Rant About Covid Antivaxxers

Nurses COVID

Updated:   Published

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We have all dealt with chronic care patients who keep coming back to the hospital because they have COPD and refuse to stop smoking, have CHF but can't be bothered to be compliant with their medications, or they are ESRD but they won't change their lifestyle, yet expect to be rescued whenever they eat a bucket of chicken while drinking a case of soda but can't make their dialysis appointment.

A more experienced nurse told me in my first two years of nursing that she thought 20% of the population used 80% of hospital and healthcare resources. I admit my dentist has used every tactic to try to get me to floss daily... what can I say? Some habits are best learned when very young - I just can't get it done. That point being, that even intelligent people (me...LOL) can't always be made to follow a long term treatment plan if the risk of not following it, doesn't feel real. 

Covid antivaxxers... I am sorry to say I am all dystopian fantasy about this. It is all those chronic illness frustrations rolled into risk of death in the fast lane scenario. I am nearly radicalized. I think that anyone who refuses to mask, get vaccinated, wash their hands while propagating myths about fake news should be required to get a special tattoo.  

Then when they show up in the ED with Covid symptoms, and test positive... we ask to see the spot where the tattoo is mandated to be placed. When it proves they are fake news antivaxxers... they are escorted out of the hospital by a team in space suits to "the fairgrounds". The fairgrounds has a fence and armed guards and plenty of organic food, water, shelter, sleeping arrangements.... no phones, no computers, no Fox News, no radio.... make them be inside their own heads. Have them reassure each other it isn't real until those around them die.  If they actually survive and can agree to be vaccinated before being released... then they can be released. 

My county is full of fake news people. We have a vaccination rate of 49% county wide. Covid admissions are up in the region and at our hospital. We don't have that big of a hospital. Having 8-11 Covid cases is a lot for us. 2 of the 12 ICU beds and the nurses caring for them is a lot. 

You don't believe Covid is real? Then we will allow you to continue with your thoughts and beliefs when you contract it, you will battle it alone at "the fairgrounds". Yes visitors are welcome... but if they enter, they cannot leave. 

Seriously... we need the right to refuse to serve those who threaten our lives and families. They expect to be saved? Darwinian ideas full scale. We are only interfering with it when we try to save these idiots.

I said it was a rant... whew... 

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Hello, @SunDazed, we have moved your post to the COVID forum. 

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Specializes in CMSRN, hospice.

I both hear and feel your frustration. I assume most of us have at least one loved one like this, which makes it all the more agitating. No, I don't want to make this person feel ridiculed for their beliefs or violated in any way - but I sure wish they'd just suck it up and get the vaccine!

It doesn't help that this person also regularly inundates me with said fake news several times a week. Emails, articles, texts - the whole nine yards. I worked on a COVID unit. My mind isn't changing about how dangerous this is; all they're accomplishing is annoying one of the only people who will still put up with them!

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@SunDazed I'm fairly certain that most of us have entertained some version of your fantasy at some point during this mess but are too chicken to voice it. ?

Personally I think we need a deadline for people who are on the fence about it (because the ones who aren't going to get it aren't going to get it) and after the deadline we should ship most of our vaccine supply to countries whose residents want it but don't have access. Better than letting it expire on the shelves. Save enough for second vaccines and those who have to wait to get it for medical reasons. Those who opt out for personal or political reasons will just have to deal with the consequences or have to find it for themselves. 

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3 hours ago, NightNerd said:

It doesn't help that this person also regularly inundates me with said fake news several times a week. Emails, articles, texts - the whole nine yards. I worked on a COVID unit. My mind isn't changing about how dangerous this is; all they're accomplishing is annoying one of the only people who will still put up with them!

That is in my opinion, so incredibly disrespectful. That person isn’t demonstrating any understanding or empathy for what you’ve experienced. It’s a pity you can’t offer them the grand tour of a Covid ICU unit. I assume this is someone really close to you, or you wouldn’t be putting up with that treatment. Truth be told, I don’t think I could, or would. Just wanted to say that I’m genuinely sorry that you have to deal with this. 

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LOL, your vent reminds me of this scene at 2:04. We all probably fantasize about how we could right the wrongs that bug us.

 

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11 hours ago, SunDazed said:

You don't believe Covid is real? Then we will allow you to continue with your thoughts and beliefs when you contract it, you will battle it alone at "the fairgrounds". Yes visitors are welcome... but if they enter, they cannot leave. 

Seriously... we need the right to refuse to serve those who threaten our lives and families. They expect to be saved? Darwinian ideas full scale. We are only interfering with it when we try to save these idiots.

I said it was a rant... whew... 

OP, I liked your post because I empathize with your frustration, not because I think that people who don’t believe Covid is real and who refuse to be vaccinated, should be made to wear a tattoo or be denied care. 

I think they should receive care just like any other human being. However, that won’t stop me from regarding them as massively egotistical and immensely ill-informed. 
 

 

(Horseshoe, that movie is ??)

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Specializes in Emergency Department.
20 hours ago, SunDazed said:

Then when they show up in the ED with Covid symptoms, and test positive... we ask to see the spot where the tattoo is mandated to be placed. When it proves they are fake news antivaxxers... they are escorted out of the hospital by a team in space suits to "the fairgrounds". The fairgrounds has a fence and armed guards and plenty of organic food, water, shelter, sleeping arrangements.... no phones, no computers, no Fox News, no radio.... make them be inside their own heads. Have them reassure each other it isn't real until those around them die.  If they actually survive and can agree to be vaccinated before being released... then they can be released. 

You don't believe Covid is real? Then we will allow you to continue with your thoughts and beliefs when you contract it, you will battle it alone at "the fairgrounds". Yes visitors are welcome... but if they enter, they cannot leave. 

Seriously... we need the right to refuse to serve those who threaten our lives and families. They expect to be saved? Darwinian ideas full scale. We are only interfering with it when we try to save these idiots.

I said it was a rant... whew... 

Oh dear, you said aloud what is in my head. ??????

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Specializes in Pacu.

You forget to mention how the COVID vaccine is not FDA approved, how vaccinated people still get COVID and most importantly how the Government or your employer should never take away your rights by forcing anything into your body.

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On 7/31/2021 at 10:07 PM, Lifer said:

You forget to mention how the COVID vaccine is not FDA approved, how vaccinated people still get COVID and most importantly how the Government or your employer should never take away your rights by forcing anything into your body.

Hi there and welcome..

Which of the Covid-19 vaccines used in the U.S., is the one that you are referring to as the vaccine?

I suspect that they might get full approval sometime this fall, perhaps sooner. What’s your guess?

I don’t think that OP forgot to mention those things, I suspect that OP might even be ranting a bit about people who express the opinions you just did ?

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Specializes in Public Health, TB.
On 7/31/2021 at 10:07 PM, Lifer said:

You forget to mention how the COVID vaccine is not FDA approved, how vaccinated people still get COVID and most importantly how the Government or your employer should never take away your rights by forcing anything into your body.

Welcome, new poster/member!

All 3 COVID vaccines in use in our country have been authorized, I.e. approved, for emergency use. You know, an emergency like a global pandemic. 

The government is not forcing anything into your body. Mandates are not the same as force. Employers may set conditions of employment, including vaccination. 

Do you have any more hackneyed anti-vaccine messages you would like to share? 

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On 7/30/2021 at 9:57 AM, Horseshoe said:

LOL, your vent reminds me of this scene at 2:04. We all probably fantasize about how we could right the wrongs that bug us.

My favorite movie!

 

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