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Mary Ann Dimand's avatar

Meanwhile my friend E. is commenting on my fb that he follows the science, and if vaccines were "real" you wouldn't need to take boosters, and....

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Susan Campbell's avatar

Your friend E. isn't really following the science then, huh?

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Mary Ann Dimand's avatar

Well, you can always find the "science" you like.

E. prefers to speak/write both telegraphically and elliptically, and after about a year of figuring out part of what he's doing mentally* I think that this both exemplifies and is a major part of what he is going on about:

(1) E's long-term priority has been Not to Get Taken (which I knew)

(2) E is worried about the replication problem-- me too

(3) E's version of the replication problem is that experimental results are failing replication trials (I just learned: my version is that not enough replication trials are performed because they're underincented)

(4) That means that They are Lying to E.

(5) That means that those responsible for performing or funding most scientific research should be particularly doubted, because they're Lying to E.

(6) That means that "authorities" should be rejected, since most of those performing or funding scientific research are "authorities."

(7) That means that everything said/published by "authorities" (a variable term that strictly includes professionally credentialed people) is false.

(8) E feels safe from his primary concern, which is Getting Taken.

I am concerned for his wife and child, but don't perceive much I can do about it.

* Aside, obviously, from getting into the Bad Stuff politically.**

** Luckily E. is so very overmasteringly consumed by his hermeneutic of suspicion that I suspect his association is purely at the reading and reciting level, and that he's not doing personal relationships with these dudes.

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Susan Campbell's avatar

I get that.

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Paul Ashton's avatar

I had a friend like that. It got to the point that he almost never left the house.

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Mary Ann Dimand's avatar

I don't think he gets out much. He's a software engineer, so that's sustainable.

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Rich Colbert's avatar

Yet the “ louds” continue disrupting BOE’s with their anti-vax ranting, hell we even have 2 vax attackers running for Prez, RFK and that V guy! On a side note Medicare is now negotiating to get drug prices down. As Professor Richardson points out today this is happening even though not ONE Trumpublican supported the legislation enabling price sanity. Wondering if seniors still embedded in the cult will ever get it?!?

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Susan Campbell's avatar

I read the medications that are on the list. This could be game-changing for a lot of people.

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Rich Colbert's avatar

Eliquis is one of my meds....

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Susan Campbell's avatar

Then I shall add that medication (and you) to my prayer list.

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Paul Ashton's avatar

I, for one, am practicing rolling up my sleeve for the update that, hopefully, will be available in a few weeks. We caught Covid in the spring (after three years) and survived with no serious symptoms, never a cough or respiratory problems. I’ve had a few friends who have been through the same and are fine. So count me in.

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Susan Campbell's avatar

Same here. I imagine I've had it (like everyone else) but never tested positive for it.

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Ava's avatar

Since there are still so many walking Petri dishes supporting the continuing mutation of COVID, a nifty new subvariant is increasingly becoming dominant, It has fun capabilities like evading neutralizing antibodies, so it's easier to get and transmit, plus (bonus!) catching it won't confer immunity. Well done, "freedom" advocates. Even the slightest effort to protect yourself and others (like wearing a mask in public - or even not harassing those who do) is just far too grueling, an absolutely unreasonable expectation, right? And vaccines? Oh no, because scientists...science...youtube... something...something. And surely the increasing number of cases of polio and other preventable diseases aren't related to the almost indescribable stupidity of refusing vaccines? How's that freedumb working for all of us now?

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Lou's avatar

It is so hard to believe that there are people who are in this "do not comply" movement. This is the ultimate in selfishness. They want to walk around normally while carrying this virus. It is mind-bogging.

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