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* Are you having any trouble convincing family and/or friends to get vaccinated? Explain to us how you’re dealing with it.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 2:32 pm
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Nope. Everyone under my roof has had two jabs, except my 14 year old who got his first one last Sunday. I’ve quit trying with my sister and the handful of friends on team VaxDeny. I’ll talk to them again when they come to their senses.
Comment by Dysfunction Junction Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 2:40 pm
My dad was reluctant for a while because he was real big on the “I’m not freaking out about this thing” messaging from the past year. I addressed it by emphasizing how easy it was. I think he finally decided to get it after hearing all of the other older relatives at a family event talking about getting it. I guess relatability helps…
Comment by NIU Grad Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 2:42 pm
Nope, everyone in the family tree (except kids too young) has happily gotten the shots.
Comment by Bruce( no not him) Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 2:42 pm
In an earlier post I discussed my weekend “discussion”
The local immediate family, all are vaccinated, both shots, beyond two weeks.
===I had this same discussion this weekend, family member, ironically not a Trumpkin but has “real issues” with the virus and its handling.===
They feel… they don’t see “me” other family, “my body, my choice”… not a fan of Trump in any fashion, just tough to convince the “quick science” and this virus (that they do believe, at least, it’s a real thing), the odds are “with them”
They didn’t mock any in the family that got the shots, so that has been great.
They are a lost cause.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 2:48 pm
I was with the primary excuse the vaccine allowed a person no more freedom than an unvaccinated person. Now with the mask requirements generally lifted for the vaccinated many formerly reluctant family and friends are getting their shots. It’s real progress.
Comment by Bob Meter Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 2:50 pm
I tried to convince a friend to get the shot. He got a mild case of COVID 8 months ago. He said his doctor told him not to get the vaccine since he already got COVID. So, I just shut my mouth.
Comment by 2nd Ward Sage Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 3:01 pm
Immediate family minus the under-12 crowd are all microchipped. And to my knowledge all of the in-laws are as well.
The rest of my family is from the eastern bloc so I haven’t even bothered to inquire because I already know the answer
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 3:01 pm
One friend was ok with vaxing lazy - needed some badgering.
Comment by lake county democrat Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 3:04 pm
Not one bit because it is so important, and frankly so little effort. There’s really no reason not to get the vaccine even if you (wrongly) think covid is no big deal. Those who are eligible truly have to mix politics into their thinking to end up on the other side of this decision.
Comment by Jibba Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 3:08 pm
I simply state I believe in the science and explain they should reconsider. That approach is not successful.
Comment by flea Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 3:10 pm
As an aside. My local school district held a vaccine clinic yesterday and I was quite pleased at the turnout. Happy for it.
Everyone but my Brother-in-Law and his wife are vaccinated. We try not to talk about it too much but they are both proudly MAGA. We just say that we are and gladly got it as soon as we could. They poke fun of us for being vaccinated more than we ever bring up their status.
If fact they seem far more obsessed with our views on health and politics than we do of theirs…
Comment by Cool Papa Bell Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 3:13 pm
Some insist on the J & J which I’m for. One and done although yeah there’s been some publicized complications.
Comment by Levois J Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 3:13 pm
Nope. Everyone I know has scrambled to get access to the vaccine, even driving from the Chicago area to points distant across Illinois.
Comment by Ashland Adam Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 3:16 pm
I am getting married in less than a month in a border town in Iowa where my fiancé is originally from. We’re not directly asking people whether they have been vaccinated but we know, either though them voluntarily telling us, telling our families, or posting to the world on social media, that at least 74% of the adults attending the wedding are vaccinated. It’s 90% on my (the Illinois) side and 67% on her (the Iowa) side.
The unvaccinated seem to fall into four categories, all about the same size:
1.) had COVID, think they have antibodies and don’t need the vaccine;
2.) pregnant or trying, worried about the vaccine’s effects;
3.) under 35 and don’t think they need the vaccine;
4.) anti-vaxxers.
The last group includes some very close family members, so we can’t exclude them from the wedding without major issues. The rest are just frustrating. Just going to tell folks that the dance floor is only open to two types of folks: the fully vaxxed or fully masked.
Comment by FPMIV Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 3:30 pm
I know plenty who are refusing to get it including one in my household. Mostly people who subscribe to conspiracy theories and/or right wing ideology.
Comment by Now I’m down in it. Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 3:30 pm
Had a friend who wasn’t going to get it until today’s announcement that Lollapalooza was going to require it or negative tests. Just crazy to me THAT’S what finally got him on board but I guess whatever works.
Comment by Former Bartender Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 3:31 pm
Family and most close friends got vaxxed as soon as they could. But my 6 member “Girl’s Night Out Group” was trying to schedule our first get together since the brief opening last summer, and discovered 2 weren’t vaccinated. One had an appointment, but the other started texting things like “follow the science, not Fauci,” “cover your cough and you’ll be fine” etc. Some of us tried to tell her about personal/family experiences with COVID to change her mind, to no avail.
She ended with “I can’t believe some of my smartest friends believe this” and demanded to be taken off of the group chat. It appears our 20 year friendship may be over. She was always the slightly right-wingy outlier in a group of moderates and liberals, but her severe reaction surprised us. Disappointing and sad.
Comment by Leslie K Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 3:33 pm
A crazy reclusive uncle won’t get vaccinated. But I say ‘oh well.’ He never goes anywhere or does anything. He used to be very quiet and mild mannered. Now all he does is complain about Joe Biden. He didn’t get any stimulus checks because he hasn’t filed a tax return in 20 years (even though he seasonally works, apparently for cash). All he would have to do is go online and fill out a form or file a tax return, but refuses to do so. That is Biden’s fault too. He says he didn’t get his stimulus because, “I am the wrong color.” He is white, by the way. He also complains his social security is hardly anything. Yeah dude, because you didn’t pay your FICA when you did work. He’s a piece of work. But he has brought us so much private joy and inside jokes. So we love him anyway.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 3:36 pm
I have two friends that are doctors that said they are not and are encouraging their friends and family not to do it. They think that drugs/vaccines are created methodically over time for a reason and will not “experiment” with something so untested.
There is no discussion or convincing.
Comment by Lurker Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 3:37 pm
The only barriers for my relatives were getting through the bureaucracy to schedule vaccines.
Comment by Rich Hill Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 3:39 pm
Struggling with those who have had COVID and aren’t wanting the shot. It would be helpful if the medical sector would address this. Instead, the feds and meds seem to be ignoring those who have survived the virus and just keep pushing a shot - that might not be needed?
Comment by MamaMusings Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 3:41 pm
===It appears our 20 year friendship may be over.===
For me, started with Rauner, then Trump, and finally a global pandemic not seen for 100 years.
The people I’ve dropped since 2014 who are still wholly engulfed in their own “truth and facts” without any irony to things… shocking.
The masking and vaccination part has been far more interesting as those whom I still communicate with (or more, as family and good friends can agree to disagree and not make litmus tests or force beliefs) but now are anti-vaccine, the small few of them have had, in common, this belief of an unknown to the vaccine and its long term to a body… these others are at least glad for us whom decided to get vaccinated, and respect that without angst or anger about it.
Still, since 2014, lots of lost people, but picked up far more and found deeper connections to others I never had.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 3:42 pm
All good in my family my brother waited for J & J but he’s good now. My wife has a sister who’s low key refusing to get it, she doesn’t fuss just isn’t doing it. I am not saying a word about it because i see no benefit to Marital bliss by getting involved in her family dynamics.
Her sister is a principal so it shouldn’t be lack of Education.
Comment by Mason born Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 3:45 pm
I have two people close to me who refuse. One is a long-time anti-vax crazy of the RFK variety. Her kids got no vaxxes and she claimed philosophical exemption to get them in school. Lost cause, discussion devolves into her screaming about “weaponizing vaccines”.
The second is more concerning. Smart pharmacist, very health conscious. He understands that the covid vax trials were just as extensive as other vax (shingrix) but hates the short time period - he is worried about long term effects that would show up in a “due course” trial after several years. Since he is relatively low risk for Covid (healthy under 60), he says he won’t take vax. After long discussion, we’ve concluded that he is incredibly selfish and gives no weight to the public health/societal benefit - its only about him. While I can accept his decision logically, it saddens me that somebody I care about is so selfish - refuses to take an admittedly infintesimal risk to help others.
Other stressful thing — both say the will not wear masks anymore. They claim its discrimination.
Comment by WestBurbs Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 3:50 pm
My sibs and I all got our shots as soon as we could. My friends have done the same.
Comment by JoanP Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 3:51 pm
=== The people I’ve dropped…===
… after I’ve tried 5-6 times to reach out and hear nothing, I think they aren’t coming back.
===Explain to us how you’re dealing with it.===
What worked with older family is talking about their “doctor visits” for any and all ailments, drugs they are taking, and they are also screened and approved by the FDA/CDC as well, so trust in their other drugs was a good lane, worked on 2 of them.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 4:00 pm
Yes, I know several friends/acquaintances who are afraid of potential long-term side effects that we don’t yet know of. To me, that’s the most convincing reason not to get vaccinated, since the potential issues we do know of are rare and mostly not too serious. But they are correct that we don’t know if there could be some issue 5, 10, 20 years down the road.
What I try to say to such people is to validate their concerns - you’re right, we don’t know if there could be such effects.
But consider the alternative - you never get vaccinated, then what? What if you get COVID, and then experience long hauler syndrome? Or what if it turns out that people who get COVID could have negative consequences years later (much as those who had Chicken Pox can later develop Shingles)?
There’s a lot we don’t know, but I would much rather risk potential harm from the vaccine than potential harm from COVID. Just on a personal level about what’s best for me, the vaccine makes a lot more sense.
Add on the fact that the more people who get vaccinated, the more we can slow the spread and slow mutations, and there’s that much more incentive to get the vaccine.
Comment by Techie Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 4:10 pm
Not to stereotype, but everyone in my family who is college educated is fully vaccinated.
Everyone in my family that actively follows NASCAR and has at least one flavor of mountain dew in their fridge is adamantly against government-mandated poison in their veins. This latter group includes my xenophobic retired UAW uncle and several adult cousins who live with their parents.
Comment by sulla Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 4:16 pm
==Struggling with those who have had COVID and aren’t wanting the shot. It would be helpful if the medical sector would address this. Instead, the feds and meds seem to be ignoring those who have survived the virus and just keep pushing a shot - that might not be needed? ==
The CDC has addressed this.
From the CDC web site COVID FAQ page:
“Yes, you should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19. That’s because experts do not yet know how long you are protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. Even if you have already recovered from COVID-19, it is possible—although rare—that you could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 again.”
From the CDC Benefits of getting vaccinated page:
“Getting COVID-19 may offer some protection, known as natural immunity. Current evidence suggests that reinfection with the virus that causes COVID-19 is uncommon in the months after initial infection, but may increase with time. The risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 far outweighs any benefits of natural immunity.”
Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 4:58 pm
Yes, son & family say they aren’t going to get it. We’ve given up trying to talk them into it. They haven’t gotten it yet, and he’s been working fulltime and the grandkids have been in school whenever in-school was allowed.
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 5:03 pm
All close family got vaxxed as soon as possible. Some of son-in-law’s family refuse, but their choice. They are strong MAGAs, not worth arguing.
Comment by zatoichi Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 5:31 pm
I am the only one in my immediate family and most of the extended family to get vaccinated (except both of my grandmas). A lot of my family fell for the QAnon conspiracy theories so getting them to trust the vaccine just is not happening. A few might but they are worried about side effects and are holding out.
Comment by Newcomer Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 6:30 pm
Most of the fam and friends got vaccinated thankfully, so I didn’t have to try to convince them. The few who didn’t made it clear they don’t want the vaccine. Some don’t believe in vaccines or think they’re dangerous. At that point it’s off limits for me. If I want to get in the persuasion game I’d rather help those who would get the vaccine but haven’t yet.
Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 7:38 pm
@Leslie - I’m sorry for your loss, and to those here who have struggled with family and friends who have pushed themselves away.
It’s happened to my on my wife’s side of the family - her parents are generally lost to us. We do spend time with them and we are pleasant with each other but its’ a labored visit each time.
They are vaccinated (mostly because we said there would be no way we would see them with their only grandkids if they didn’t) but everything else has turned into a conspiracy. It’s been heart breaking for my wife and tough on me. They still hold resentments for polite conservations about Obama in 2006.
It’s going to go down as one of the great shames of our time. 40 years from now there will a documentary on these years where people took sides, became brain washed and believed in all this stuff (being polite).
My heart can be heavy at times.
Comment by Cool Papa Bell Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 8:59 pm
I wouldn’t say trouble exactly. Nothing that I say will change anybody’s behavior.
Two sisters are “working too hard to take time off” but plan to get it someday.
One sister has gotten her first shot.
One sister had covid and claims she doesn’t need a vaccine.
Two brothers have gotten their first shots.
One brother is a mask hole and never will.
One brother I haven’t asked, but he also had covid.
To a significant extent, once the vaccines became widely available, my siblings did the right thing.
Comment by Odysseus Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 9:04 pm
So thrilled to report that my conservative family from the Eastern Bloc all vaccinated except for one brother who can’t be told anything. He’s done his “research” and is full out MAGA. It helps they don’t have cable so FOXitis isn’t an issue. And also my dad had rheumatic fever as a kid that paralyzed him for a bit during the middle of the polio epidemic. So that will make you believe in public health for life. So there wasn’t a bit of hesitancy on both social isolating and following guidance and getting vaccinated. My dad is pretty MAGA but very confused why anyone wouldn’t wear masks. He still won’t go to his local coffee shop where he previously spent a LOT of time because there’s too many people, and they haven’t been wearing masks all along. I think he talked a lifetime, fellow farmer friend, into getting vaccinated as well as they talked on the phone during the pandemic. He was pretty worried when his childhood friend was hesitant and he’s very worried about my brother. I read 80% of seniors in Effingham are vaccinated, which is AWESOME! They get it. I might be able to go back to the Firefly restaurant soon!
Comment by UGH Tuesday, May 18, 21 @ 10:37 pm
===He also complains his social security is hardly anything. Yeah dude, because you didn’t pay your FICA when you did work.===
The number of people that knowingly and intentionally commit tax fraud by failing to report payments they receive in cash for work or through a business they operate that are then shocked when their social security is a reflection of their tax fraud is really way too high and rarely is combined with the understanding that if you’re going to lie about your income to the Social Security Administration you need to make sure you’re making sizeable investments.
===he hasn’t filed a tax return in 20 years===
I believe he would just need to file for 2020 in order to receive the stimulus.
Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 11:53 am
To the post;
Several family members have decided that the vaccine is part of a broader genocidal government plot and I wish I were kidding. It’s one thing to have concerns about the safety and side effects and it’s another to believe that it’s a plot to target and murder people like them specifically.
No detail about how this is supposed to work is given and I think it’s also pretty interesting that it does not seem to accompany the belief that all of their family that have been vaccinated are going to die/be rendered sterile, or whatever.
Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, May 19, 21 @ 11:57 am