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Getting a divorce because of Covid!

(94 Posts)
DaisyL Thu 22-Apr-21 15:12:57

I had a plumber in my house yesterday and he told me that he and his wife are getting divorced because he believes that Covid is a government conspiracy and she doesn't. They are in their 40s and had been together for twenty years - but he will not compromise. Refuses to wear a mask, will not and says he never will have the vaccine, is convinced that the government is trying to kill us! I am a bit sceptical about the dangers, but not foolhardy. Seems tragic to end a marriage because of this. I was quite shocked - he has always struck me as a very sensible young man.

Musicgirl Sat 24-Apr-21 11:57:29

The very few workmen we have had during the pandemic have been a similar age to us and all have worn masks. I would not want to have someone working in my house who did not wear a mask. I know Coronavirus conspiracy theorists are still around but how could they be after the last year? Tomorrow will mark the anniversary of the death of my 35-year-old friend who died from it. It certainly is not a conspiracy.

Nannan2 Sat 24-Apr-21 12:05:41

I wouldn't have let him in my house, jabs or not..maybe that too is how his wife felt about him ?

Alioop Sat 24-Apr-21 12:43:21

If he thinks he's right over Covid, I'm sure he thinks he's right about everything in life. She has probably had enough of him and his views over the years and has had enough. My friend's hubby won't have the jab and she said he won't stop her having her holidays, etc if they bring in the the Covid passport. I'm sure there are a few having these disagreements at the moment.

BlueSapphire Sat 24-Apr-21 13:25:04

My niece's DH also wouldn't have the vaccine as he thought a microchip was in it - until he realised he wouldn't be able to go abroad for his holidays. That changed his mind and he is now vaccinated.

GillT57 Sat 24-Apr-21 13:27:26

Sadly, a lot of people have fallen down the rabbit hole of conspiracy theories during this last year; possibly due to fear, or having too much time on their hands, or because it has been a weird time for everyone. I have a couple of friends with full blown conspiracy beliefs, at present we don't obviously see much of each other, just a brief catch up outside for as long as we can cope with the cold, but long term I am not sure that I will be able to pretend that everything is as it was pre-covid as our views on many things have become very different.

mokryna Sat 24-Apr-21 13:36:17

My French cousins by marriage, notice how I am distancing them, say that they are not having the vaccine infecting their bodies because it is up to the laboratories to come up with a treatment. grin

Bluecat Sat 24-Apr-21 14:02:48

If he believes Covid is a hoax and he doesn't wear a mask, presumably he doesn't follow other rules such as sanitising his hands. As his job means that he goes in people's houses, it would be very easy for him to pick up the virus. I wouldn't let him through the front door!

As for his divorce, maybe his wife did get sick of his conspiracy theories. More likely that he is a pain in the bum in other ways too but finds it easier to blame everything on Covid.

DaisyL Sat 24-Apr-21 14:07:11

My goodness there is a real shortage of tolerance for other people's views on Gransnet. I told the plumber that whilst I didn't agree with his views I felt he was perfectly entitled to hold them. Not sure I want to live in a world where everyone who doesn't think along the line of perceived wisdom must have a mental illness and be silenced.

Linnty Sat 24-Apr-21 14:08:18

Vampirequeen I totally empathise with that. My ex was bewildered as to why I would leave such a wonderful marriage (!). Had the first good nights sleep in years. He hadn’t noticed how much his behaviour had alienated me.

Angharad19 Sat 24-Apr-21 14:38:51

Covid deniers are quite delusional. They become very angry indeed if you challenge them. I got caught up in an argument with a sort of friend who seems obsessed with death statistics. I ended up saying to him that he is always making a quantitative argument which may or may not be accurate. It is a complex business. He does not consider the quality of the infection: that this is a very nasty virus, that terrifies those who suffer from it and those who have to give them medical attention and that it is a virus that mutates quickly and might produce variants that may not be much affected by the vaccines we have already. I am not a pessimist and manage my anxiety well but we do need people to question dogmatic positions that involve denial of unpalatable realities.

Cornishgreenhouse Sat 24-Apr-21 14:47:49

I agree so very sad, but I have a friend who is also a conspiracy theorist and there is a constant splurging of anti vax stuff from her, it’s very tedious and I don’t have to live with her!
Well done for opening the windows but be aware DaiseyL that although you have had 2 jabs you don’t have 100% protection and even out of those 5or 6 in 100 who aren’t protected .... it could be you. Personally I wouldn’t have any tradesman in my house without a mask and he should wear one unless exempt.

grannygranby Sat 24-Apr-21 15:04:27

It’s too late now but you should have given him short shrift. How dare he think he can visit peoples homes without a mask.

GreyKnitter Sat 24-Apr-21 15:36:27

Def wouldn’t let him in my house without a mask. No idea where he’s been or who he’s been with so even if I’d had the vaccines I still wouldn’t let him in. He has every right to his opinion, even it’s it’s not mine, but I also have every right not to employ folks like that and have them in my house. People like him spread the virus and will continue to do so. No wonder his wife wants a divorce. Sad, but sorting the sheep from the goats!

jaylucy Sat 24-Apr-21 15:55:59

No mask? Not coming in my house!
I suppose one point in his favour was that he didn't blame Bill Gates and say that if he had the vaccine, Bill Gates would be able to track wherever he was!
Quite honestly, his wife sounds as if she will be better off without him. I also guess that there are other problems in the marriage that he has ignored.
Sadly, there are a lot of people like him that believe similar things as he does - they have obviously been lucky enough not to have been directly affected.

Lilyflower Sat 24-Apr-21 16:34:41

If the man is sleeping in a friend’s house he is breaking the law.

What a numpty. His wife is well rid.

Paperbackwriter Sat 24-Apr-21 16:46:19

Just asking: when you let a tradesman into the house and insist on a mask, are you all wearing one too? I was wondering because i got a bit stroppy about the last two deliveries here - Waitrose and Tesco - as neither delivery guy was wearing a mask. But then I realised that, in my own house, neither was I!

Newatthis Sat 24-Apr-21 16:48:00

I too wouldn’t of left him in my house without a mask regardless of what his beliefs on the Pandemic are. It was totally selfish of him to come into your house without wearing one and perhaps his selfishness is one of the reasons why she is leaving him.

kjmpde Sat 24-Apr-21 17:36:55

as an ex civil servant, I can honestly say that all UK governments lie. BUT I find it difficult to believe that governments all aroud the globe would agree to tell the same lie. I also doubt that the terrible pictures of people dying in Brazil and India are made up to try and fool us. That really would take a lot of effort. So I find it difficult to see why people believe that the pandemic is a made-up story. Strange to think though that there are vegetarians married to flesh eaters, smokers married to non-smokers, religious people married to aetheists, Tories married to Labour but this marriage will not endure. Maybe there is more to this than he is stating.

Galaxy Sat 24-Apr-21 17:39:58

I could and do live with/marry someone with all those differences. I couldnt stay married to a conspiracy theorist they are soooooo boring.

Caro57 Sat 24-Apr-21 18:36:51

No mask........
No come into my house
He’s an idiot - that may be the real reason and Covid is the get out clause

Hithere Sat 24-Apr-21 18:43:49

"22/04/2021 15:50EllanVannin

Doesn't take much these days, does it ? ( rolls eyes )"

Luckily now more women do not put up (and justify what they stay in such marriages) with the abuse/cheating/addictions/etc

Anyway, that is his version of events, if we talked to the wife, we would get a different reason

Hithere Sat 24-Apr-21 18:44:21

Why they stay, not what

Deedaa Sat 24-Apr-21 19:08:12

I would very much doubt that Covid is the only conspiracy he believes in. DD had a chap working for her who believed them all! He was a complete nightmare but fortunately moved on before Covid started. I think she would probably have killed him if he'd been there with anti Covid theories. (She has various means at her disposal. I think she would probably have locked hin in her -70 degree freezer wink )

Anitae Sat 24-Apr-21 20:26:04

My plumber never wore a mask either but hes cheap and does a good job. I don't believe it's a conspiracy but the government is not as worried about how many people have died as much as they claim. I agree probably lots more going on than he has said. My brother doesn't believe in covid and is not getting the jab and he runs a pub but I'm not about to disown him

Oopsadaisy1 Sat 24-Apr-21 20:59:47

‘He’s cheap and does a good job’ well that’s all right then!

All the people he can infect will have saved money.