Page 2 | My parents are Anti-Vax and think they are more clever

Malbecfan · 15/08/2021 13:49

OP, I feel for you. My sister is the same, even down to being a flat earther. Her sodding profile picture on FB is the flat earth society logo. My student DDs and I have chosen to ignore her friend requests on there, basically for the good of our mental health.

I had my elderly father living with me from March 2020 to April 2021. She was furious then snide about it. She lives abroad and for most of that time was not allowed back in the UK. She tried everything to dissuade DF from getting the vaccine and undermine or criticise us for shielding him. Luckily, despite his age, he is pretty sharp and instead asked my science-studying DDs what they thought. One explained how the vaccinations work and the other offered to drive him to the appointment. "D"Sis then started sending bollocks videos via WhatsApp of conspiracy-theorists calling people "muzzled" and "sheeple" and got really angry when I refused to pass them on to DF.

In the end, I have chosen to be very LC with her. The last contact directly was on Zoom for DF's birthday. One of my cousins was actually ill with Covid at the time - DSis's advice was antibiotics and oranges. My cousin is well-aware of what an idiot she is and ignored her. One of my DD's ripped into the advice and asked her for the evidence which of course she could not produce. My DF is sad about it all, but he understands why I won't engage with her. However, DF has asked to move back here for the next few months, so I must be doing something right.

Cornettoninja · 15/08/2021 13:58

@thisisthebestest I think there’s a clash in the use of language there. Any changes caused by a vaccine will occur quickly because by design they’re not active in the body long term. Changes may not be detected immediately but they will have happened within a short timeframe from taking the vaccine. It’s highly unlikely changes will remain undetected for years (for instance) before making themselves known.

So yes, there can absolutely be long term consequences from vaccines but there is a specific language around them because there is a time limit on how long a vaccine can actively be doing anything.

I remember a discussion here about the development of sterilising vaccine; some weren’t familiar with the terminology used and thought it was about the possibility of vaccines sterilising us from a fertility point of view when it was about sterilising the virus itself.

It might seem like semantics but there are times when people seem to be having different discussions using the same terminology.

The example of your friend ttc may be alarming and I’m aware that there are investigations into menstrual disturbances but if it is from the vaccine whatever caused it isn’t actively happening, it’s happened.

sst1234 · 15/08/2021 14:00

To be honest it’s hard not laugh at people still wearing masks. The rest is a bit OTT.

thelegohooverer · 15/08/2021 14:03

They believe that all vaccinated people will basically die soon due to effect and that the vaccination is being tested on us right now

The thought that the human population could be reduced to anti-vaxxers is a really strong argument for getting vaccinated imo. I’d rather not hang around if that’s the future.

pinkcircustop · 15/08/2021 14:07

I stop pushing them to get the vaccination because each time I have it ended in big arguments.

Clearly they are wrong, but you shouldn’t be pushing anyone to get medical interventions they aren’t comfortable with. It’s really none of your business.

Hopeisnotastrategy · 15/08/2021 14:09

@sst1234

To be honest it’s hard not laugh at people still wearing masks. The rest is a bit OTT.

I'm sure they'll have their reasons, as do I. Just leave them alone.

newnortherner111 · 15/08/2021 14:10

Given the comments, perhaps reduce or end all contact with them for a while.

pinkcircustop · 15/08/2021 14:11

@sst1234

To be honest it’s hard not laugh at people still wearing masks. The rest is a bit OTT.

Agreed. I pity them 🤷‍♀️

Cornettoninja · 15/08/2021 14:18

@pinkcircustop Your comment doesn’t really make sense to me, you laugh at people you pity? I don’t think pity is the word you’re after.

CatsArePeople · 15/08/2021 14:28

Ultimately its their choice.
If it bothers you just talk about something else.

Sugarplumfairy65 · 15/08/2021 14:39

@sst1234

To be honest it’s hard not laugh at people still wearing masks. The rest is a bit OTT.

Do you laugh at those people who are undergoing chemotherapy wearing a mask, or close family members of theirs who don't want to carry any viruses back to them?

SirVixofVixHall · 15/08/2021 14:50

@sst1234

To be honest it’s hard not laugh at people still wearing masks. The rest is a bit OTT.

Why would you laugh at people wearing masks ? Masks protect the wearer and others . Everyone I know with Covid recently has been double jabbed but some have still been pretty unwell. The higher the number of cases the more likely it is that another variant will emerge. Wearing masks in crowded places is a simple way to help limit spread, and is also a legal requirement in Wales in shops etc. To laugh at someone doing their best not to get ill and to help stop others getting ill ? You really think that is funny ?

thisisthebestest · 15/08/2021 14:53

[quote Cornettoninja]@thisisthebestest I think there’s a clash in the use of language there. Any changes caused by a vaccine will occur quickly because by design they’re not active in the body long term. Changes may not be detected immediately but they will have happened within a short timeframe from taking the vaccine. It’s highly unlikely changes will remain undetected for years (for instance) before making themselves known.

So yes, there can absolutely be long term consequences from vaccines but there is a specific language around them because there is a time limit on how long a vaccine can actively be doing anything.

I remember a discussion here about the development of sterilising vaccine; some weren’t familiar with the terminology used and thought it was about the possibility of vaccines sterilising us from a fertility point of view when it was about sterilising the virus itself.

It might seem like semantics but there are times when people seem to be having different discussions using the same terminology.

The example of your friend ttc may be alarming and I’m aware that there are investigations into menstrual disturbances but if it is from the vaccine whatever caused it isn’t actively happening, it’s happened.[/quote]
Small comfort for those who's fertility health has been compromised by the vaccine.
But as these side effects were not being monitored they don't exist (apart from in real life)

sociallydistained · 15/08/2021 14:54

A family member was anti vax too. Got coronavirus at a family wedding and died two weeks ago after suffering very badly with it for 2 weeks. I know this doesn’t help your problem but it’s just so frustrating isn’t it. There is no doubt his death would of been prevented if he was vaccinated.

FizzyPink · 15/08/2021 14:54

We have similar with FIL. He also firmly believes Prince Phillip died years ago and they’ve been using actors for his public appearances over the last couple of years before he “officially” died.

I honestly struggle to keep a straight face when he goes on about all these conspiracy theories. It’s hard to have an adult conversation.

CaveMum · 15/08/2021 14:55

There’s no point in arguing with people who have gone down a conspiracy theory rabbit hole, you can’t win. Whatever you say to them will be countered by “that’s what they want you to believe” type statements.

Highly recommend reading The Irrational Ape which talks about why people are susceptible to believing misinformation, etc.
www.amazon.co.uk/Irrational-Ape-Flawed-Critical-Thinking/dp/1471178250?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

PamDenick · 15/08/2021 14:56

Op, are you vaccinated?

CatsArePeople · 15/08/2021 15:18

To be honest it’s hard not laugh at people still wearing masks.

there is no need to be a dick. Let people be, if they feel more comfortable with their masks on.

Polkadots2021 · 15/08/2021 15:22

@Mikadua23

My parents are in their early 50s , both work and when covid first started my mum was first to go and wear face mask and buy boxes of antibac gels of from amazon.

Now... they think covid is basically a piece of shit made of story and they laugh at people who still wear masks or take the vaccine suggesting that the are the "clever ones" because they know more.
I guess it's easy for them to say and laugh when they haven't actually lost anyone due to covid(luckily) .....
I personally know friends who had lost their loved ones and my views are completely different.
I stop pushing them to get the vaccination because each time I have it ended in big arguments.
I had covid while being pregnant and seriously it was the worst 2 weeks of my life, luckily I didn't need to be hospitalised.

They aren't scientists or doctors and it passes me right off that they gather their knowledge from Google/Facebook and other ridiculous sources. 🙄

I want them to be safe.

They believe that all vaccinated people will basically die soon due to effect and that the vaccination is being tested on us right now.

I wouldn't care any longer about their views if not that every single thing that happens is seen as a covid vaccine side effect, for example - my auntie got lost last weekend, she basically got herself so drunk to the point she passed out and nobody was able to find her.
She was so drunk that she fell and slept on grass on the country side.
Whole family was very worried, she has been found safe after a good few hours however my parents put it down to Covid vaccine side effects and she had her jab 1 week before.

It is getting really ridiculous.
I just hate the little mean comments they make towards me or my husband trying to make a point to show us that we are worse than them for getting the vaccine or believing in covid.

Ugh.

I think you need to be blunt OP, that you are tired of the Covid related put downs and snide remarks and can they please stop it around you.

HunterGatherer · 15/08/2021 15:25

I think its admirable that you still want them to remain safe. If I had these awful relatives I think I genuinely wouldn't care what happened to them.
Flat earth...... right

Polkadots2021 · 15/08/2021 15:26

@sst1234

To be honest it’s hard not laugh at people still wearing masks. The rest is a bit OTT.

Why? They protect other people.

I never use social media, and get my info from only medical journals & reports. Wearing masks is sensible and thoughtful of others. You clearly get your info from social media because you're on a 'team', one that insults other people that don't think exactly like you. Social media is no place for getting any information other than photos of your cousin's baby and updates about people's cats. Politics and serious health information just gets bastardised on there and everything goes to pot.

GrannyWeatherwaxsHatpin · 15/08/2021 15:57

I feel your pain. The smugness is just the shitty cherry on a piss-poor cake.

Mine swear blind they’ve “done their research” but it’s clear from the briefest of questions that they’ve only looked at stuff that matches their existing opinions. I, too, want my parents to be safe but the disappointment in their behaviour has deeply affected how I feel about them, almost as if I don’t know who they are anymore. They will bring up the topic if they can, to “make their point” yet again, so I’ve added it to the ever-growing list of topics to avoid which just makes a strained relationship even worse.

because it’s such a crap situation.

aerosocks · 15/08/2021 16:01

You can't argue with stupid.

That's it basically. Just don't bother talking to them about it. A friend of mine was like this, really cynical and didn't believe in having the vaccine, mask-wearing etc. Until his next-door-neighbour caught Covid and died. They'd been really good friends and he was devastated.
He's really careful now.

OnlyMsLonely · 15/08/2021 16:02

They believe that all vaccinated people will basically die soon due to effect and that the vaccination is being tested on us right now

I have one of these in my family and my response is "well that's ok then because that's about 4 billion people globally, so all you 'clever' people left behind will be free to pat yourselves on the back about how well you've done"

loobylou10 · 15/08/2021 16:07

@sst1234

sst1234
To be honest it’s hard not laugh at people still wearing masks. The rest is a bit OTT.

Im sorry but why would you laugh at people wearing masks? Genuine question ....?