Watching anti-mask/vaxxers choose between their librul hate and their beloved friends

[lindysalsagal]

This is my friend’s true-life story of watching anti-maskers and anti-vaxxers choose between their most beloved activities and friends, and their adherence to GQP anti-science.

I will reply to questions, but I will not reveal some details, so, this is a take-it-or-leave-it anecdotal account in real time that you will not be able to verify. So, move on if you don’t want to believe me. But it’s a juicy story and it’s going really well, so far.

This is a red-purple town in the suburban outskirts of an important US city in a purple state. It’s a community group that’s happily existed for many years. It’s the kind of amateur group participation activity that happens in every town in the world. Nothing unusual or religious or politically based. It's a very common community activity. Out of a need to protect my friend, you'll just have to go with that. I'm not revealing what or where.

Except, that as of next week, the members must either provide evidence of vaccination or wear a mask. These are not state or local laws: They are the decisions made by the members, themselves. So, there is no blaming government, here. If any members don't like it, they are forced to admit their friends chose to do this. It's personal.

Roughly 80% are vaccinated. The other 20 run the gamut, but at least a couple are refusing masks and vaccinations for the shakiest excuses (you’ve heard them all):

1. “It’s against my religion".
2. "It’s against my politics."
3. "Covid is fake. "
4. "The vaccinations will hurt me."
5. "I hate libruls."
6. "I never use modern medicine or drugs. "
7. "It’s a free country and I can do what I want."
8. "Breathing in a mask isn’t healthy.”
9. "It's my decision. No one's telling me what to do."
Etc.

So, their choices are
1. Give in and get vaxxed. (My friend isn’t expecting any of those. )
2. Give up the group activity with their beloved friends. Quit coming, altogether. (Probably most likely)
3. Attend the activity in a mask and be branded a lower class citizen. It feels like they’re being punished because they don’t believe in science. (A couple with medical issues will opt for this, but not all.)

All year, this group has been trying to avoid making any decisions about this, but now they are forced to make a choice, and the choice came down on the side of science!

It’s going to be a very personal study in psychology to see how they handle the cognitive dissonance of their group rejecting their alternate GQP reality. Suddenly, “those libruls” they loved to hate are their best friends in their beloved hobby! Their hatred of science and experts has cost them their beloved group. Their group has formally rejected their anti-science!

I won't find out until next week what the non-vaxxed will do.
Reply so you can be alerted next week when my friend reports back! Science wins!!!

[hlthe2b]

1. I have no problem believing your story. Let us know how it turns out!

[Phoenix61]

2. Science always wins. The only question is who's around at the end to see it. nt

[Jedi Guy]

30. I'm serving you official notice that I'm stealing that saying. That is all. N/T

[SaveOurDemocracy]

3. I'd like to hear how it turns out. Interesting dynamic. 🤔😷

[Hekate]

4. Good luck to your friend!

[MLAA]

5. I'm hoping there are a couple pleasant surprises. But I'm sure glad

the organization stepped up and has drawn the line.

[ShazamIam]

6. It is very believable, I had to watch family and friends with children drop some playmates because

some parents took no precautions nor did they observe common precautions, such as the children from one family being allowed to roam the neighborhood and play with whomever was on the street or playground, no masks ever by parent or child, the extra hand washing, etc.

[SheltieLover]

7. Glad the organization is being responsible!

Keep us posted, please?

[sanatanadharma]

8. Excellent parable

There exists an existential fracture in the civics and civility of the 21st century. I am tempted to blame the PNAC clan and their water-board justifying followers.

The results of the political propagandizing of the 5th-retch have reached the point of delusion. Desire, thwarted results, anger, rage, delusion is the progression of those whose "knows" are based in nada.

The illusion-al world in which too many of our neighbors live must be dashed upon the rock of reality as are un-moored boats, cast adrift and driven by the wild winds of tormented weak minds and demented wills, until broken on the beach.

Sermon on the hill top story, sister

[lindysalsagal]

25. You could be right. Covid snapped some back to reality.

[PufPuf23]

9. Interesting scenario. Will be interested to see how it plays out.

Thank you. nt

[Crunchy Frog]

10. Sounds interesting.

[moonscape]

11. Curious the political make-up of the

group. Is it a purple 50/50 with 30% of the conservatives having gotten vaccinated with 20% holdouts?

[lindysalsagal]

24. I really don't know, exactly.

I suspect roughly 10% are serious gqp or religious cult fanatics. There are probably another 10% who are conservative leaning but follow the science. They're not the problem, but they're finally seeing how destructive their own party is.....to them, personally.

[Wild blueberry]

12. Thank you for letting us know what happens

[Leith]

13. I'm interested to see how it turns out

Count me in.

[Hoosier]

14. wow...this is interesting on all levels

please keep us informed
I gather this is one data point, but one damn interesting one it is!

[dupagelib]

15. Love to hear the outcome.

Sociologists will be studying this stuff for years.

[PA Democrat]

17. And 4 million have died from the virus itself.

I'll take my chances with the vaccine.

[Lars39]

18. I heard another bogus excuse yesterday.

“My doctor said we had to wait 5 months after we’ve had COVID to get vaccinated.”
Bullsheeet. If you’re going to lie to my face at least tell me a better one than that!

[GulfCoast66]

19. Totally believable. But some might cave.

My wife is a close to executive level manager where she works. Her leader and all her peers got vaccinated ASAP. Except for one. Conservative and was vocal about not trusting the vaccine. Big mistake. Because now vaccinated people don’t have to mask. Which meant she would be the only one still wearing a mask.

She got vaccinated last week. All her employees were vaccinated and were whispering about her reluctance. And while there would never be an official policy to consider such issues in future promotions, people are judged on their judgment.

I’d guess a percentage of them will get the jab.

And if not at least you now have a group of rational people.

[lindysalsagal]

26. Same story here, just like insurrectionists: reality finally

Dawns and their tantrum ends.It was lots of fun, waving our frump flags and insulting those anonymous liberals, until their own friends demanded proof they're vaxxed. Anti-science was out-voted.

[smirkymonkey]

20. I believe it!

Sounds like an interesting situation. Curious to see how it turns out.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

21. Count me in as wanting to know how this all turns out! Sounds fascinating.

It's great when science wins.

[Fresh_Start]

22. really curious about how it works out..

please keep me on the list to update.
thank you

[lindysalsagal]

23. Early hints that one anti vaxxer will mask, 1 will quit.

The quitter insulted everyone else in a group email. But there are more we still can't predict until next week.

The group leader told the insulter to apologize. Hasn't happened yet....

[niyad]

27. I, too, am interested to know how this turns out.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

28. How did vaccination concerns get so connected to politics?

Republicans, that's how......

The Rethugs have used this issue to further divide our populace, just like many other non-political issues and it has cost the world hundreds of thousands of lives.

If, during tRump's term, America had lead the world in masking and vaccination efforts (including shaping of public thinking) we also would not be seeing the current resurgence of the disease around the globe, IMO. We must somehow place this burden on their shoulders where it belongs......

Thanks for posting this interesting story, lindysalsagal. It's so refreshing to hear of a group doing the right thing for life's sake.


KY.......

[lindysalsagal]

29. Early reports on the mask mandate are mixed.

Some known frumpers did arrive with masks. A few are even vaccinated, and so have totally come around. One was pulling it on and off the entire time. One was unusually quiet and less sociable. It was a shock to see the group take a stand with science.

Others have been no-shows, entirely. The initial loss seems to be about 25%. Some because they believe in the science and are still not willing to be near others, regardless of masking.

Some might be quitters on principle. There are outdoor activities planned, so it will be interesting to see if the frumpers attend without masks. That, in turn, might drive more science people away.

The larger group, who were asking for the vax/masks, and showed up, seemed relived and happy.

So, the final word looks like it will be to follow the CDC, and, btw, they did ask for vax cards. The group chose science, and it will continue.

[lindysalsagal]

31. Update: this group has all 3 options happening

1. Some anti-vaxxers are getting vaxxed
2. Some are wearing masks for medical reasons
3. Some are quitting.

A mixed bag, but the larger group is fully functional, thriving, and relieved. Science wins.