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Estrangement

Exposing the divisive subject

(68 Posts)
OnwardandUpward Sat 10-Jul-21 12:06:16

I'm putting this here in empathy for all who have lost their friend or loved ones as a result of taking the covid jab.
There is so much misinformation - and the associated fear and rumours are especially cruel.

I know of lifelong friends abandoning the friendship, of teens not allowed to visit their friends anymore, of families split down the middle - meaning children are growing up without the generations of family members to care and look out for them and older generations are missing them.

Double jabbed along with most of my family and friends, it seems we have all lost someone due to covid- but because we have chosen to have the covid jab they wash their hands of us believing us to be contaminated, about to die.

Why will no one confront these lies and rumors, spread by the uneducated? Why are people allowing fear to make them turn their backs on friends and family?

In these forums we already have enough Estrangement- and now there is estrangement of family, friends and loved ones as a result of making an informed and (the best decision possible) for our own bodies. Even if no one comments on this, at least I hope this makes someone feel less alone because no one wants to say their best friend abandoned them or they can't see their family- it's said in a whisper and not generally discussed- but it's happening all the time and it should not be.

OnwardandUpward Thu 15-Jul-21 08:30:01

Definitely Whiff! These people are so delusional, its scary. The thing I really hate is that they call face masks nappies and say that anyone who wears nappies on their face is the reason weve all lost our freedom! sad
It ought to be a hate crime to abuse people for mask wearing or choosing to have the vaccine.

Whiff Thu 15-Jul-21 07:16:57

Have any for you read the some of the idiots on the Covid threads . It's unbelievable what some supposedly intelligent people believe. It's amazing they will pay to have special vaccines if they want to go far flung holidays but something that can save their lives which is free they make excuses not to have it. It should have been made compulsory from the start . Not a popular view. But I am 63 and remember the devastation caused by whopping cough through parents not vaccinating their children because of fears of autism . My children had every vaccine going and know my grandson's had theirs . Their parents paid for them to have the chicken pox one Even though I know nothing of my son's third son I know they will vaccinate him and both my son and daughter in law will have had at least one Covid jab by now. As they believe in vaccination.

I am lucky I don't know of anyone who has refused it. When my brother and sister-in-law had Covid my brother was so ill one night he dectated his will on to his phone he didn't think he would wake up the next morning.

I can't wait for my booster or my flu jab. Plus I will still wear my mask. Things will not get any better until next year . It's time people realised that. We have a reasonability to ourselves and others.

Fed up with the I'm all right Jack brigade.
Rant over.

OnwardandUpward Thu 15-Jul-21 00:14:32

Esspee

Just to make it clear regarding shedding. People infected with Covid shed and can infect others. Those who have been vaccinated cannot shed because the vaccine is not live. If they unfortunately catch covid despite being vaccinated then they can shed.
Simply having the vaccine makes you a risk to nobody else.

That's good to know. I know Im not the first to be abandoned for having the jab and I won't be the last-it doesn't make it any less painful though.

I have a few family members who have cut themselves off from the rest of the family because they believe we are a danger to them and that by having the vaccine we are "evil". I wish they would understand that simply having the vaccine makes you a risk to nobody else, but that being unvaccinated DOES. Thanks for sharing!

OnwardandUpward Thu 15-Jul-21 00:11:47

Spice101

I've heard of plenty of people who have shunned those wo have had the vaccinations. Some have refused to allow vaccinated people into their businesses. They believe that there could be some shedding from the vaccine and thus a vaccinated person is a risk to them.

Conversely I've heard of people who will not have someone into their homes to do jobs, or go to the hairdresser etc. unless they are vaccinated. So it appears that many people have their own theories about COVID control and the OP is correct is saying these myths need to be officially and emphatically addressed.

Its so sad and crazy how its affecting peoples relationships and businesses!

I agree with you that these do need to be officially addressed. Only trouble is, there is so much mistrust that I'm not sure it would work.

Esspee Wed 14-Jul-21 07:42:26

Just to make it clear regarding shedding. People infected with Covid shed and can infect others. Those who have been vaccinated cannot shed because the vaccine is not live. If they unfortunately catch covid despite being vaccinated then they can shed.
Simply having the vaccine makes you a risk to nobody else.

Spice101 Wed 14-Jul-21 07:08:02

I've heard of plenty of people who have shunned those wo have had the vaccinations. Some have refused to allow vaccinated people into their businesses. They believe that there could be some shedding from the vaccine and thus a vaccinated person is a risk to them.

Conversely I've heard of people who will not have someone into their homes to do jobs, or go to the hairdresser etc. unless they are vaccinated. So it appears that many people have their own theories about COVID control and the OP is correct is saying these myths need to be officially and emphatically addressed.

OnwardandUpward Mon 12-Jul-21 09:11:02

My previous comment about Piers was meant for www.gransnet.com/forums/coronavirus/1298315-Why-are-the-young-reluctant-to-take-the-vaccine

Glad for you Witzend. Those nutters in Brighton make me sick. Its one thing to choose not to have it, but to try and make others not have it makes me cross. They will have blood on their hands.

Witzend Mon 12-Jul-21 09:08:14

I don’t know anyone like this, thank goodness. The only person I know who’s refused the vaccine is an ex colleague who for years hasn’t even taken paracetamol for a headache.
He was perfectly happy to meet me and another ex colleague for a pub lunch recently, though.

OnwardandUpward Mon 12-Jul-21 09:02:00

PS sorry I meant Piers Corbyn, not Piers Morgan!

SpanielNanny Mon 12-Jul-21 07:56:33

I don’t know anyone one who has fallen out with someone because they’ve had the vaccine, but I do have an acquaintance who currently won’t allow her dil in her home, because the dil was advised by her consultant to delay having the vaccine.

The dil is currently pregnant and due to a number of complications she’s suffered so far, the doctor advised she holds off getting her first dose until next month after the baby is born. Acquaintance frequently describes her poor dil as selfish, and has told me she believes the woman should attend the vaccine centre and pretend that her consultant hasn’t said it may be unsafe. She is also expecting her son to bring the baby over to her as soon as they leave the hospital, as she won’t visit their home where dil is.

Obviously this is not a common attitude, but their is madness on both sides.

Sparkling Mon 12-Jul-21 06:07:48

If like Malta, other countries insist on proof you have received two doses of the vaccine before you can holiday there, perhaps that will happen to hotels and B and B and maybe hospitality in general. I try really hard not to judge, but I feel as if the person concerned that I am close to, who refuses to be vaccinated, tries all they can to start an argument about it. Won’t mix until the countries clear if Covid. It beggars belief.

OnwardandUpward Sat 10-Jul-21 21:37:46

I agree @Sparkling it is a risk taking the vaccine- but it's also a risk to not take it. It's very hard to know for sure, but all we can do is try to make an informed decision.

@ElusiveButterfly that's a shame but hopefully you can keep the friendship at a distance. It's a shame to lose a friendship. My husband has a friend who has gradually got more and more into the conspiracy theories and the only way he copes is to be friends at a distance.

With regards to my relative who is anti vaccine, I avoided saying anything for a good few months- but when the claims became more bizarre about what was supposed to happen to people who had had the vaccine I eventually cracked and admitted I'd had it and that I was ok. Another family member was angry with me for not lying or keeping the vaccine a secret, but I don't believe I should have to keep secrets or "someone" would think that I was obeying.

Elusivebutterfly Sat 10-Jul-21 21:08:23

I had a close friend who became a conspiracy theorist last year. It's very difficult to remain friends with someone who has such bizarre views.

Sparkling Sat 10-Jul-21 20:53:49

I can’t understand why seemingly intelligent people refuse the jab. There’s no reasoning with them, I just have to not mention the subject or there would be a rift never to heal, I refuse to fall out about it but inside it annoys me, do they really think it would go away on its own without considerable lives lost, they done mind the vaccinated people taking the risks they think exists with the vaccine to keep services and shops running. It’s selfish.

OnwardandUpward Sat 10-Jul-21 20:45:50

@Shelflife It is! I agree! My youngest son was targetted by the antivax brigade and someone left our family when none of us would "obey". It's very sad!

@Blossoming I'm glad your friend's Dr was supportive and she took their advice. I'm also glad you havent fallen out with anyone. I would like to add that I haven't "fallen out" with anyone, rather that we have been ostracised as a result of us not heeding the warning to avoid the vaccine. We were threatened that if we had the vaccine we would be ostracised because they could not be around "that type of energy". It is our punishment that we are now shunned by this family member and also two of my friends have had exactly the same from long term friends of theirs.

I do not feel it fair that anyone should be ostracised or cut off as a result of their right to choose what happens with their own body- and I can assure you that there was no falling out, just a failure to adequately hide the fact that we'd had the vaccine.

Blossoming Sat 10-Jul-21 20:35:58

I know only one person who refused the second jab, for medical reasons. Her doctor agreed with her. I’ve had both and haven’t fallen out with anyone.

Shelflife Sat 10-Jul-21 20:28:33

This is bizarre!!!! Never heard if this, why on earth would someone be alienated because they have had the vaccine? Conspiracy theories are very dangerous and sadly people are influenced by them.

OnwardandUpward Sat 10-Jul-21 20:28:21

So sorry about your friend Galaxy.

I dont know how common this is in UK, but its happened to me and at least 2 other families I personally know. I also read on GN of people its happened to on a previous post.

OnwardandUpward Sat 10-Jul-21 20:24:05

theworriedwell

I don't know anyone who has refused the jab. I heard today that the last of my 4 kids has had his second jab. Everyone I work with has. My siblings and their kids. I can't think of a single person who hasn't had it and been keen to get it.
Seems mad not to want it and even madder to reject people because they have.

I hope they see sense.

Thats wonderful BlueBelle!

All of my family has had it bar one who shares these beliefs and wants nothing to do with the rest of the family. Whoever is separating people from their families and friends is very evil indeed because they wont have any support except the echo chamber they find themselves in.

OnwardandUpward Sat 10-Jul-21 20:21:49

Yes I'm in UK, but this started in America apparently Bluebelle. Its getting out of hand.

OnwardandUpward Sat 10-Jul-21 20:20:55

Lin52

So sorry if this has happened to you, and I cannot comprehend why people would do this, why people not listening to the experts on this, but rather the mischief makers that are always present on social media. The scaremongering around the Oxford AZ, four of my family have had, two under 50, no problems whatsoever, from Europe, initially , without research behind the claims, the claims re aspiration blood clots, much has been made around the awful consequences for some vaccinated people, as opposed to the millions that have been successfully vaccinated. I would suggest they read the peer reviewed evidence, freely available on the internet, you can lead a horse to water but not make it drink, they have made up their minds not to listen to reason. It is very sad people are missing out on support when they most need it.

Three of us have had double doses of AZ and no medical problems.

Vulnerable souls are being singled out online and recruited to these groups. I believe they are being brainwashed and it seems cult like.

They cannot see it, but its they who are blind and fearful, following their leader. Meanwhile, we who are vaccinated have listened to scientists and Dr's then made an educated choice.

BlueBelle Sat 10-Jul-21 20:13:30

Are you in a U.K. onward?
Is not something I ve heard if at all

OnwardandUpward Sat 10-Jul-21 20:13:15

Galaxy

One of my friends, who I have known since I was 3, is a full on conspiracy theorist, we live at opposite ends of the country so havent seen each other since the pandemic. I do wonder how we will interact when she realises I have been vaccinated, as according to her Facebook posts anyone who has the vaccine is unable to think for themselves, a sheep etc etc. I actually dont think it's that uncommon.

The more I read social media posts, the more common I find it is.

Its so sad, but I believe they are the ones in fear. As I said to one, its more brave to have the vaccine than to be in fear of it. It went down like a lead balloon, as you can imagine.

theworriedwell Sat 10-Jul-21 20:13:08

I don't know anyone who has refused the jab. I heard today that the last of my 4 kids has had his second jab. Everyone I work with has. My siblings and their kids. I can't think of a single person who hasn't had it and been keen to get it.
Seems mad not to want it and even madder to reject people because they have.

I hope they see sense.

LauraNorder Sat 10-Jul-21 20:12:13

I’ve never heard of this. Very strange idea.