Finding it difficult to cope with friends who have opposite opinions on covid? Anyone else?

[Pileonsally]

Not starting a covid thread really, this is more about friendships and different views.

I work in NHS and 2020 was horrific experience for me. I have had all my vaccinations and think its crazy that people haven't.

I've got a couple of good, long standing friends who are anti vax/covid deniers and whilst we have tried to agree to disagree and just avoid the subject I cant help feeling its really impacted on my view of them.
I do know that one of my friends feels so passionately the other way that he feels angry and upset about anyone who has had the vaccine. So I know it works both ways.

Anyway one of my friends just asked to meet up. I said I cant because I'm ill with covid and testing positive. My friend sent this text back 'haha you got covid! Thats hilarious! You have had all the jabs and still got it! Hahahaha'

Im so mad and offended and want to scream at his ignorance. I had the jabs knowing full well I could still get it.
I've ignored the text. There's no point arguing is there.

Its left me dead upset and mad tho. Been friends with this person for many years but not sure how I can get over that text reply.

Would you feel the same?

I would be seriously reconsidering whether to bother with a friendship with someone so thick, insensitive and twattishml.

Ditch !

Maybe time for some work on boundaries too as if someone fucker sent me that I would go nuclear

What an absolute tosser.
I’d message back..
“Glad you think me having Covid is funny. You’re a real gem of a friend.
But FYI, I’m less likely to end up in intensive care and put the NHS under unnecessary pressure, unlike ignorant unvaccinated twats like you”
Then block. You don’t need friends like that.

I don't think I could deal with that level of ignorance.

What a horrible text - not one I would think a friend could ever send. Dump the friend.

I don't think I'd be able to resist responding though - even if just for a 'what a horrible response to someone who is ill.'

They'd hopefully squirm.

It's not the fact that they're anti-vaxxers, it's not the fact they have differing opinions from you, it's the fact they're fully fledged nasty twats.

Are they really 'anti-vaxxers' or are they just people who don't want the covid vaccine? Surely if they were anti-vax, you'd have known before covid?

Not all friendships are supposed to last forever.

I'd definitely be calling time on that one.

No its just covid they are against? Don't believe in?

Your friends are entitled to whatever views they want.

But sending a text like that is just...words fail me really!

She sounds horrible and extremely childish.

I wouldn’t have the jabs in a million years but I would not laugh at someone who was ill, that’s the disturbing thing of their text.

I’m fortunate that none of our family and friends have a different opinion regarding this but if one did want to be vaccinated we would respect their choice despite our own personal views on not having them.

I think I would text back..

I can just about tolerate you having a different viewpoint/being a covid denier/being anti-vax. But I wont tolerate being a nasty cunt who taunts a so called friend who is ill

So there is having a different view and there is just being nasty IMO. I think he is being the latter.

I support everyone's right to choice. Strongly believe everyone should have the vaccine but certainly that no one should be forced to have it. However, I get the anger coming from the vaccinated towards the unvaccinated. What I struggle to get here is why would you be cross at someone being vaccinated when it really truly makes no difference to you! He doesn't sound like a very nice person and it's not really to do with the vaccine so much.

Covid has been the great divider .
I'm easy going and maje the right choices for me , I get just as irritated by the anti vax friends as I do with the lockdown lovers . I just keep quiet .

I have some anti vax friends who I just sort of ignore when I see their posts but I do understand their fear etc and a couple of them I know have medical horror stories that explain their mistrust and fear. That's a deeper and complex issue.

Having said that - they keep to themselves and are not snide to anyone else who is vaxxing.

However the message your "friend" sent to you is spiteful, cruel and out of order. I don't think my tolerance would stretch to that especially if they know you work for the NHS.

@Katieandthekids

So there is having a different view and there is just being nasty IMO. I think he is being the latter.

I support everyone's right to choice. Strongly believe everyone should have the vaccine but certainly that no one should be forced to have it. However, I get the anger coming from the vaccinated towards the unvaccinated. What I struggle to get here is why would you be cross at someone being vaccinated when it really truly makes no difference to you! He doesn't sound like a very nice person and it's not really to do with the vaccine so much.

Yes this - it's not about the vaccine it's about kicking someone when they are down!

The “friendship”would be over for me after this. Fair enough to hold the view, but to message you and say that while you are I’ll is just being an arsehole. I might be tempted to message back but it would no doubt just descend into an argument and what’s the point?

Ignore from now on.

Hope you feel better soon.

I have lost a very good friend over her anti vax stance, I can tolerate flaky but can’t do stupid. Your “friend” is a moron.

I’m against the Covid vaccine being forced upon us all, however I don’t treat my friends like a twat.
Your friend is a twat no matter what his opinions are. It’s his behaviour and treatment of you that’s not ok

I would have texted back asking why is she acting like this

Disgusting