Nurse DMIL refusing to get vaccinated

[RapunzelHadExtensions]

NC'd for this.

MIL, nurse, works in the hospital as a trainer, however often does overtime etc on wards.

She's VERY into healthy eating, exercise, vegan, and has refused to get the jab. Said she believes in the bodies power to fight virus itself. Doesn't take paracetamol etc as fever is good for the body to kill infection (I sort of see her point here but she is dead against it whatever the situation). She will often tell us our local hospital is fine and they're are only 2 cases, then the same day I see reports in our local paper saying they have upwards of 30+ and climbing deaths, that beds are nearly up to capacity.

I am really disappointed in her. She trains upwards of 30+ HCP's every day, all of whom then obviously go back to the wards.

Can she actually refuse? Is there anything I can do?

It's non of your business. It doesn't stop her transmitting the virus to others anyway so she's only endangering herself, leave her to it, get yours and keep your nose out. She's an adult!

What do you mean by “what can I do?” You can’t hold somebody down and force them to have a vaccination. As far as I understand, it isn’t known if the vaccine stops you from spreading Covid.

Can she actually refuse? Yes
Is there anything you can do? No
Her body her choice whether you agree with her or not

You can't do anything
She's a grown adult making her own choice

What do you mean can she refuse? Do you think she should be vaccinated against her consent?
She's an idiot but that's her choice.

May not... May not.... May not.... May not

And I don't think there's much you can do. Her employer may legitimately decide differently though!

I think it needs to be mandatory in certain professions. Over half of carers in the company I work for have refused the jab. They are absolutely putting elderly people at risk going into their homes.

i can sympathised OP, it is concerning if she is influencing trainees.
how can she work in a hosp with those views, it seems dishonest, and may undermine others' attitudes to vaccine, patients and staff.
she sounds to have aligned herself with some alternative health practitioners.
obviously there is nothing you can do directly. i don't think challenging her about it will help.
you could write to her superiors, but that would be tantamount to making a complaint, and would cause resentment in the family. better just continue safest practice and avoid her.

@CuriousaboutSamphire

May not... May not.... May not.... May not

And I don't think there's much you can do. Her employer may legitimately decide differently though!

So what if her employer does feel differently?

SeldomFollowedIt - how would making it mandatory work for pregnant women or people with allergies? The care sector is already short of 400,000? workers so where would they find new staff?

If she's very fit, slim and healthy, she's probably right that in her case she'll likely sail through.

Leave her to it.

And I will have the vaccine. I just think bodily autonomy is more important.

I think as times go on it will be made mandatory in certain professions. Carers etc. And while the vaccine may not stop you passing it on- it does stop you getting it and carrying on working if you are asymptotic.

I think some MNetters would wet themselves with glee if they were given jobs as volunteers holding people down to take a vaccination.

In my work experience those that are refusing it are the least educated staff members on the lowest wages and living in areas with highest rates.

it does stop you getting it and carrying on working if you are asymptotic

It really doesn't tho.

If she's very fit, slim and healthy, she's probably right that in her case she'll likely sail through.

That is all true, but she could pass it on to someone and kill them

It's entirely her choice there's nothing whatsoever you can do.

That is all true, but she could pass it on to someone and kill them

The vaccine doesn't stop that scenario happening

it does stop you getting it and carrying on working if you are asymptotic.

Eh? No, you can still catch it and pass it on and if you've had the vaccine you're MORE LIKELY TO BE ASYMPTOMATIC and therefore carrying on working!

Honestly, the logic some people come up with

None of your business. The vaccine "may" stop you getting severe symptoms.

The thing is the body doesn't necessarily have the power to fight this itself. It's worrying that someone in the medical profession doesn't understand how the virus works. It's of course her choice not to have it but she's in a vulnerable profession and her good health doesn't make her invulnerable.

Yes she can refuse.
No there's nothing you can do.

Meh, she's an educated woman, has likely seen exactly what coronavirus can do, and sheer probability alone means she'll likely be fine. If she's wrong them so be it, she wont be the last.

There's nothing you can do but equally you dont have to dedicate yourself to taking care of her long term if it all goes tits up.

@Greysparkles

That is all true, but she could pass it on to someone and kill them

The vaccine doesn't stop that scenario happening

Exactly this

I can't wait until I can get the vaccine but I understand the need for personal choice. People shouldn't be forced to have the vaccine.

This situation isn't new. Some care workers don't have the flu jab despite the flu being dangerous to elderly people. But, there is just more emotion surrounding the coronavirus vaccine.