Is it OK to dehumanize the unvaccinated?

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I’ve seen a massive amount of posts here that espouse this viewpoint, using frustration in the name of tearing down fellow nurses. I fully support vaccines, but do not support any element of rhetoric that encourages dehumanizing those who choose not to get vaccinated. Is this dangerous viewpoint something we must now all believe in the name of “public health?”

Of note, minorities are far less likely to get vaccinated than whites—so in New York, for example, where the unvaccinated are not allowed to engage in normal society, this is basically modern-day segregation. Are we, as nurses (the most trusted profession), propagating the rhetoric that helps these ideas become reality?

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
4 minutes ago, Esrun777 said:

I’ve seen a massive amount of posts here that espouse this viewpoint, using frustration in the name of tearing down fellow nurses. I fully support vaccines, but do not support any element of rhetoric that encourages dehumanizing those who choose not to get vaccinated. Is this dangerous viewpoint something we must now all believe in the name of “public health?”

Of note, minorities are far less likely to get vaccinated than whites—so in New York, for example, where the unvaccinated are not allowed to engage in normal society, this is basically modern-day segregation. Are we, as nurses (the most trusted profession), propagating the rhetoric that helps these ideas become reality?

No one is dehumanizing the unvaccinated. The unvaccinated should stay home or mask up and social distance if they must leave their homes.  The unvaccinated represent risk and threat of disease and economic uncertainty to local communities and businesses.  

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Just now, toomuchbaloney said:

No one is dehumanizing the unvaccinated. The unvaccinated should stay home or mask up and social distance if they must leave their homes.  The unvaccinated represent risk and threat of disease and economic uncertainty to local communities and businesses.  

Okay, so it isn’t okay to dehumanize them. Just wanted to make sure. 

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
5 minutes ago, Esrun777 said:

Okay, so it isn’t okay to dehumanize them. Just wanted to make sure. 

You made a claim based upon your feelings rather than facts.  No one is dehumanizing the unvaccinated.  Your premise is an emotional representation of your feelings about the conflict. 

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Specializes in expertise in hospital leadership.

I work in the ED for the first hospital system to mandate the vaccine for employees. 

In the emergency department we are not dehumanizing, rather running out of compassion for those unvaccinated patients that are now overwhelming the healthcare system. The nurses have now been running on empty for almost 1.5 years and we are all exhausted and frustrated.

It takes a lot for nurses to get to this point as we are probably one of the most compassionate sectors in the world.

From a Tired ED Director

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Specializes in Hospice.

Still with the unsupported assertions about the demographics of the unvaccinated. Not to mention the total lack of support or understanding for the emotional burdens carried by exhausted colleagues tasked with cleaning up the consequences of those choosing to remain unvaccinated.

Personally, while I do not support denying care to the unvaccinated, I do think that those who freely choose this course should pay the costs of that care.

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54 minutes ago, Esrun777 said:

Of note, minorities are far less likely to get vaccinated than whites—so in New York, for example, where the unvaccinated are not allowed to engage in normal society, this is basically modern-day segregation. Are we, as nurses (the most trusted profession), propagating the rhetoric that helps these ideas become reality?

According to this poll, 56% of unvaccinated are white. It also shows that of people who are not vaccinated, those who say they will "definitely not" get the vaccine (vs those who say they will "wait and see") are 74% white.

Who Are the Unvaccinated in America? There’s No One Answer. - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

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40 minutes ago, Horseshoe said:

According to this poll, 56% of unvaccinated are white. It also shows that of people who are not vaccinated, those who say they will "definitely not" get the vaccine (vs those who say they will "wait and see") are 74% white.

Who Are the Unvaccinated in America? There’s No One Answer. - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Yes, because we are a majority white COUNTRY. Take a look at New York specifically though, because that is where these mandates are the strictest. Here are the demographics showing why these mandates are clearly targeting minorities. 

https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/vaccine-demographic-data

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Specializes in expertise in hospital leadership.

Speaking of New York...I haven't been following those edicts, but let me tell you how scary it is in Texas......

No one can mandate masks or ask for proof of vaccination...oh and now hospitals are going to be required to allow visitation with COVID patients.

Our children will probably not have many teachers, as the schools are no longer going to be able to afford virtual education as it is not supported by our governor.

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3 minutes ago, keward01 said:

Speaking of New York...I haven't been following those edicts, but let me tell you how scary it is in Texas......

No one can mandate masks or ask for proof of vaccination...oh and now hospitals are going to be required to allow visitation with COVID patients.

Our children will probably not have many teachers, as the schools are no longer going to be able to afford virtual education as it is not supported by our governor.

I live in Texas. If the governor and other powers that be (looking at you TEA) purposely wanted to infect as many people as possible, I don't know what they would actually do differently. Not sure why they are hoping to see our COVID numbers rise so dramatically unless the goal is to achieve herd immunity through infection.

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1 minute ago, keward01 said:

Speaking of New York...I haven't been following those edicts, but let me tell you how scary it is in Texas......

No one can mandate masks or ask for proof of vaccination...oh and now hospitals are going to be required to allow visitation with COVID patients.

Our children will probably not have many teachers, as the schools are no longer going to be able to afford virtual education as it is not supported by our governor.

That is scary. It’s also scary when kids have nowhere to go because schools are closed many of them starving and in abusive homes, or to be targeted with mandates and having to prove yourself because you are a minority (or otherwise) who is not vaccinated. 

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