Social Media Worry

[k1p1ssk]

So, MA DPH announced that all students K-12 + college are required to have a flu vaccine by 12/31/20. I posted a snarky FB status about how many people will suddenly have religious exemptions this year and a former friend (and VEHEMENT anti-vaxxer) has now effectively threatened to report me to my school district for "religious discrimination". My FB is "private" (but is it really that private?) and she has since sent me private messages saying she would never report me, but I am now very worried. Does anyone have any experience with this? Should I just delete my account now? I've been considering it for the past several years because I Just feel like FB is mentally draining anyway, and this would be the straw that broke the camel's back...

[MegWorth]

On 8/20/2020 at 9:10 AM, k1p1ssk said:

Thank you all for your perspective. I unfriended her as soon as she made the "threat". At that point she started sending me DMs, continuing to tell me how stupid it was that I publicly posted that because someone could report me, which that is what worries me the most, that she did screenshot it and is laying in wait. We went back and forth and I finally just told her I was sorry if I offended her, that I was taking the post down, and wished her well. She continued to message me but I'm done responding. I have alerted my nurse leader that the exchange occurred, and apologized for posting in the first place. She agreed that the district likely would not even entertain a complaint like this, especially in this time, but you never know. Sigh. I really hate social media now, but it is so ingrained in my life it is difficult to remember that people can be nasty, even so called friends.

You handle yourself well. Some people are too sensitive and petty. Threatening people’s livelihood because you didn’t like their joke or opinion is beyond ridiculous. Some people are so miserable with themselves that they have no problem ruining other people’s lives. You sound like a very kind person and I am happy your nurse leader has your back. Think happy thoughts!

[DannyBoy8, RN]

facebook is for social and vacation pictures. Leave it at the and you'll never have another worry.

[beachynurse, ASN, BSN]

On 8/26/2020 at 8:52 AM, Flare said:

Typically, you cant' pick and choose your vaccines based on religion. Often it's all or nothing. If the child has received all of their routine vaccines in the past and suddenly they are now claiming that they won't vaccinate because of their religion, then one can assume that they have either changed religions or are now interpreting something with new guidance. I mean unless people just use religious exemption as an excuse to not get an immunization when it isn't actually a bonafide tenet of their beliefs.

Unless you live in my school disctrict... LOL. They can pick and choose and I don't have a leg to stand on.. Our form is rediculous.

[k1p1ssk, BSN, RN]

3 hours ago, beachynurse said:

Unless you live in my school disctrict... LOL. They can pick and choose and I don't have a leg to stand on.. Our form is rediculous.

I feel for you. We don't have a standard exemption form, it's up to the parents to provide a letter that mentions the state law, but that is easy enough to Google, which is why we don't have a form! If you can be bothered to "educate" yourself on how "harmful" vaccines are, you can figure out how to exempt your children from them without my help!

[noneYet]

I think you've already heard some sage truth from a few folks here. Your remark, as you relayed it to us, seems pretty benign. It would be a real stretch to show that your remark amounts to discrimination, and I expect most school boards would dismiss any such claim as quickly as they could. (Your old friend isn't related to a senator, are they? ?) Even if the claim were assiduously pursued, I think it would be hard to prove. My only additional advice was going to be that, especially since this is a former friend, good communication is usually..., well, good. But you say you've tried that, too. I still might say that, if your xfriend's messages continue, and if their tone becomes less combative, reopening that channel might not hurt. As for ditching social media, I think more folks should try it. Or at least dial it WAAAY back. Otherwise, I think I'm just chiming in to be one more voice in the chorus saying, "don't sweat it."

[k1p1ssk, BSN, RN]

8 hours ago, noneYet said:

I think you've already heard some sage truth from a few folks here. Your remark, as you relayed it to us, seems pretty benign. It would be a real stretch to show that your remark amounts to discrimination, and I expect most school boards would dismiss any such claim as quickly as they could. (Your old friend isn't related to a senator, are they? ?) Even if the claim were assiduously pursued, I think it would be hard to prove. My only additional advice was going to be that, especially since this is a former friend, good communication is usually..., well, good. But you say you've tried that, too. I still might say that, if your xfriend's messages continue, and if their tone becomes less combative, reopening that channel might not hurt. As for ditching social media, I think more folks should try it. Or at least dial it WAAAY back. Otherwise, I think I'm just chiming in to be one more voice in the chorus saying, "don't sweat it."

 While the messages continued for another hour or so beyond my last response to her, I stopped responding and "left her on read". She seems to have gotten the hint and hasn't reached out any more. This is the same person who moved out of state because Mass banned flavored vapes. Vape = lyfe and vaccines = death in her mind, apparently. The funny thing is that this whole shebang happened after I made a conscious decision to step away from FB at the beginning of March due to the rampant COVID misinformation being spread around.  I'm back on the "just keep scrolling" mentality. Sometimes I wonder why I'm a nurse when I despise people so much ?

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

On 9/2/2020 at 8:46 AM, k1p1ssk said:

 While the messages continued for another hour or so beyond my last response to her, I stopped responding and "left her on read". She seems to have gotten the hint and hasn't reached out any more. This is the same person who moved out of state because Mass banned flavored vapes. Vape = lyfe and vaccines = death in her mind, apparently. The funny thing is that this whole shebang happened after I made a conscious decision to step away from FB at the beginning of March due to the rampant COVID misinformation being spread around.  I'm back on the "just keep scrolling" mentality. Sometimes I wonder why I'm a nurse when I despise people so much ?

You don't despise all people, love. Just the acutely jerktastic ones.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

Info from Vanderbilt re organized religion and those that have religious exceptions, read it, it is interesting...

https://www.vumc.org/health-wellness/news-resource-articles/immunizations-and-religion

[yaRNthrower, BSN, RN]

Do not worry my left leaning decrease:)))

I am a school nurse and I only see this stated as a fact.

I have already had more affidavits than usual this year.

She can get happy on the same hand she got mad on.

You put that ugliness behind you.

Hugs.

[cherieRN]

Thanks for sharing that article! I work at a Catholic school and received an email about how some COVID-19 vaccines are being made using "aborted fetus' cells" and that it's wrong to receive such a vaccine. Liiittle nervous. 

[Soloist, LPN]

I would point out that even though the majority of Christians say they object to abortion there is a wide difference in understanding of what abortion is and this would effect someone's personal views on the cell line use. 

As far as Catholics go, the official position actually is apposed to it, but sees it as necessary until other versions have been made. The Vatican actually made a statement a number of years back to this effect but given the lack of emphasis on ethical vaccines out of Catholics, its easy to say they don't really care. That being said, there are some that care... see https://cogforlife.org

In my experience as a Christian and talking to other conservative Christian groups the division on vaccines falls on some common lines.

1: all vaccines are bad because they have chemicals in them. 

2: we vaccinate with everything but ones for STD's 

3: we don't vaccinate for whatever reason excuses me. 

4: We do all vaccines minus the ones using fetal cells

Not that many understand how vaccines are grown and object to them for the abortion connection. 

I converted to my personal beliefs after being fully vaccinated so it hasn't been an issue. I have been watching the covid vaccines closely and am hopeful that an option for me will be available that isn't grown on a fetal cell line as we as nurses will be one of the first groups to be vaccinated likely not by law, but company requirements. 

These religious groups do not have a collective group think on their doctrines or positions. There is a large amount of diversity among every group. 

I'm actually concerned that the few of us who have already had strong objections to specific vaccines will be overlooked as a convenience choice as people climb on whatever bandwagon they can to try and get out of the new vaccine... I anticipate multiple states passing laws banning philosophical and religious objections to vaccines. 

[Golden_RN, MSN]

My friend is a teacher, has a private fb account and said something snarky/funny in a facebook group (NOT related to work at all).  Someone in the group didn't like what she said, googled her, found the school she works at, and called & emailed the principal trying to get her fired.  Anything put on fb is a risk.  I have totally stopped posting on most social media.  I'm mostly a lurker... : )