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PCIntern

(25,513 posts)
Sun Aug 1, 2021, 04:34 PM Aug 2021

Let me tell you why I know all the political and media right wingers are vaccinated

In the 1980s when I was a fledgling dentist, a man appeared in my office as a new patient. He was well-dressed well-comported, well-spoken gentleman who happened to be African-American, and was scared to death of dentistry and the dentist, and had been referred by someone he did not wish to name. This was not unusual in those days.

Interestingly, he was accompanied by a young, very well dressed, very well put together, Attractive woman, approximately 30 to 40 years his junior, who sat with him in the treatment room at all times. This was also not unusual among phobic patients. She declined to identify her relation to the gentleman, but as long as it was OK with him it was certainly all right with me.

Clinical examination revealed a dentition with severe bone loss, Inflammation and most teeth were not only mobile, but vertically depressible which means that they are considered terminal without doubt. I informed the gentleman that he was going to require full upper and lower dentures, that they could be made as immediate dentures so that he would never be without teeth, but because he had so many teeth remaining and the infection was so significant, I would prefer did an oral surgeon perform the extractions. He was very happy to hear this, because then he could receive general anesthesia which in his case, due to his phobia, was the requirement. I had just the surgeon in mind and made a few phone calls and accommodated him extremely well, and we were scheduled.

Of course it was time to discuss the fees and without hesitation he reached into his wallet and took out $500 cash to start. He had stated that he worked for the city, so I gently said that he might have insurance coverage, and he quickly demurred, And stated that he would pay for it in full with cash in any schedule which I deemed fit in the oral surgeon deemed fit. This caused my eyebrow to elevate slightly, but as long as I was being paid I didn’t really care about the mechanism. I fabricated the dentures for him, gave them to the oral surgeon for insertion, and this occurred on schedule. The surgeon referred him back to me for denture adjustments, I performed two adjustments which was very few considering, and the man disappeared from my practice never to be seen again.

Well, not quite never to be seen again, for one day I’m watching local news and I see That this very prominent local politician whose name I know well delivered a speech and there he is and there are my teeth smiling back at me on my 26 inch tube. At that exact moment I understood exactly what had occurred here: this famous gentleman did not want anyone to know that his teeth were in such disrepair and so rather than going to one of the big named Dentists who might recognize him from their political work in Center City, went to a competent but young practitioner who would not have considered that he was using a pseudonym on his health history.

no I am not saying that these congressman, senators, media plop Pol personalities, and others had to lie about who they were to get their vaccine, but experience tells me that there is much more going on medically than meets the eye, and that if the public knew all that was going on there would be a constant outcry of which representative is sicker than the other, or having more problems were has only a finite number of months or years to live which has been defined. Suffice it to say that I am virtually certain that all of these folks who do decry vaccination, masks, and social distancing are well-protected as are their families and none of them are willing to sacrifice their health or their lives for a so-called ideology of ignorance.

That being said, I’m a big believer in Darwinism and have long since abandoned the thought of altruism toward these Miscreants who refuse vaccination and health protection for the masses.

47 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Let me tell you why I know all the political and media right wingers are vaccinated (Original Post) PCIntern Aug 2021 OP
What a fascinating story, my dear PCIntern! CaliforniaPeggy Aug 2021 #1
Vaccinated politicians who push the anti-vax agenda should be held to higher degree of culpability. TheBlackAdder Aug 2021 #17
Just like gay politicians pushing & voting for anti-gay legislation. . . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Aug 2021 #19
he didnt want anyone to know he was afraid. mopinko Aug 2021 #2
I have to disagree... PCIntern Aug 2021 #3
I'm not afraid of NJCher Aug 2021 #7
Whatta' story NJCher Aug 2021 #4
My guess the young woman was a political aide Captain Zero Aug 2021 #6
Among other things.... PCIntern Aug 2021 #8
The confidentiality of the medical practitioner is not usually in question. It's being seen... Hekate Aug 2021 #25
Fascinating. Thank you for sharing. mwooldri Aug 2021 #5
I've heard lots of stories like that. ShazzieB Aug 2021 #13
Reluctance to get the vaccine was studied by the NY Times Thunderbeast Aug 2021 #9
Yes, a fear of needles to be sure FakeNoose Aug 2021 #39
The needles bit is a very big reason why my friend won't get it... róisín_dubh Aug 2021 #40
Compared to having blood drawn, the vax is over before it begins localroger Aug 2021 #42
Oh I know and I've had my vaccines. It was fine. róisín_dubh Aug 2021 #43
I'm a believer in Darwin and natural selection too. BlancheSplanchnik Aug 2021 #10
I am a firm believer in Darwin. 2Gingersnaps Aug 2021 #15
count me in that camp NJCher Aug 2021 #29
Like you, I get it. And I will not support or encourage it in any way. I don't care why or how ... marble falls Aug 2021 #11
wow, fascinating story & great insight into what's happening. thanks! bluboid Aug 2021 #12
Eh...I have never bought the afraid of needles theory Bengus81 Aug 2021 #14
Thanks for this story. momta Aug 2021 #16
This is why the mobile vax clinic at the Missouri fair got zero customers: everyone would see. . .nt Bernardo de La Paz Aug 2021 #18
Ahhhh. Excellent point. Hekate Aug 2021 #23
My wife the DDS approves this post. Aviation Pro Aug 2021 #20
Tell her I wish her well in the profession... PCIntern Aug 2021 #32
She's been in the field since the 1990s Aviation Pro Aug 2021 #37
Yes yes and yes. PCIntern Aug 2021 #38
Thank you. Kev80 Aug 2021 #21
Congratulations on your first post, glad you decided to join the discussion Rhiannon12866 Aug 2021 #31
Thank you. Kev80 Aug 2021 #44
Keep posting... PCIntern Aug 2021 #33
Thank you. Kev80 Aug 2021 #45
Welcome to DU Kev80! KS Toronado Aug 2021 #34
Thank you. Kev80 Aug 2021 #46
It's what I did for 10 years before joining KS Toronado Aug 2021 #47
Another fascinating story from the intersection of Dentistry and Politics... Hekate Aug 2021 #22
Wow... PCIntern Aug 2021 #27
Profound malaise Aug 2021 #28
Ya want the human comedy? 3Hotdogs Aug 2021 #36
I know they are all vaxed or the large majority Meowmee Aug 2021 #24
It's like VD testing dalton99a Aug 2021 #26
K&R Blue Owl Aug 2021 #30
Thanks for sharing. I suspect that events such as this, using pseudo names etc., for far more SWBTATTReg Aug 2021 #35
This message was self-deleted by its author Pepsidog Aug 2021 #41

CaliforniaPeggy

(149,560 posts)
1. What a fascinating story, my dear PCIntern!
Sun Aug 1, 2021, 04:43 PM
Aug 2021

You tell the story well; I was completely captivated throughout.

I am sure you're correct about the numbers of "important" folks who are well protected via vaccine while they espouse the contrary view.

Hypocrites, every single one of them.


TheBlackAdder

(28,179 posts)
17. Vaccinated politicians who push the anti-vax agenda should be held to higher degree of culpability.
Sun Aug 1, 2021, 06:34 PM
Aug 2021

.

It's one thing to be a wing-nut and not get vaccinated, and espouse anti-vax sentiment.

But if you are a truly self-serving fuck and get vaccinated, and then you dissuade others from seeking the vaccine, that is more of an indication that you are willfully placing people's lives at risk.

.

PCIntern

(25,513 posts)
3. I have to disagree...
Sun Aug 1, 2021, 05:12 PM
Aug 2021

Respectfully of course.

Everyone is afraid and is happy to admit it. No, this was an extreme degree of pathology tgat was fairly revolting by any standard. And my standards are very low.

NJCher

(35,644 posts)
7. I'm not afraid of
Sun Aug 1, 2021, 05:21 PM
Aug 2021

dentists or needles.

I tell the practitioner this up front. You would probably laugh at some of the reactions I've gotten. The last one was a comedy routine about the 'fraidy cats.

When calling for an appointment, I give them a specific, such as "11:00 a.m. on Thursday the 12th." Then they say thank you for that because usually they have to play a guessing game with the patient about when they want to come in. Wastes a lot of time.

A third thing I do that doctor's offices seem to like is I come in with all my documents in a little envelope. I give it to them and I also take care of the co-pay up front. The response to this a couple times was, "Thank you for being so organized."

But I digress.

NJCher

(35,644 posts)
4. Whatta' story
Sun Aug 1, 2021, 05:13 PM
Aug 2021

He knew he was taking no risk as there's this thing called patient confidentiality. Clever guy and I can't say as I blame him for doing what he did.

Hekate

(90,616 posts)
25. The confidentiality of the medical practitioner is not usually in question. It's being seen...
Sun Aug 1, 2021, 07:39 PM
Aug 2021

…by a member of the public, or being recognized by an unreliable office clerk or the like. “You’ll never guess who I saw entering the Women’s Clinic.” “You’ll never guess who I saw walking in to the AIDS Clinic.”

Could be bad for one’s reputation/career in any number of ways.

In the case of the man described, he was no doubt deeply ashamed of his phobia and deeply ashamed of the condition of his mouth, and did not want that shame exposed to comment in any way, shape, or form.

mwooldri

(10,302 posts)
5. Fascinating. Thank you for sharing.
Sun Aug 1, 2021, 05:15 PM
Aug 2021

Also reminds me of the stories I hear of anti abortionists turning to someone to get an abortion ... I can't name names, because I don't know. Turns out that a lot of right wing leaders are practitioners of "do as I say, not as I do".

ShazzieB

(16,348 posts)
13. I've heard lots of stories like that.
Sun Aug 1, 2021, 06:15 PM
Aug 2021

To hear people who work in abortion clinics tell it, there are many cases of regular clinic protestors who come in for an abortion (either for themselves or a daughter, etc.) and are back out there protesting again a few days later.

I am sure not all the forced birthers are that hypocritical, but it's amazing how many of them act like there's a different set of rules about whether about abortion should be permissible when they are the ones who are faced with an unwanted prregnancy.

Thunderbeast

(3,404 posts)
9. Reluctance to get the vaccine was studied by the NY Times
Sun Aug 1, 2021, 05:36 PM
Aug 2021

Reasons given: (obviously could vote for multiple reasons)

Side effects. 53%
Waiting to see if safe. 40%
Don't trust vaccines. 37%
Don't trust government. 27%
Don't believe I need it. 26%

I don't buy it!

When it comes down to it, I think a H U G E percentage of the population is terrified of needles. I think the above reasons are pure rationalizations. I wonder what the vaccination rate would be if it were delivered as an oral medication.

I would bet my last dollar that we would not be having this conversation if it were offered as a pill or a drop on a sugar cube (like the Sabin polio vaccine).

FakeNoose

(32,610 posts)
39. Yes, a fear of needles to be sure
Mon Aug 2, 2021, 10:26 AM
Aug 2021

... but also there's a large slice of people who REALLY think it's not going to happen to them.

Until it does ... and then it's too late.

róisín_dubh

(11,791 posts)
40. The needles bit is a very big reason why my friend won't get it...
Mon Aug 2, 2021, 10:29 AM
Aug 2021

which I frankly find hysterical because he's covered in tattoos, is a big burly Dutchman, and is a hunter. Now I get that people who are tattooed are often afraid of needles (I am terrified of having blood drawn and I'm tattooed).
I'm desperately trying to convince him. I convinced another friend to get vaccinated. I'm still working on my sister but I think she's a lost cause.

localroger

(3,622 posts)
42. Compared to having blood drawn, the vax is over before it begins
Mon Aug 2, 2021, 03:25 PM
Aug 2021

It's an intramuscular injection (so they don't have to find a vein) with a very thin, not very long needle and it's over almost before you can consciously register the pinprick. If you look away you'll barely even know it's happening.

róisín_dubh

(11,791 posts)
43. Oh I know and I've had my vaccines. It was fine.
Tue Aug 3, 2021, 12:26 PM
Aug 2021

Though I did once pass out during an MMR (or HepA, can't remember) injection. My deltoid seized and I had a vasovagal reaction. Fun times. I also have passed out during certain eye procedures (measuring corneal thickness for instance). It's mostly anxiety I guess.

BlancheSplanchnik

(20,219 posts)
10. I'm a believer in Darwin and natural selection too.
Sun Aug 1, 2021, 06:02 PM
Aug 2021

I admit I’ve often wondered, what is humanity to do with the stupids and pathologicals? I just didn’t expect to see it play out in front of me.

2Gingersnaps

(1,000 posts)
15. I am a firm believer in Darwin.
Sun Aug 1, 2021, 06:28 PM
Aug 2021

One of the finest books I have ever read, "Darwin's Ghosts," by Rebecca Stott. It was a history of the natural scientists from Aristotle on down through history that risked their reputations, livelihoods, arrest, even their lives against Church/State for the science of natural selection, including Darwin' own grandfather who did not publish because "he had eleven children to feed."

The book gave me a new appreciation for Leonardo Da Vinci and introduction to Dennis Diderot, whose name I see bandied about here but not much of anywhere else. LOL, it should be, he certainly had a hand in our Revolution.

My big problem is I have an extremely altruistic nature, and it is hard to accept that for my own mental health, I need to let go of that a tad. I honestly believed that ignorance was just not knowing better, that when presented with a logical argument, with evidence based conclusions, that people do better. Um, I truly did not believe willful ignorance was that big a thing.

Some where out there, after all his Carl Sagan and Isaac Asimov, my late husband is giving me that smirk and saying "I told you so." Gonna give him a pass, this time.

NJCher

(35,644 posts)
29. count me in that camp
Sun Aug 1, 2021, 08:50 PM
Aug 2021
Um, I truly did not believe willful ignorance was that big a thing.

And I never had too high an opinion of the intelligence of the citizens of this country in the first place.

I never, however, ever would have guessed this degree of willful ignorance.

This whole experience has taught me I have some misconceptions and not to be too confident in my beliefs and perceptions.



marble falls

(57,055 posts)
11. Like you, I get it. And I will not support or encourage it in any way. I don't care why or how ...
Sun Aug 1, 2021, 06:08 PM
Aug 2021

... they get vaxxed, but vaxxed they just have to be. And if they get Covid, I'm not as sympathetic as I would be if this weren't a freaking Pandemic.

Bengus81

(6,930 posts)
14. Eh...I have never bought the afraid of needles theory
Sun Aug 1, 2021, 06:19 PM
Aug 2021

This is way,way to divided along political lines. Nah...the FEAR is being caught getting the vaccine by a Trump humping/Qanon friend or family members who are just as crazed as Trumps domestic terrorists and those who think they are "owning" Biden by not getting a shot.

I don't think enough of them have died yet to really reverse this nonsense.



momta

(4,079 posts)
16. Thanks for this story.
Sun Aug 1, 2021, 06:34 PM
Aug 2021

I, too, am dentist-phobic. I have had the same dentist for about 25 years. He says I'm his oldest patient.

Before I found him I had gone to about three different dentists after we moved to Boulder, CO, with varying degrees of disappointment. And then a co-worker recommended him. I've always worried that he's going to retire or move, but no, he's been in the same office for 25 years, and has had the same hygienist for probably twenty of those.

Thanks for being a caring dentist.

PCIntern

(25,513 posts)
32. Tell her I wish her well in the profession...
Mon Aug 2, 2021, 07:04 AM
Aug 2021

It was never easy and now it’s approaching ridiculous.

Aviation Pro

(12,140 posts)
37. She's been in the field since the 1990s
Mon Aug 2, 2021, 09:55 AM
Aug 2021

And, yes, I have to hear about the frustrations every single day.

People simply do not understand:

1. The importance of oral hygiene to overall health.
2. That dentists perform surgery every single day.
3. That insurance companies have destroyed the profitably of dental offices.

Kev80

(26 posts)
21. Thank you.
Sun Aug 1, 2021, 07:06 PM
Aug 2021

I always appreciate reading your posts. I’m a PA guy, not from your area. I never post a reply, but have been reading DU for the past 15 years. Maybe I’ll start replying. By reading posts everyday, I feel like part of the DU family that no one knows of. Thank you for always telling a story from experience.

Rhiannon12866

(205,051 posts)
31. Congratulations on your first post, glad you decided to join the discussion
Mon Aug 2, 2021, 04:58 AM
Aug 2021

I'm always amazed when I notice a long time member who hasn't yet posted - but then you can tell by my post count that I'm not one of them - but I've been here since DU.1.

And welcome to our DU family, we're a community here and we're glad to have you with us...

Kev80

(26 posts)
44. Thank you.
Fri Aug 6, 2021, 04:34 PM
Aug 2021

I’m Irish and we tend to be listeners and sort it out later. My wife would tell you I never keep quiet. Especially when it comes to caring for other human beings.

Kev80

(26 posts)
45. Thank you.
Fri Aug 6, 2021, 04:41 PM
Aug 2021

When I was in college I dated a girl from Feasterville. That being said, my family has always been solid Democrats. The relationship didn’t work out, but this country bumpkin had his eyes opened even wider. Thank you for your posts.

Kev80

(26 posts)
46. Thank you.
Fri Aug 6, 2021, 04:51 PM
Aug 2021

Thank you. Maybe I’ll start being a little more vocal, but everyone here seem to have their hand on the pulse. I just enjoy reading the articles and reading the posts that follow.

Hekate

(90,616 posts)
22. Another fascinating story from the intersection of Dentistry and Politics...
Sun Aug 1, 2021, 07:23 PM
Aug 2021

…Dentistry and Socio-economic Class…. Dentistry and Psychology…

Who knew, when you embarked on this career, that you would encounter so much of what William Saroyan called the human comedy? (Saroyan, in his nod to Dante, was not writing humorously on the whole.)



3Hotdogs

(12,358 posts)
36. Ya want the human comedy?
Mon Aug 2, 2021, 09:22 AM
Aug 2021

Become a teacher.

Ya get to laugh at the kids, fellow teachers, administrators and parents.

I'll give you a parent one. 7th grade science teacher has kids at the lab table. There is a significant amount of giggling and tittering from 4 girls at a table in the back of the room. Teacher ambles to the back of the room and sees the girls with a big dildo.

She confiscates the dildo. At break, she calls the mother, "Mrs. ...., I want you to know what your daughter brought to class today."

Parent: "So that's where it went to."

Meowmee

(5,164 posts)
24. I know they are all vaxed or the large majority
Sun Aug 1, 2021, 07:33 PM
Aug 2021

Otherwise they would say they are not, refusing to answer is a giveaway. I hope someone can legally publicize it.

SWBTATTReg

(22,093 posts)
35. Thanks for sharing. I suspect that events such as this, using pseudo names etc., for far more
Mon Aug 2, 2021, 09:06 AM
Aug 2021

than just medical procedures would apply to literally everything else, by people like this.

When one is in the spotlight, it's difficult to even have a 'normal' life. It's like those stories you see on YouTube etc., about those who win the lottery, etc., their lives are forever changed, and one has all of a sudden, thousands of more friends and relatives that they didn't know they had before their good fortune. Can you imagine, never getting to go to a 'McDonald's', or doing anything 'normal' again? It would be a sad thing (IMHO).

Response to PCIntern (Original post)

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