# Convincing acquaintances, friends, and family to get vaccinated **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [August 7, 2021, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convincing-acquaintances-friends-and-family-to-get-vaccinated/948172 "2021-08-07T00:41:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2021, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convincing-acquaintances-friends-and-family-to-get-vaccinated/948172/121 "2021-09-04T14:35:40Z")
I dunno – her doctor told her to wait. Maybe it’s relevant that that was early in the vaccine rollout, and vaccine was in short supply. ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2021, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convincing-acquaintances-friends-and-family-to-get-vaccinated/948172/122 "2021-09-04T14:43:53Z")
If she was only going to be on methotrexate temporarily, I can see waiting, but usually it is more of a longer-term medication. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2021, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convincing-acquaintances-friends-and-family-to-get-vaccinated/948172/123 "2021-09-04T14:47:01Z")
Yes, it was temporary. I’m sorry, I thought that was implied by the rest of my post. And she got vaccinated shortly after she was off the methotrexate. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2021, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convincing-acquaintances-friends-and-family-to-get-vaccinated/948172/124 "2021-09-04T15:06:28Z")
> [@Jd11100](#): > > So, I’ve been lurking around here for a while but always chicken out before I post. Let’s hear more from ya! 🙂 > [@Jd11100](#): > > …I don’t know what I’m going to do, this sucks so much! I’m so tired of being scared for him, and everyone. This whole thing is unbelievably exhausting… I am so sorry you’re going through this. You say you’re no good at arguing, but as we’ve said around here, you **can’t** argue with these people! Your anger, frustration, fear, and yes your caring for him come through loud and clear. It’s an impossible situation to feel good in. I’m a widow, no kids, live alone, so I don’t have to put up with what you’re up against… but I also don’t get any hugs _ever_, even make-up hugs from a guy I want to smack into next Tuesday… it is truly exhausting. Don’t be chicken about posting. 🐣 🐔 You don’t want to get all pent up and have your head explode 🤯 ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2021, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convincing-acquaintances-friends-and-family-to-get-vaccinated/948172/125 "2021-09-04T15:35:44Z")
> [@Jd11100](#): > > Now he’s just all in a “the government can’t tell me what to do” mindset That sounds like an emotional, rather than a rational argument. So i think the most productive response is emotional. “Honey, please, I’m so worried, and it would make me happy and less stressed if you could just get vaccinated. Don’t do it for the government, do it for me, for my peace of mind.” The follow-up is that there’s tons of evidence it’s safe. My apologies if you’ve already tried this. ---
**Author:** ![Jd11100](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c4cdca/32.png) [@Jd11100](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jd11100)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2021, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convincing-acquaintances-friends-and-family-to-get-vaccinated/948172/126 "2021-09-04T17:30:47Z")
Thank you all, I feel better getting it out there at least. Sometimes just hearing from normal people is a relief. It would really suck if the whole world fell off the deep end. 🤗 from me ThelmaLou, I wish it could be real. We all need them. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2021, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convincing-acquaintances-friends-and-family-to-get-vaccinated/948172/127 "2021-09-04T18:21:12Z")
Thanks for telling your story and you’re a pretty good writer. I hope you keep posting. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2021, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convincing-acquaintances-friends-and-family-to-get-vaccinated/948172/128 "2021-09-04T19:08:41Z")
> [@Jd11100](#): > > He’s at work now and I just want him to come home cause I need a hug Glad you came by, hope you do often~most of us are harmless. Most. Try searching out and reading @JaneDoe42’s posts. She is in much the same spot as you and _ **I** _ always feel better after reading her stuff, plus you get some great pet pictures. Here’s some magic imaginary internet friends hugs for you **{{{{ Jd11100 }}}}**. ---
**Author:** ![Jd11100](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c4cdca/32.png) [@Jd11100](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jd11100)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2021, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convincing-acquaintances-friends-and-family-to-get-vaccinated/948172/129 "2021-09-04T19:41:10Z")
Thank you! I’m pretty familiar with @JaneDoe42 and her kitties. She’s great and I’ve been living vicariously through her for a while. If only I had her confidence. I do have a pretty cute mutt though. Maybe I’ll figure out how to link pictures. ---
**Author:** ![teelabrown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teelabrown/32/8412_2.png) [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2021, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convincing-acquaintances-friends-and-family-to-get-vaccinated/948172/130 "2021-09-04T19:57:48Z")
Sometimes I picture the spouse of one of these deniers bringing home a revolver with twenty chambers and one bullet. They put the bullet in one of the chambers and then play a one-handed game of Russian roulette in front of their spouse. They can say “Hey, the odds are in my favor. I even picked a twenty-chamber revolver, so the odds are even more favorable! And don’t tell me not to play this game, because I don’t like being told what to do!” See how they like it. And, **Jd11100** , since you’ve been following these threads, I’m sure you’ve seen the link to the [sorryantivaxxer](https://www.sorryantivaxxer.com/) website. If you show him this website, do you think it would do any good? ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2021, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convincing-acquaintances-friends-and-family-to-get-vaccinated/948172/131 "2021-09-04T20:05:00Z")
Confidence? Me??? I think you are mistaking fury for confidence. At least the idiot is fully vaccinated now. I do feel for you. I know how scary it is to watch someone you love with all your being risking their life needlessly and foolishly. I think that many people feel they can’t back down after all this time. Bullheadness also kills ☹ > [@Jd11100](#): > > I do have a pretty cute mutt though. Maybe I’ll figure out how to link pictures. Dogs are fun, too! There are a lot of free phone hosting sites out there. I use flickr because it was the first one I found, other sites might be better. I save the photo to my desk top so I can find it again, upload it to flickr, then copy the URL and paste it in my post. It took a few tries at first, so don’t get discouraged if your first attempt flops. Of course, if you get it right the first time, feel free to come back and mock me 😆 ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2021, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convincing-acquaintances-friends-and-family-to-get-vaccinated/948172/132 "2021-09-04T20:06:10Z")
@Jd11100 Have you considered offering him a deal: - he gets the vaccine in order to allay _your_ concerns, and, in exchange, - the next time the knuckle-draggers head to DC and attempt to overthrow the tyrannical US government, you’ll be right there with them … you know … in an effort to allay _his_ concerns ?? Win-win ! Just a thought 😉 [sorry you’re going through this] ---
**Author:** ![Jd11100](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c4cdca/32.png) [@Jd11100](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jd11100)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2021, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convincing-acquaintances-friends-and-family-to-get-vaccinated/948172/133 "2021-09-04T20:43:28Z")
You guys are great, not sure what I was scared of. Thanks for the helpful advise. I’ll try some and work on things a little more slowly instead of losing my shit. Except @DavidNRockies, that might be a little to close to reality for comfort. I don’t really think he would but I was waiting to see if any of his friends or brothers got picked up. Sadly, he seems to be one of the more sensible people around here. Here goes nothing… his name is Wicket and this is a little old cause he has pandemic hair right now. [Wicket [Wicket - Album on Imgur](https://imgur.com/a/ws9wzcF)](Wicket [Wicket - Album on Imgur](https://imgur.com/a/ws9wzcF)) ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2021, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convincing-acquaintances-friends-and-family-to-get-vaccinated/948172/134 "2021-09-04T21:14:44Z")
> [@teelabrown](#): > > And, **Jd11100** , since you’ve been following these threads, I’m sure you’ve seen the link to the [sorryantivaxxer](https://www.sorryantivaxxer.com/) website. If you show him this website, do you think it would do any good? Whoa! I haven’t seen that website. YIkes. 😲 Good one. > [@JaneDoe42](#): > > I think you are mistaking fury for confidence. Hey! In a dim room no one can tell those two things apart. 😉 > [@Jd11100](#): > > his name is Wicket and this is a little old cause he has pandemic hair right now. He is adorbs!! ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2021, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convincing-acquaintances-friends-and-family-to-get-vaccinated/948172/135 "2021-09-04T21:17:18Z")
Wicket is adorable! Good medicine for stress, I’m sure. I take it you’re fully vaxxed. Did your husband give you grief about getting vaccinated? Just trying to better understand how much of his stance is genuine anxiety over safety and how much is stubborn commitment to his political worldview. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2021, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convincing-acquaintances-friends-and-family-to-get-vaccinated/948172/136 "2021-09-04T23:46:31Z")
> [@Jd11100](#): > > Now he’s just all in a “the government can’t tell me what to do” mindset and I’m scared to death. Let me add my welcome to the others. I hope he doesn’t drive drunk, because doing so is dangerous to both him and others. (I hope.) The government tells him not to do that also. Not everything the government says is wrong. If you need any facts, my wife has written two books on vaccines (pre-Covid) and one might be in your local library. They are priced to be library books. But I’m betting facts aren’t the issue here, right? Stay safe! ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2021, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convincing-acquaintances-friends-and-family-to-get-vaccinated/948172/137 "2021-09-05T01:05:00Z")
“Facts”?? Don’t need no stinkin’ facts! ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2021, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convincing-acquaintances-friends-and-family-to-get-vaccinated/948172/138 "2021-09-05T03:00:57Z")
> [@Jd11100](#): > > his name is Wicket and this is a little old cause he has pandemic hair right now. He’s a little cutie-patootie! I think most of us have pandemic hair nowadays, Wicket is in good company 🙂 > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Hey! In a dim room no one can tell those two things apart. Rage does make me all large and in charge, but so does fear. > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > “Facts”?? Don’t need no stinkin’ facts! Actually, they have other “facts” including the fact that the numbers are fake, COVID was made in a lab and masks kill people. It really does present as though they have had a stroke and have forgotten that they have a hand or something. Their minds are made up, the only news they absorb is news they agree with and anything coming from any other source is dismissed out of hand. It sucks. ---
**Author:** ![Jd11100](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c4cdca/32.png) [@Jd11100](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jd11100)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2021, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convincing-acquaintances-friends-and-family-to-get-vaccinated/948172/139 "2021-09-05T12:22:04Z")
I’m trying to catch up. Did I mention we have 6 kids between us, three are married and don’t live with us. Also, 4 grandkids. That’s only to say that my life is always some level of complete chaos and I will tend to disappear, especially around dinner time. I am vaccinated, and so are my kids. My daughter in law waited a little because she was pregnant. Agree or not I understood her hesitancy and didn’t blame her. She was as careful as she could be and got it done right after he was born. They don’t live with us and are in a different state. My other son does live with us but I’m in the process of getting him moved up north with his brother. So basically we all just live in two different realities in the same house. I’ll be relieved to get him out of here. The whole thing’s very complicated and lock downs made it even more so. He doesn’t actually think it’s dangerous. When we went it was kind of a shrug and head shake. All of this is just excuses. [Ffs, I can’t figure out how to quote people] @nelliebly nailed it. “stubborn commitment to his political worldview” ---
**Author:** ![Jd11100](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c4cdca/32.png) [@Jd11100](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jd11100)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2021, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convincing-acquaintances-friends-and-family-to-get-vaccinated/948172/140 "2021-09-05T12:40:57Z")
This is interesting and I actually thought about doing an entirely new thread about it. But this is hard and I’m going to have a really busy day. My husbands brother is also “an expert”. Batshit crazy and living in a weird government conspiracy land but he’s some kind of genius according to the family. He does have 2 PHDs, in biology and pharmaceutical research. And as far as I can tell he’s always been completely anti vaxx. My husband isn’t though. His kids have all their normal shots. And he’s been critical of his brother for it before. But now… This is rambling and I can’t sit and think right now but I wanted to comment so we could come back to it [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convincing-acquaintances-friends-and-family-to-get-vaccinated/948172.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convincing-acquaintances-friends-and-family-to-get-vaccinated/948172.md?page=8)