Thread by @imaracingmom

OMG another thread! I want to dedicate this thread to @mikepesko, @JonathanFoulds, @jgitchell, and @ThaumaturgeRN. The scientists, consultant and RN. Also others who have participated in making me OK with the vaccine - both the health / science part and the fear of needles part.

While I am composing this thread 3 of my co-workers who weren't going to get vaxxed are at the pharmacy I was at yesterday, using their walk in program to get their vaccine. This is 2 anti-vaxxers and 1 fear of needles.

They are there because all of you got me there.

I had concerns about who I could trust. Michael was one of the people who questioned why some in my circles would be hesitant. He mentioned trust.

https://twitter.com/mikepesko/status/1416155681116368897

I honed in on that one and agreed it was an issue. I shared my families situation. (we're the high risk older folks). Michael acknowledged why I'd be concerned and expressed confidence in the need to vax.

https://twitter.com/mikepesko/status/1416255189028413441

Michael also mentioned maybe vape shops could help. I wasn't so agreeable about that idea, because of accusations made by TC people about THR people helping when the pandemic first hit.

https://twitter.com/mikepesko/status/1416256392462209024

This brings me to the 2 anti-vaxxers. The first one uses THC carts that are bought on the street. Many of us in the THR industry figured out the culprit long before the CDC / FDA said much. Some in the scientific community also got vocal first about what was happening with EVALI.

Through my vape shop, I have helped both anti-vaxxers stop smoking. When EVALI hit, I told every customer I don't care what they do in their private lives, but IF they use THC carts to please STOP. Smoke weed if they want to get high, don't vape it. My co-worker stopped.

She had a family member who didn't and ended up in the hospital. That gives me credibility with these 2 ladies. So, I sat down with them this morning and showed them tweets and PM's from some of you guys. They weren't so sure.

So, I went to google scholar and showed them some of your work. 1 of them pointed out rather quickly that it didn't seem that one of you was pro-vape. Well, I did the hand in the face thing right then and there. I asked her why she feels it's safer to vape than smoke?

She said because I told her it was safer and she knows I research all the time. I told her, these are some of the people who's research is in my notes. I don't want research from somebody that's pro-vape any more than I want research from someone who's anti-vape.

When I make a decision about my body, I want research from someone who's neutral, who is seeking the facts. I don't want someone's agenda, I want the truth. I don't want to tell people that this is a better option for them unless I believe with my heart and soul that's the truth.

I then explained that because I trust these people, I trust what they tell me about the vax and why it's safer to get it than to risk getting Covid. And then I talked about Bruce, who's been in the trenches for years, dealing with the things people do to their bodies.

I trust him. I trust his education, his experience, and how much he cares about people.

And then I directed my attention to the fear of needles lady. She's in tears just talking about it. I didn't know until yesterday she shares my fear.

I talked about my fear thread, and other fear threads since then.

https://twitter.com/imaracingmom/status/1417429910608662552

She recognizes Jonathan's name from my convo with the anti-vaxxers. Then I shared my conversations with Joe, the consultant. Isn't it a consultants job to know the ins and outs of things and to know how to help people make decisions at it? Let me tell you, Joe is dang good at it!

I shared what helped me to finally be brave enough to look past the needle and look towards all the people I want to be here for. She went through about 1/2 my box of kleenix, dealing with the anxiety of talking about this. The anti-vaxxers wrapped their arms around her.

It was the one with the fear that decided first to go get vaxxed. She asked the other 2 to go with her for support. They agreed and off they went. When they got to Thrifty one of them text me to tell me they were all 3 going to get vaxxed and would be back in a bit with coffee.

Thanks to people who know and care, 4 more people have the first dose of the vax. I realize we have millions to go, but as @Biebert always says, we plant seeds 1 at a time. They will grow and spread seeds across the land. I'm proud of all of you for helping to make a difference!