I live in a small town in central MA. There’s no such signaling going on here. People wear masks in stores but not outside. You will often see people walking through a parking lot putting on their mask and then taking it off the minute they walk back outside. No one wears masks when walking, biking, running. I’ve actually started towards a store a couple times and then realized I left my mask in the car and had to turn around to go get it.
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And I imagine no one there is contracting Covid through casual outdoor contact, because that’s basically not a thing that happens. The behavior you describe seems perfectly reasonable.
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The neighborhood kids are all racing around the neighborhood with their masks on and don’t seem to be bothered or scared at all. One parent was saying that her kid actually wanted a mask like everyone else even though she was younger than is required to have a mask.
Last summer there was a camp in Missouri where 82 kids and staff got Covid. And it wasn’t the only one.
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There are a lot of stats in this study about vaccine acceptance, reluctance and pretty much anything in between:
Looks like the percentage of people who want vaccine as soon as possible but have not been able to get at least one dose is down to about 10% of the total of most demographics.
The main exception is Hispanic adults, who have larger percentages of those who want vaccine as soon as possible but have not yet been able to get at least one dose (17% of all ages, 18% of age 18-49, 20% age 50-64, 7% of age 65+).
Among those who want vaccine as soon as possible but have not gotten at least one dose, 38% have tried to make an appointment. The survey did ask those who did not for reasons why not, with the largest answers involving being too busy or not being able to get time off work.
54% overall believe or are unsure of at least one false myth about the vaccines, such as “You can get COVID-19 from the vaccine”, “The COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to cause infertility”, and others.
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Around here (not sure it’s statewide) a business can schedule vaccines for their employees so they don’t have to leave work.
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I guess that not having your voters or costumers die or suffer long-term illness could be considered political and/or monetary goals.
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I think this is a very tricky issue and definitely not as black and white as many are trying to make it.
Me: Fully vaccinated. Significant issue 4 days post second vaccine. Severe enough that I would have considered going to the hospital, but also know my brother had similar issue and ended up in the hospital for the day for a battery of tests to rule out stroke or other related heart issues. His tests were all fine and nobody would even consider it was related to the vaccine. He hesitated on second shot but since he was feeling better and everyone convinced him it was unrelated he got second dose. Symptoms started again and lasted for a few days. Then found out my mother, sister and nephew had very similar issue. None of them reported their symptoms. I did. I don’t regret getting the vaccine but I will say I am reluctant for any booster.
Spouse: Got the first dose then was exposed at work a day later. Got Covid. I would say he had a moderate case. Definitely not fun and he doesn’t recommend it. Started researching what to do about second dose. First person at the hospital told him he had to start over, in other words, get two more shots. We know this was not true, and instead of admitting they don’t know the answer they made one up. 2nd person says wait until symptom free for 2 weeks. Next person says come in for regularly scheduled second dose. He still had symptoms so he had decided not to get it but went to talk to them personally. They said they would call when he was to get it. To date they have not called and that was a month ago. Since then, 2 of his Drs told him not to get it as 1 shot and having Covid is showing same protection as two shots. Bottom line is, nobody knows.
1st child. 25 years old. Significant other has gotten the vaccine but my child has decided against. Good friend, 24 year old male, developed myocarditis following first dose. This was before these recent reports about young men and myocarditis. He and his family refuse to admit that there is even a possibility it could be related to the vaccine even though he was perfectly healthy before. It could be coincidence but these reports really have me wondering and because they won’t even consider that they are related they refuse to report it. Because of this my child is reluctant. They are adults and get to make their own decisions and I support their choices.
2nd child: 23 year old female. Was transported via ambulance earlier this year with ruptured ovarian cyst. Thus far has opted to not get the vaccine. She has several friends who have had menstrual issues since getting the vaccine. Most recently, my niece, her cousin ended up in the hospital with hemorrhaging for the second month in a row after receiving vaccine. Since my daughter already has ovarian issues and is watching friends struggle she is worried about fertility. I know they don’t think there will be fertility issues with the vaccine, and this may very well be true, but there is no way they could possibly know this yet. It hasn’t been around long enough to know. She may be required to get the vaccine when she returns to school in the fall, and if that’s the case she will get it but not now. Again, as an adult it is her decision and I support her choices.
All anecdotal but 4 people with 4 different reasons for reluctance. And reading people here calling those who are reluctant “stupid” and “selfish” and “Covidiots” does nothing to convince anyone, if anything it’s pushing the other way. People have many reasons for their choices and calling people names is not the way to go about changing anyone’s mind.
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Unscientific anecdotes like this are also unhelpful. How is this any different from those who refuse to vaccinate their kids based on unscientific claims of vaccines causing autism?
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How is it unscientific if these are physical symptoms that actually occurred after receiving the vaccine. I’ve heard many of these symptoms reported on other websites as well. The problem is that these vaccines were tested on a very small number of people (around 15-30k) so the likelihood that all possible symptoms would show up in such a small cohort is absolutely zero. Then the EUA was granted on these small cohort findings. Once you get millions of people vaccinated….now there are all sorts of side effects showing up. But don’t worry they’re all completely normal.
The manufacturers and the CDC don’t seem to care at all about any of these symptoms. Theyre all considered “normal” whatever that means. It’s just full steam ahead on vaccines even though we are gaining zero freedom from taking them. Still mask, still 6 feet apart, quarantines, schools still closed etc…
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The problem is that getting COVID has more mortality and more risk of lingering issues than the vaccine.
It’s up to each and every person if they are willing to risk getting COVID or a much smaller risk of a lasting side effect of the vaccine.
Any way you add up the numbers, the risk of dying or long term issues is much greater than the risk of vaccination.
I don’t know how you can make a vaccine without any risk. All vaccinations have them. It’s up to you to weigh the risk.
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You have no scientific basis to make that statement. The vaccine has been around for about 6 months.
Absolutely agree but that’s not the general consensus. Right now it’s all about pressuring and shaming people into getting the vaccine. Just read the posts on this website. Punish students who don’t get vaccinated by restricting dorm living and activities availability. People are selfish and ignorant if they don’t get the vaccine.
As I’ve said before, I’m fully vaccinated. But I’m not super happy about all the unknowns.
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I have my opinions and you have yours. We disagree and that’s perfectly ok.
I’ve made my decision and I’m super happy with it.
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I agree. I also reserve the right to socialize only with others who have chosen to be vaccinated.
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This is very different than a refusal to vaccinate based on unscientific claims of autism. The title of this thread is “vaccine reluctance”. I gave 4 examples of vaccine reluctance in my family and gave 4 different reasons. I never stated that my reasons were helpful or unhelpful. I never asked anyone to agree with our reasons. I was just trying to illustrate that there are a lot of reasons people may be reluctant but I feel as if your response is an attempt to invalidate our thoughts and choices. Obviously I am not anti vaccine as I chose and completed the vaccine series. I never claimed any “science” in my post other than there has not been enough time to determine if there will be issues with fertility although they believe to date it will not be an issue.
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A gentle reminder: Please be kind. If you see a post that does not conform to our guidelines please flag it for review by mods (even if it has already been flagged).
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Yesterday, my extremely reluctant daughter met my extremely opinionated sister and daughter had to admit she wasn’t planning on getting vaccinated. My sister went wild. Daughter left and sister went on and on about it for 2 hours (her husband was fixing something in the shower). Today daughter texts me that she felt attacked. Sister called our mother and went on about it for another 45 minutes.
Daughter said she’d get the vaccine when it’s required for travel or something. I said she won’t be invited to sister’s houses or allowed near sister’s son any time soon (sister has a mountain house and daughter has stayed there for both skiing and hiking to get an early start).
I told daughter that it would be a shame if she had to cancel a vacation because she got covid. Even if a mild case, she’d miss out on fun. This is a kid who digs her heels in and needs a good reason to change her mind. Missing fun might be it.
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Would you mind sharing what the significant issue was on day 4 after your second dose? Or PM me if you are able to. Thanks.
I got my second dose so I don’t endanger my elderly mother whose immune system might not have made the vaccines as effective as well as to see my daughter finally after a year and a half. She has health issues and I feel better about her safety if I am vaccinated.
However I have a screwy immune system and lupus so I wasn’t feeling comfy getting it.
I’m sorry your sister was so upset but she does have the right to request that the people she invites to her home are vaccinated.
It sounds like your sister freaked out and that was unfortunate. Your daughter was correct in that she was attacked but I’m afraid that those who choose not to be vaccinated will find that life will get tough for them.
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Reports like these won’t help the reluctant: