Vaccination etiquette question

Mik

My high school graduating class is pretty tight. Pre-pandemic we had a monthly gathering that was usually 14 or 15 folks. Of course that all stopped in March 20. The guy who arranged these things moved out of state during the year. So I thought I might pick them back up as things opened up.

So I posted something in our FB group about how by now most of us were vaccinated so maybe we could start back up in May. Of course the anti-vaxxers among us started asking pointedly if they had to be vaccinated to come.

My response was that would be a group decision. My real feeling about this relates to how we handled things in my family and MFR's. If anyone is uncomfortable with something, it's a no go. It has worked out well for us and no one in my family got sick.

What do you think of that position? I believe people have the right not to get vaccinated. I do not believe they have the right to attend social gatherings if it makes someone else uncomfortable. We don't really know yet how the vaccine is going to shake out yet.

It's a not-so-brave new world.

Doctor Phibes

@mik said in Vaccination etiquette question:

What do you think of that position? I believe people have the right not to get vaccinated. I do not believe they have the right to attend social gatherings if it makes someone else uncomfortable.

I agree with you 100%.

There are consequences for refusing the vaccination. I don't think people should be ostracised, but there are consequences.

Catseye3

@mik My first reaction was that the anti-vaxxers' question was kind of stupid. Your whole impetus for re-establishing the group was that the members were vaccinated, hello?

Horace

I have a basic understanding of people's autonomy. if I want to stay home, I stay home. I prefer to stay home most of the time. You can try to convince me that you care about COVID, and its effects, that is all well and good, but then you'll also have to convince me that it's important to see your high school classmates in person, within COVID transaction distance, and you're champing at the bit to do that as soon as your conscience allows.

Mik

Nuanced. Not helpful at all, but nuanced.

Doctor Phibes

@mik said in Vaccination etiquette question:

Nuanced. Not helpful at all, but nuanced.

Horace should have that on a t-shirt

Loki

It’s outrageous that an anti Vaxxer ask to attend. Period.

I have no time for that horseshit.

Now, you do have autonomy and I would even I count an anti vaxxer as a friend but really fvck off when you bring your ideology with you to an event you know will stir controversy.

Axtremus

The establishment that hosts the gathering makes the rule.
If it’s going to take place at your house, your rule.
It it’s going to take place at a restaurant, follow the restaurant’s rules.

Horace

@loki said in Vaccination etiquette question:

It’s outrageous that an anti Vaxxer ask to attend. Period.

I have no time for that horseshit.

It matters what you value. Do you value them?

Again, I don't know any anti-vaxxers, so many of you have me at a disadvantage. I suspect I will go to my grave never meeting one that I felt the loss of, if I had to exclude them.

Mik

Of course I value them. They are lifelong friends. One was even at the Capitol, and he was one of my very best friends in school.

Mik

@axtremus said in Vaccination etiquette question:

The establishment that hosts the gathering makes the rule.
If it’s going to take place at your house, your rule.
It it’s going to take place at a restaurant, follow the restaurant’s rules.

Why would I allow a relatively disinterested party to make that decision? I suppose if I wanted to avoid taking responsibility for the decision I could do that. But that's really not my way.

Axtremus

@mik said in Vaccination etiquette question:

Why in God's name would I allow a relatively disinterested party to make that decision?

Because you make use of that party’s property, they get to make the rule. Your decision is whether you want to make use of that party’s property. If you want complete control, host it on your own property.

Loki

@horace said in Vaccination etiquette question:

@loki said in Vaccination etiquette question:

It’s outrageous that an anti Vaxxer ask to attend. Period.

I have no time for that horseshit.

It matters what you value. Do you value them?

Again, I don't know any anti-vaxxers, so many of you have me at a disadvantage. I suspect I will go to my grave never meeting one that I felt the loss of, if I had to exclude them.

I respect people’s point of view. I expect them to respect mine. I know two kids that got Covid in the last week. So many hassles for the parents. It’s like a car accident even if they are asymptomatic

Horace

@loki said in Vaccination etiquette question:

@horace said in Vaccination etiquette question:

@loki said in Vaccination etiquette question:

It’s outrageous that an anti Vaxxer ask to attend. Period.

I have no time for that horseshit.

It matters what you value. Do you value them?

Again, I don't know any anti-vaxxers, so many of you have me at a disadvantage. I suspect I will go to my grave never meeting one that I felt the loss of, if I had to exclude them.

I respect people’s point of view. I expect them to respect mine. I know two kids that got Covid in the last week. So many hassles for the parents. It’s like a car accident even if they are asymptomatic

They need to stay home.

jodi

@doctor-phibes said in Vaccination etiquette question:

@mik said in Vaccination etiquette question:

Nuanced. Not helpful at all, but nuanced.

Horace should have that on a t-shirt

Hilarious!

Mik

@axtremus said in Vaccination etiquette question:

@mik said in Vaccination etiquette question:

Why in God's name would I allow a relatively disinterested party to make that decision?

Because you make use of that party’s property, they get to make the rule. Your decision is whether you want to make use of that party’s property. If you want complete control, host it on your own property.

Not nuanced. Not helpful, but not nuanced.

Aqua Letifer

If it were me, I'd say yeah, require vaccinations. For a handful of reasons:

It'd make it safer overall for everyone else who attends.
It'd make it safer for the anti-vaxxers, too, even if they can't see it that way.
You all are in a higher-risk category.
Look, can we make a distinction here between respecting others' personal decisions, and acknowledging that those personal choices can also be insane? They're keeping themselves at higher risk. They're increasing risk for everyone around them. You're allowed to do and believe what you want up to the point of placing others' health at risk, and that's what they'd be doing. Therefore, you're within your rights to make a call.

jodi

So our ukulele singing group is starting back up in person tonight, for those who are vaccinated, and that is a perfectly reasonable requirement at this moment in time. So offering to organize a get together, as long as those attend have been vaccinated is a valid request, Since we are still in the midst of a pandemic. You can reevaluate, and maybe have a regular reunion next year, when there is more information about all of this.

LuFins Dad

You’re right in making it a group decision. And @jodi brought up an important point about this being an at this time decision.Things may look very different in just a few weeks.

I do wonder though about some people’s anger and fear though.

Doctor Phibes

@mik said in Vaccination etiquette question:

Not nuanced. Not helpful, but not nuanced.

Competing t-shirts.

The New Coffee Room

Vaccination etiquette question