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>The reason being is most unvaccinated people don’t believe it isn’t effective, they don’t like being forced to protect themselves by a bunch of moral busybodie
by BoxOfRain 5y ago
>The reason being is most unvaccinated people don’t believe it isn’t effective, they don’t like being forced to protect themselves by a bunch of moral busybodies.
I think this is something that's very understated in public discussion around COVID-19, I got vaccinated because I weighed up the odds and thought it made sense from both a social and a personal cost/benefit perspective. I didn't get vaccinated because I was gaslit into it by the government's "nudges", nor did I get it because I was nagged or shamed into it by those who can't keep their noses out of other people's business. There's few things I dislike more in a person than a Puritan wagging finger, yet all the messaging around the pandemic was nothing but wagging fingers.
People don't like being manipulated, even if it's "for their own good" or even "for the greater good". People aren't stupid either, they know when authority figures aren't being entirely upfront with them. As well-intentioned as the measures were, the institutions who imposed them have burned up a lot of public trust in the process with the use of fear and coercion as a tool to manage the pandemic as well as being a bit economical with the truth instead of just saying "we don't know" where appropriate. I think the unfortunate persistence of the anti-vax movement is partially down to this instinct for authoritarianism and shaming people rather than extending an olive branch.
I do wonder if "vaccines mean we can permanently rid ourselves of masks, distancing, and other authoritarian restrictions" would have been more effective as a campaign than "get the vaccine or you're a horrible selfish piece of crap who probably wants to bump off grandma for her inheritence". Maybe it wouldn't have made a difference, but I think it would.
- throwawayboise 5y ago> vaccines mean we can permanently rid ourselves of masks, distancing, and other authoritarian restrictions They said that, and it turned out to also be a lie. I got the vaccine because I was threatened with loss of employment if I didn't, and enticed by a promise that frequent testing, social distancing, and mask-wearing would not be required for the vaccinated. They pretty quickly reneged on that. To say that I am infuriated is putting it mildly. I obviously cannot undo the vaccine that I didn't want and was forced/coerced into taking. They have destroyed any faith I had in their promises. I will most certainly now refuse any further demands along these lines, whether for flu shots, boosters, or whatever. Fool me once, shame on you.
- greedo 5y agoThey didn't mean that the restrictions would go away if YOU personally got vaxxed, only if a respectable number in the US did. And that still hasn't happened because people are stubborn and selfish.
- throwawayboise 5y agoNo, my employer specifically stated that the vaccinated would not need to mask or distance at work. Then they walked it back.
- greedo 5y agoThe parent comment was talking about public discussion of how vax would allow a faster return to normal life. Your employer is perfectly entitled to tell you to mask or distance, or where a pink jumpsuit. With people getting fake vax cards, etc, I can see some employers deciding to err on the side of caution. Especially since some workers can't get vaxxed at all due to medical conditions.
- throwawayboise 5y agoExcept they made a big deal about the no mask, no distancing promise. It was a central theme of their "get the vaccine" campaign. Oh and also you won't get fired. Then they reneged. Thus, they have destroyed any credibility they may have had for future similar promises.
- greedo 5y agoPeople are stupid. As a species, we've survived despite this, but as Carlin used to say; "“Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.” People hold irrational beliefs (JFK Jr. is still alive), the earth is flat, on and on. And America in many respects can be incredibly anti-intellectual. Being smart is often a negative in a lot of environments.