Thread by @EricHolthaus

My parents are in this photo and I don’t like it

https://twitter.com/NateSilver538/status/1375831005001621505

Honestly though, I’m at the “withholding time with grandkids” stage of pressuring them to go the 4 miles into town where vaccine appointments are ready and waiting but they still refuse. I’m not sure what to do. 💔

Their reasons for vaccine hesitancy:

- Afraid of possible side effects
- Don’t like “being forced”
- Afraid of what family & friends will think of them
- Peer pressure “75% of people around here won’t get it”
- “I might die of Covid but I also might die in a car crash tomorrow"

I told them that in their community, with a 25% vaccination rate, Covid will continue indefinitely. There will be people dying preventatively forever. By getting vaccinated, they can save their own lives but save other lives too.

I can’t just agree to disagree on this.

My mom cries every time we Zoom with her and she gets to talk to my kids. My youngest was still in diapers when the pandemic started. He’s 4.5 now.

I’m really really hoping they’ll come around soon, because it’s breaking my heart.