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Does the anti vax drama affect you?

197 replies

Onthegrapevine · 06/06/2021 10:29

I am seeing more and more videos surfacing from anti vax folk along laughing and joking about the vaccinated being dead within the year amongst other things.

When the conspiracy theories started when there was first talk of a vaccine I honestly laughed it off, but over a year in and now I’m double jabbed it’s getting to me.

It feels like such a divide between “us and them.” Some anti vax are now claiming they are looking to “protect people” and that’s why they are “educating us.”

Prior to Covid I was aware of the conspiracy theories surrounding the flu jab etc, my own midwife even said she was “on the fence” about the flu jab when I asked when I should have mine. But those conspiracies were very sporadic and I didn’t feel bombarded with them in the way I do covid.

These are so loud, and they are everywhere.

Is anyone else feeling the same?

OP posts:
strangeshapedpotato · 06/06/2021 11:37

The simple fact of the matter is that people who deny vaccines are denying others their right to a safer existence, in EXACTLY the same way a drunk driver does.

The hogwash about, "the vulnerable being vaccinated so what's the problem" simply shows a complete ignorance of the issue - in particular the fact that vaccines have very very low efficacy in many CEV, largely because they rely on a well functioning immune system.

As for why anti-vaxxers spread videos like this. It's quite simple - attention. It's how all conspiracy theories develop. Someone wants attention, so they make some shit up. They get others to believe it, which makes them feel powerful. After a while, enough believe this level of shit, so someone makes up something more ridiculous etc etc

The main problem is that often on SM, there are few people arguing against them. Most people would rather ignore and avoid confrontation, so the poison continues to spread.

Personally, I can understand some people, for various reasons not getting vaccinated. The fear is quite understandable.

What I can never condone is those who with zero scientific or medical knowledge, actively campaign against the testimony of the world's experts. Again, part of the reason WHY they do it, is attention, but they are very, very dangerous people and I think this point is often lost.

A neighbour of my mothers lost her life because of someone who persuaded her NOT to get a diagnosis for a medical problem. So instead she took pointless supplements. 6 months later, deteriorating, she got properly diagnosed - it was cancer - treatable if caught in time, but it was too late.

Sparklingbrook · 06/06/2021 11:39

@loulouljh

Just read above "cult-like". That sums it up really well. People with the vaccine talking about it constantly. being overjoyed, putting it onto their status, with a sticker. I find it all so very odd and indeed cult-like.
I haven't seen much of that lately. I don't think the people having the jab are cult like as that suggests a minority which they're not.
strangeshapedpotato · 06/06/2021 11:39

@pinkearedcow

Wakefield has done very well for himself financially since inventing bogus data to claim a link between vaccines and autism.

That's the attraction for many of the "leaders" of these cults - the financial rewards are often much more lucrative than a career in medicine or science, and without the hard work involved.

TillyTopper · 06/06/2021 11:43

It doesn't affect me at all to be honest! I don't bother with social media much as I think a lot of it is a pile of wank and a lot of people going "look at me aren't I funny/clever/intelligent/whatever". My advice would be to get off it if it's getting to you. You can't stop them posting, you can't stop the algorithms selecting stuff for you... but you can stop watching.

Parker231 · 06/06/2021 11:44

I don’t know any anti vaxxers in real life. My friends and family are all very positive about the Covid vaccinations. I’ve only read on Mn of those refusing the vaccine. I think anti vaxxers shout loudly on social media as they are desperate to be hear and no one is listening (quite rightly) to them. I think anti vaxxers are ridiculous.

NeverDropYourMoonCup · 06/06/2021 11:44

The moment antivaxx bollocks started polluting my YouTube feed (my own fault, I watched a few US mom bloggers), I selected the don't recommend channel option to get them to fuck right off out of my algorithm.

I got approached by a man berating me for having a mask with me at a bus stop in a isolated area instead. Tosser was younger and clearly stronger and fitter than me. Couldn't tell him to fuck right off because there wasn't another soul around to help if he had decided to batter me in response.

SallyBasingstoke · 06/06/2021 11:45

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MarshaBradyo · 06/06/2021 11:50

I don’t know any irl and haven’t seen the videos, which admittedly sound awful

Amirite · 06/06/2021 11:51

I’ve not had the jab but hate being lumped in with the anti-vaccine crowd. My kids and I have had every other jab going. I just don’t feel right about taking this one just yet… had a catch up with some friends yesterday and they did not care I did not have mine and equally I do not care or judge them having theirs. It was fab seeing them and not having to worry about this as it was on my mind a bit before. Never should have doubted them Halo

AccidentallyOnPurpose · 06/06/2021 11:56

Nope.

There are people who won't have this particular vaccine but aren't anti vaxxers. I understand their position and reasons so no issues there.

Proper anti vaxxers I just ignore, just like I do flat earthers, reptilian believers or whatever else.

I think the pro vaccine crowd has done massive damage by branding everyone with concerns about the covid vaccine an anti vaxxer and shutting/shouting them down.

TheClaws · 06/06/2021 11:56

Were they? I think this is made up nonsense as the majority of unvaccinated people aren't worried about covid and view it as a mild illness for the vast majority of people whilst supporting those who are vulnerable/ more worried to make their own decisions. The implication that most unvaccinated people are calling for people to be locked away is a lie used to demonise a group who don't want the vaccine

You missed the point, Sally. A good amount of those unvaccinated are anti-vaxxers. They were also likely the people calling for the vulnerable to stay in their homes while everyone else lived their lives. From the posts I've read on MN, elsewhere, and my own experience - this is not made up nonsense.

SallyBasingstoke · 06/06/2021 12:04

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bruffin · 06/06/2021 12:15

@pinkearedcow

I second bruffin. Watch that documentary. It shows how there is a lot of money to be made out of recruiting people into the anti-vax movemenT.
Its ironic isnt considering a lot of the antivax arguement is based on big pharma making money from vaccines. Andrew wakefield was paid £435,000 by lawyers to prove mmr caused autism,
PetuniaPot · 06/06/2021 12:16

I know one person who is umming and ahhing and turned down their vaccination so far but they aren't ruling it out type of thing.
They did already have covid last year so maybe that's part of it.
They do watch a lot of anti lockdown media and did talk about that A LOT though so possibly a social media influence there too.
But otherwise no one. My family and immediate friends don't do a lot of social media.

User135644 · 06/06/2021 12:16

@Myusernameisnotmyusernameno

Yes my so called best friend has turned into an anti lockdown, anti vaccine nightmare and she 'likes' a lot of stuff like this on Twitter. I feel like she thinks this way about me. She has become someone I don't recognise. When she's actually speaking to me because I committed the criMe of following 'the rules' a fraction more than she Hmm
Where does she think we'd be right now without the vaccines?
Ostara212 · 06/06/2021 12:26

[quote Onthegrapevine]@pinkearedcow every other video I see on various social media apps is anti vax. The algorithm probably picking them up as I’ve googled “covid cases today.” Hmm I should delete them all really! Terrible for mental health.[/quote]
These all disappear if you limit your time and searches on social media.

skyvv90 · 06/06/2021 12:28

Never cared about the opinions of extremist nutters before, not gonna start now.

Justecelaoui · 06/06/2021 12:41

Laughing about people being dead for whatever reason is wrong, even jokingly. That said, I am against these covid vaccines. Novel disease requires novel vaccines, yeah I'll give it a pass

frozendaisy · 06/06/2021 12:46

If there was a big conspiracy the amount of people who would have to keep quiet is unimaginable.

TheClaws · 06/06/2021 12:55

Many anti vaxxers are fiercely pro free choice even if it is misguided ...

You summed it up beautifully there, Sally.

TeddingtonTrashbag · 06/06/2021 12:58

These all disappear if you limit your time and searches on social media
Agree- just don’t give them the brainspace.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 06/06/2021 12:59

@SallyBasingstoke anti vaxxers don't bother me but most of the ones I've seen are trying to discourage people from having the vaccine, calling them "sheep", etc. One woman told me not to have it because it will make me infertile.

Do want you want but don't force your batshit conspiracy theories onto others.

MarshaBradyo · 06/06/2021 13:00

@TeddingtonTrashbag

These all disappear if you limit your time and searches on social media Agree- just don’t give them the brainspace.
I agree plus the more you watch it the more you’ll get the topic

The people doing the videos are just creating click bait / looking for attention so just avoid

WingingIt101 · 06/06/2021 13:07

I am double jabbed and only one person I know is anti vax. Daughter of family friends, same age as me (30s).

Initially she would share the odd thing on her Instagram until It ramped up to multiple posts daily and more and more aggressive and horrible toward any “sheep” who took the jab.
At first I wasn’t bothered - we have different opinions and I think she’s overreacting but so be it. I don’t feel the need to be nasty so scroll on by. But as it got more prolific and shocking I just didn’t want to see it. It didn’t make me question my choice to have the jab, just feel really attacked and as though she were calling me stupid / ignorant etc. I didn’t feel the need to be attacked for a personal choice when I’m mindlessly scrolling cat videos.

She then moved to Facebook with it (she wasn’t doing it previously there and can only assume many like me blocked her and she ran out of audience)

My opinion is the jab is a good thing. It’s passed safety testing and keeping serious illness and death at bay for the vast majority of people. If others don’t want it then so be it; personally I think it’s irresponsible at the surface level as being vaccinated doesn’t only protect you it protects others too, BUT I don’t know other peoples personal circumstances and I believe in bodily autonomy. But I also think if you choose not to have it for anything other than a medical reason (ie doctors advice that you’d be exposed to greater risk by having it) then if vaccine passports come in you can’t really complain! It’s such a complex issue but yes in answer to your question I did feel differently and attacked so I now remove them!

bruffin · 06/06/2021 14:27

Its another irony of antivaxxers, they are more sheep like than anyone. They just repeat antivaxx nonsense which make no sense if you take a minute to investigate or even think about it
They just repeat the same old nonsense and whatever the latest fad is ie mercury or aluminium.