but maybe not if we tell them they are adults and to figure it out themselves.

[leftyladyfrommo]

30. I know people like that. I just decided we all have our

Quirks.

I am in KCMO and it seems like attitudes toward the vaccines are loosening up. Everybody I know has had shots. A lot of people who waited are getting them now that they have seen the results.

[Klaralven]

32. It's a personality type - those who think the History Channel is historical; Discovery is scientific