Getting over strong disagreements... ?
May 26, 2022 9:58 AM Subscribe
A few years ago I met some people while travelling and quite liked them. When I was in a pinch, they helped me out with something (not financial). During lockdown, I got quite sick with Covid (they don't know this) and my father died of Covid before there was a vaccine (they do know this). I stopped talking to all anti-vaxxers in my life, including this couple. Now, these people have come out of the woodwork and have asked for a job reference. Not sure what to do.
To be clear, their Anti-vaxx status is the only disagreeable thing about these people. They would be competent at the job they're seeking and my reference would indeed help them as I'm well-respected in that industry. If it weren't for the anti-vaxx thing I would unquestionably write them a reference. Vaccines have nothing to do with the job but the job would involve them travelling and perhaps staying in places where illness / disease would be worse than other places. (We met while I was working in Vanuatu and they were travelling.)
The anti-social-ness and selfishness that I associate with anti-vaxxers makes me question my own judgement about the people and whether I should help them out.
What should I do? What would you do in this situation?
To be clear, their Anti-vaxx status is the only disagreeable thing about these people. They would be competent at the job they're seeking and my reference would indeed help them as I'm well-respected in that industry. If it weren't for the anti-vaxx thing I would unquestionably write them a reference. Vaccines have nothing to do with the job but the job would involve them travelling and perhaps staying in places where illness / disease would be worse than other places. (We met while I was working in Vanuatu and they were travelling.)
The anti-social-ness and selfishness that I associate with anti-vaxxers makes me question my own judgement about the people and whether I should help them out.
What should I do? What would you do in this situation?
OP: "They would be competent at the job they're seeking..."
How do you know this? You didn't work with them, right? You just met them in a personal capacity? If my assumption is right, then I would just say that I don't provide professional references for people I haven't worked with.
posted by cranberrymonger at 10:04 AM on May 26, 2022 [19 favorites]
How do you know this? You didn't work with them, right? You just met them in a personal capacity? If my assumption is right, then I would just say that I don't provide professional references for people I haven't worked with.
posted by cranberrymonger at 10:04 AM on May 26, 2022 [19 favorites]
Personally I do not want to work with anti-vaxxers, and therefore wouldn't write them an endorsement to work elsewhere either.
posted by stillnocturnal at 10:11 AM on May 26, 2022 [7 favorites]
posted by stillnocturnal at 10:11 AM on May 26, 2022 [7 favorites]
I would write them the recommendation sticking strictly to their ability to do the job and not get into anything like "high moral character" or anything praising a non-work aspect of their lives. You have no idea what the people have disclosed to the potential workplace nor do you know if the potential workplace even cares themselves.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 10:15 AM on May 26, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by JohnnyGunn at 10:15 AM on May 26, 2022 [4 favorites]
Response by poster: To be clear, we lived on the same property for almost a month and I witnessed them performing the duties necessary for the job, they just were not doing them in a professional capacity. We did not meet "in passing".
Further complicating this is that the favor that they did for me was to perform my professional duties for one day while I was detained from returning to the property due to no fault of my own.
Also, when I found out they were anti-vaxxers, I ceased communication immediately without explaining why, and have no desire to continue communication so am not looking for wording to send to them in lieu of a reference. I will simply not answer their request at all if it comes to that.
I'm more looking for guidance on whether my rather severe revulsion to anti-vaxxers in non-vaccine-related contexts is rational.
For instance, if I'd used the same dog walker for 5 years and my dog loved them and during covid found out they were anti-vaxxers, would it be rational to fire them at something they're good at and whom my dog likes because of my disagreement with them on this issue?
posted by dobbs at 10:15 AM on May 26, 2022
Further complicating this is that the favor that they did for me was to perform my professional duties for one day while I was detained from returning to the property due to no fault of my own.
Also, when I found out they were anti-vaxxers, I ceased communication immediately without explaining why, and have no desire to continue communication so am not looking for wording to send to them in lieu of a reference. I will simply not answer their request at all if it comes to that.
I'm more looking for guidance on whether my rather severe revulsion to anti-vaxxers in non-vaccine-related contexts is rational.
For instance, if I'd used the same dog walker for 5 years and my dog loved them and during covid found out they were anti-vaxxers, would it be rational to fire them at something they're good at and whom my dog likes because of my disagreement with them on this issue?
posted by dobbs at 10:15 AM on May 26, 2022
"Why would you even be a good reference for them if you don't know them professionally?" is a solid point and your easiest out here.
But to answer your larger question, no, I would not be comfortable recommending an anti-vaxxer* for any position that would require them to be a member of a team, or for that matter to thoughtfully analyze and propose solutions to problems. I suppose if the job involved them working in isolation at a job that did not require analytical skills, consideration for others, or adherence to policies or regulations, I might consider recommending them for that job. I can't think offhand what that job would be.
*there's an exception here for folks who cannot personally get vaccinated for medical reasons - actual medical reasons, not 'I read on Facebook that it might turn me into a magnet' - but I assume you would not be referring to such people generally as anti-vaxxers.
posted by Stacey at 10:17 AM on May 26, 2022 [4 favorites]
But to answer your larger question, no, I would not be comfortable recommending an anti-vaxxer* for any position that would require them to be a member of a team, or for that matter to thoughtfully analyze and propose solutions to problems. I suppose if the job involved them working in isolation at a job that did not require analytical skills, consideration for others, or adherence to policies or regulations, I might consider recommending them for that job. I can't think offhand what that job would be.
*there's an exception here for folks who cannot personally get vaccinated for medical reasons - actual medical reasons, not 'I read on Facebook that it might turn me into a magnet' - but I assume you would not be referring to such people generally as anti-vaxxers.
posted by Stacey at 10:17 AM on May 26, 2022 [4 favorites]
For instance, if I'd used the same dog walker for 5 years and my dog loved them and during covid found out they were anti-vaxxers, would it be rational to fire them at something they're good at and whom my dog likes because of my disagreement with them on this issue?
Yes.
This isn't "disagreement with them on this issue". No one is just anti-vax and everything else about them is reasonable. They have fundamental differences of opinion with you about the value of science, their responsibility to their fellow human beings, and what society should expect from its members.
If you're okay with knowing that you're helping people who think that they're smarter than the vast preponderance of the medical community and that no one who may be forced to encounter them is as worthy of life and limb as they are, then go ahead and give them the recommendation. Otherwise, ghost them.
posted by Etrigan at 10:35 AM on May 26, 2022 [19 favorites]
Yes.
This isn't "disagreement with them on this issue". No one is just anti-vax and everything else about them is reasonable. They have fundamental differences of opinion with you about the value of science, their responsibility to their fellow human beings, and what society should expect from its members.
If you're okay with knowing that you're helping people who think that they're smarter than the vast preponderance of the medical community and that no one who may be forced to encounter them is as worthy of life and limb as they are, then go ahead and give them the recommendation. Otherwise, ghost them.
posted by Etrigan at 10:35 AM on May 26, 2022 [19 favorites]
I'm more looking for guidance on whether my rather severe revulsion to anti-vaxxers in non-vaccine-related contexts is rational.
For instance, if I'd used the same dog walker for 5 years and my dog loved them and during covid found out they were anti-vaxxers, would it be rational to fire them at something they're good at and whom my dog likes because of my disagreement with them on this issue?
Yes, it’s rational; refusing to be vaccinated for a contagious illness during a pandemic directly harms those around you. Yes, it would be rational to fire a dog walker because they were anti-vax (it would also be rational to keep them; sometimes there are multiple rational ways to respond).
posted by maleficent at 10:35 AM on May 26, 2022 [1 favorite]
For instance, if I'd used the same dog walker for 5 years and my dog loved them and during covid found out they were anti-vaxxers, would it be rational to fire them at something they're good at and whom my dog likes because of my disagreement with them on this issue?
Yes, it’s rational; refusing to be vaccinated for a contagious illness during a pandemic directly harms those around you. Yes, it would be rational to fire a dog walker because they were anti-vax (it would also be rational to keep them; sometimes there are multiple rational ways to respond).
posted by maleficent at 10:35 AM on May 26, 2022 [1 favorite]
(dubiously) I suppose you could write a recommendation including all the relevant evidence you have: observed competence at the tasks, willingness to cover for you, and anti-vaxxing.
And then you’d know something about anyone who hired them, too.
posted by clew at 10:39 AM on May 26, 2022 [2 favorites]
And then you’d know something about anyone who hired them, too.
posted by clew at 10:39 AM on May 26, 2022 [2 favorites]
I think if you like them and respect them as people, go ahead and give them a reference. If you just don't like them or respect them (being anti-vax: a very valid reason not to like or respect someone!) then don't. I don't see why it has to be more complicated than this?
posted by windbox at 10:44 AM on May 26, 2022 [8 favorites]
posted by windbox at 10:44 AM on May 26, 2022 [8 favorites]
You are obviously free to do as you see fit, but personally I–someone who is definitely not anti-vaxx–would either politely tell them why ("Given your anti-vaxx approach, I don't feel comfortable recommending you for a job that requires travel, but best of luck") or write them a recommendation that focuses only on your observations of their ability to do the job, and leave it up to HR to determine whether or not their vaccination status matters. Refusing to even communicate with people who in the past have been good to you is never great, in my book. I don't think you owe them much, but a one-line email is a low (and easy) bar.
posted by coffeecat at 10:45 AM on May 26, 2022 [14 favorites]
posted by coffeecat at 10:45 AM on May 26, 2022 [14 favorites]
“Distance yourself from crazy” is an all purpose rule that avoids making any professional judgments or creating unnecessary loopholes.
posted by stoneandstar at 11:11 AM on May 26, 2022 [9 favorites]
posted by stoneandstar at 11:11 AM on May 26, 2022 [9 favorites]
Severely immune compromised person reporting in: If these people would be traveling as part of this role or exposed to others, you can choose not refer them with totally clear conscience. They really would be putting others at risk. You are horrified by their choices for a reason and the fact that you are horrified is not a reason to second guess yourself. In fact, THANK YOU! I appreciate it. :)
posted by jeszac at 11:12 AM on May 26, 2022 [9 favorites]
posted by jeszac at 11:12 AM on May 26, 2022 [9 favorites]
I'm more looking for guidance on whether my rather severe revulsion to anti-vaxxers in non-vaccine-related contexts is rational.
Obviously only offering my personal opinion here. I had a similar situation arise with a family member, and it was agonizing but what I ultimately realized is that unless I took actions that supported my pro-public health/vaccination stances (and refusing to give a reference would count as an action), then it wouldn't really be anything other than a hollow sentiment. Didn't make it any more pleasant but it made my path a lot more clear when I put my decision in the terms of "putting my money where my mouth is"
posted by Jarcat at 11:16 AM on May 26, 2022 [8 favorites]
Obviously only offering my personal opinion here. I had a similar situation arise with a family member, and it was agonizing but what I ultimately realized is that unless I took actions that supported my pro-public health/vaccination stances (and refusing to give a reference would count as an action), then it wouldn't really be anything other than a hollow sentiment. Didn't make it any more pleasant but it made my path a lot more clear when I put my decision in the terms of "putting my money where my mouth is"
posted by Jarcat at 11:16 AM on May 26, 2022 [8 favorites]
Also maybe you could use this opportunity to get another person vaccinated? "I would love to give you a reference but I have to come clean: I'm REALLY disturbed by your views on getting vaccinated, and it makes it difficult for me to give you a recommendation in good faith because preventing the spread of covid is an EXTREMELY personal issue to me. Is there ANY chance you would be open to a conversation about potentially getting vaccinated and we can go from there?"
If they say hard no or act defensive then that might net out to "I'm afraid I can't help you then, I do have to draw the line somewhere and I hope you can respect that" and that will frankly probably be the last conversation you ever have with them (if you already don't talk to them, fine no big loss), but at least you'll have tried in good faith to get another human soul the vaccine rather than going scorched earth on it.
posted by windbox at 11:17 AM on May 26, 2022 [22 favorites]
If they say hard no or act defensive then that might net out to "I'm afraid I can't help you then, I do have to draw the line somewhere and I hope you can respect that" and that will frankly probably be the last conversation you ever have with them (if you already don't talk to them, fine no big loss), but at least you'll have tried in good faith to get another human soul the vaccine rather than going scorched earth on it.
posted by windbox at 11:17 AM on May 26, 2022 [22 favorites]
@windbox hits it perfectly. Providing a work reference isn't a legal obligation, it is a courtesy to help people you like and respect.
posted by dngrangl at 11:38 AM on May 26, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by dngrangl at 11:38 AM on May 26, 2022 [3 favorites]
I'm more looking for guidance on whether my rather severe revulsion to anti-vaxxers in non-vaccine-related contexts is rational.
But...work isn't a non-vaccine related context. Don't refer them. You're fine. You don't owe them anything, especially since they helped you out for one day but they're walking around as vectors that could cause people to lose many days, if not all days, of their lives.
posted by Miko at 11:40 AM on May 26, 2022 [9 favorites]
But...work isn't a non-vaccine related context. Don't refer them. You're fine. You don't owe them anything, especially since they helped you out for one day but they're walking around as vectors that could cause people to lose many days, if not all days, of their lives.
posted by Miko at 11:40 AM on May 26, 2022 [9 favorites]
You do not have to give them a referral for any reason if you don't feel like it, and the tragic impact of covid on your own life gives you even more of an ethical out if you choose not to.
Nontheless, I will say that I -- someone who is very, very strong pro-vax -- would write for them in terms of the actual job, sticking to their qualifications. It's not helpful, at this point, to label everyone who chose not to get vaccinated as selfish and bad. Are you sure they are literallly "anti vaccine" as a strong and ideological political position, that is, harassing or criticizing vaccinated people rather than just refusing to be vaccinated themselves? You would be surprised at the people you know, now, who have all sorts of (misguided) reasons and fears about this, and they are not evil or selfish. People are more complicated than our moment allows.
In fact, some of us, right now, are bewildered about how many progressives have stopped wearing masks indoors even in areas of extremely high-community transmission. I could really say it's selfish not to wear a mask, whether or not one is vaccinated. I could refuse to write recommendations for my leftist (vaccinated) colleague who was coughing in a meeting the other day without a mask. But the social atmosphere isn't supporting that, for various reasons.
Is going maskless in a high community transmission area the *same* as not being vaccinated? No, but the level of community responsibility between those two things is a matter of degree, not a matter of absolute qualitative moral superiority.
posted by nantucket at 1:28 PM on May 26, 2022 [13 favorites]
Nontheless, I will say that I -- someone who is very, very strong pro-vax -- would write for them in terms of the actual job, sticking to their qualifications. It's not helpful, at this point, to label everyone who chose not to get vaccinated as selfish and bad. Are you sure they are literallly "anti vaccine" as a strong and ideological political position, that is, harassing or criticizing vaccinated people rather than just refusing to be vaccinated themselves? You would be surprised at the people you know, now, who have all sorts of (misguided) reasons and fears about this, and they are not evil or selfish. People are more complicated than our moment allows.
In fact, some of us, right now, are bewildered about how many progressives have stopped wearing masks indoors even in areas of extremely high-community transmission. I could really say it's selfish not to wear a mask, whether or not one is vaccinated. I could refuse to write recommendations for my leftist (vaccinated) colleague who was coughing in a meeting the other day without a mask. But the social atmosphere isn't supporting that, for various reasons.
Is going maskless in a high community transmission area the *same* as not being vaccinated? No, but the level of community responsibility between those two things is a matter of degree, not a matter of absolute qualitative moral superiority.
posted by nantucket at 1:28 PM on May 26, 2022 [13 favorites]
I'm with nantucket.
Victims of manipulation deserve pity, don't they? Not job references, but at least consideration. (Otherwise, how will they find their way back to civil society?)
I also observe that a lot of anti-vax folks have... evolved and gotten vaccinated.
posted by mahorn at 1:37 PM on May 26, 2022 [4 favorites]
Victims of manipulation deserve pity, don't they? Not job references, but at least consideration. (Otherwise, how will they find their way back to civil society?)
I also observe that a lot of anti-vax folks have... evolved and gotten vaccinated.
posted by mahorn at 1:37 PM on May 26, 2022 [4 favorites]
Plus, many people's vaccines have basically worn off. Are we going to shun everyone who didn't get both boosters? Like... most lefty college students? If not, in answer to the actual question, then no, it's not purely rational to refuse their request for a referral. My empathy goes out to the OP who lost their father to Covid and I don't think their decision has to be purely rational to be ethical. They can act in honor of their father, for example, and be fine with that. But all the absolute certainty in pro-vaccination worlds, (of which I'm part), about who currently is deemed socially responsible and who is deemed selfish, is, in fact, not rational.
posted by nantucket at 1:45 PM on May 26, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by nantucket at 1:45 PM on May 26, 2022 [5 favorites]
You are not in a position to give them a professional reference, never having actually worked with them. Just tell them that and move on. The anti-vax thing is neither here more there in this situation (but if it was, I would tell them I wouldn't do it anyway and why).
posted by dg at 1:49 PM on May 26, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by dg at 1:49 PM on May 26, 2022 [3 favorites]
I'm with Jarcat and windbox. People are of course free to take issue with this take, but I've spent 26 months feeling powerless as I watched failures at the federal and local government, corporate, and personal levels to handle everything as safely as I would like. Faced with the opportunity to choose to not help someone make parts of the world a little less safe, I would definitely not provide a reference. And believing the gesture more meaningful if this couple weren't unaware of that factor in my decision, I would explain the reason why -- and leave the decision open, if they wanted to reconsider. But I don't know how I would satisfy myself that they went ahead and did it, if they against all odds claimed that they had; I ended the biggest and longest friendship in my life over a fake vaccination card.
(At least) two members of my family just tested positive, likely having acquired it on a plane, where almost no one else was masked. One of them is pushing 80. Consider all the people you wouldn't be helping protect if you wrote this reference.
posted by troywestfield at 2:50 PM on May 26, 2022 [3 favorites]
(At least) two members of my family just tested positive, likely having acquired it on a plane, where almost no one else was masked. One of them is pushing 80. Consider all the people you wouldn't be helping protect if you wrote this reference.
posted by troywestfield at 2:50 PM on May 26, 2022 [3 favorites]
I saw this online recently (sorry can't recall where):
By the way, vaccination is not a "deeply personal decision." It is a routine public health requirement in a civilized society.
Which is to say no, you don't have to give them a reference, and you can tell them why. They have made a decision that is going to limit them in many circumstances; it is not on you to protect them from the consequences and repercussions of their own decision, however ill-informed it may be.
posted by lulu68 at 3:48 PM on May 26, 2022 [5 favorites]
By the way, vaccination is not a "deeply personal decision." It is a routine public health requirement in a civilized society.
Which is to say no, you don't have to give them a reference, and you can tell them why. They have made a decision that is going to limit them in many circumstances; it is not on you to protect them from the consequences and repercussions of their own decision, however ill-informed it may be.
posted by lulu68 at 3:48 PM on May 26, 2022 [5 favorites]
Studying the history of the anti vax movement (back to variolation) has given me much more tolerance for anti-vaxers.
For me, it would be a question of whether they are vocally anti-vax in a way that spreads fear and misinformation, or quietly anti-vax in not taking it for themselves but not discouraging others.
In terms of the damage they could do with this job, you have no earthly way of knowing whether it is more or less than the damage they could do without this job. or how it compares to the damage someone else who got this job might do.
posted by Salamandrous at 4:54 PM on May 26, 2022 [2 favorites]
For me, it would be a question of whether they are vocally anti-vax in a way that spreads fear and misinformation, or quietly anti-vax in not taking it for themselves but not discouraging others.
In terms of the damage they could do with this job, you have no earthly way of knowing whether it is more or less than the damage they could do without this job. or how it compares to the damage someone else who got this job might do.
posted by Salamandrous at 4:54 PM on May 26, 2022 [2 favorites]
To help you work through this question, consider if it would make a difference to you whether or not the unvaccinated people have had covid already and recovered.
I personally have more patience for people who refuse to be vaccinated against covid than I did a year ago. (This patience doesn't apply to total anti-vaxxers who refuse to get vaccinated against anything.)
posted by wondermouse at 7:29 PM on May 26, 2022 [1 favorite]
I personally have more patience for people who refuse to be vaccinated against covid than I did a year ago. (This patience doesn't apply to total anti-vaxxers who refuse to get vaccinated against anything.)
posted by wondermouse at 7:29 PM on May 26, 2022 [1 favorite]
Since you're struggling with this, let's try, as a purely mental exercise, placing their anti-vaxx status to the side. That leaves:
a) You cut them off, and don't wish to renew the acquaintance.
b) They came calling for a professional reference, when you haven't worked together in the conventional sense; covering for you for a single day, due to circumstances beyond your control, does not a reference make.
c) Hitting you up stresses the absence of anyone within "the woodwork" (employer, manager, or traditional co-worker) willing to provide a reference.
Don't do it. Don't risk your professional reputation or renewed contact with them.
["Getting over strong disagreements..."?!? It's this wording I can't get over, dobbs. There's no need to place anything to the side. Don't respond to their request, and please don't doubt yourself. I'm sorry you were so ill, and I am terribly sorry that your father died.]
posted by Iris Gambol at 7:35 PM on May 26, 2022 [3 favorites]
a) You cut them off, and don't wish to renew the acquaintance.
b) They came calling for a professional reference, when you haven't worked together in the conventional sense; covering for you for a single day, due to circumstances beyond your control, does not a reference make.
c) Hitting you up stresses the absence of anyone within "the woodwork" (employer, manager, or traditional co-worker) willing to provide a reference.
Don't do it. Don't risk your professional reputation or renewed contact with them.
["Getting over strong disagreements..."?!? It's this wording I can't get over, dobbs. There's no need to place anything to the side. Don't respond to their request, and please don't doubt yourself. I'm sorry you were so ill, and I am terribly sorry that your father died.]
posted by Iris Gambol at 7:35 PM on May 26, 2022 [3 favorites]
If you think they’d be more dangerous with this job (i.e. with the job they will do a lot of maskless travel and otherwise they’d stay home) then it’s rational to refuse the recommendation. You’re also fine to skip it just because you don’t feel like doing it.
But it would also be OK to write the rec if you don’t think it would increase their travel.
I’m sorry for your loss.
posted by hungrytiger at 8:06 PM on May 26, 2022
But it would also be OK to write the rec if you don’t think it would increase their travel.
I’m sorry for your loss.
posted by hungrytiger at 8:06 PM on May 26, 2022
This is simple: Not getting vaccinated is a failure of good judgment.
I would not act as a reference for these people.
posted by yellowcandy at 10:25 PM on May 26, 2022 [2 favorites]
I would not act as a reference for these people.
posted by yellowcandy at 10:25 PM on May 26, 2022 [2 favorites]
People who pop up out of the woodwork after having had no contact asking for something are generally users. Do you want to have your professional reputation on the line for users? (I admit, I also view anti-vaxxers to be users - they want to use the immunity of everyone else to protect themselves.)
I would also say that witnessing someone in an informal context such as you describe, is very different from being their coworker and knowing how they are in the day to day. This is generally what a reference should speak to - are they ok to actually work with? And how will you feel when their anti-vax stance comes out (it will!) and being associated with it?
posted by Bottlecap at 10:57 PM on May 26, 2022 [2 favorites]
I would also say that witnessing someone in an informal context such as you describe, is very different from being their coworker and knowing how they are in the day to day. This is generally what a reference should speak to - are they ok to actually work with? And how will you feel when their anti-vax stance comes out (it will!) and being associated with it?
posted by Bottlecap at 10:57 PM on May 26, 2022 [2 favorites]
I'm an epidemiologist. It's not callous of me to say that the reaction to the current pandemic has hardened my previous resolve on this issue: intentionally avoidding vaccination is sufficient cause for me to deny a recommendation for any position that is not exclusively solitary and isolated.
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 1:46 AM on May 27, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 1:46 AM on May 27, 2022 [3 favorites]
When the fatal Zeta variant surges through the population next fall and the company has to fire them due to no vaccinations, how are you going to feel about having made a recommendation?
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 2:14 AM on May 27, 2022
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 2:14 AM on May 27, 2022
I don't think you know their work well enough to write a really good recommendation. I agree with Iris Gambol that it's not a good sign that they don't have someone else who they have actually worked for to ask.
posted by plonkee at 3:40 AM on May 27, 2022
posted by plonkee at 3:40 AM on May 27, 2022
Are you sure they're still anti-vax?
Because I know one person who went from very hesitant with a long history of not wanting her pets "over vaccinated" to enthusiastically pro-vaccine.
And another who was regularly posting anti-vax things on Facebook after a long history of being into some very woo medicine (after a long history of not being believed about real medical problems by mainstream medicine) who at the minimum doesn't do that at all anymore. Our police department members went from very anti-vax to nearly all vaccinated.
I have coworkers who also came around eventually. I wish they all did it earlier but I'm happy it was a change they were able make.
posted by sepviva at 5:32 AM on May 27, 2022
Because I know one person who went from very hesitant with a long history of not wanting her pets "over vaccinated" to enthusiastically pro-vaccine.
And another who was regularly posting anti-vax things on Facebook after a long history of being into some very woo medicine (after a long history of not being believed about real medical problems by mainstream medicine) who at the minimum doesn't do that at all anymore. Our police department members went from very anti-vax to nearly all vaccinated.
I have coworkers who also came around eventually. I wish they all did it earlier but I'm happy it was a change they were able make.
posted by sepviva at 5:32 AM on May 27, 2022
Are they anti-vaxx *and* anti-mask or very relaxed with their mask use? In that case traveling for a job is risky for them and the people they come into contact with. Anti-vax alone is crappy enough, but I can see how people are skeptical about the vaccines after vaccinated people are getting covid left and right. But anti-mask is hugely irresponsible if they plan on leaving their house.
Someone above aaid to mention the anti-vax part in the recommendation (along with the actual recommendation)... where they live, is it legal to discriminate against people based on their vaccination status? I guess the company doesn't require vaccination?
Is there a chance you would need a favor or help from these people in the future?
posted by never.was.and.never.will.be. at 9:11 AM on May 27, 2022
Someone above aaid to mention the anti-vax part in the recommendation (along with the actual recommendation)... where they live, is it legal to discriminate against people based on their vaccination status? I guess the company doesn't require vaccination?
Is there a chance you would need a favor or help from these people in the future?
posted by never.was.and.never.will.be. at 9:11 AM on May 27, 2022
Response by poster: Thanks for the answers, everyone!
posted by dobbs at 6:57 PM on May 27, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by dobbs at 6:57 PM on May 27, 2022 [1 favorite]
If having yet another person chime in on this helps at all, then FWIW, I also think it is 100% rational and fair to refuse to provide a recommendation to an anti-vaxxer. Someone who deliberately chooses such a selfish, anti-social, and anti-logical course of action is not someone I could or would recommend for anything.
posted by DingoMutt at 5:23 PM on June 2, 2022
posted by DingoMutt at 5:23 PM on June 2, 2022
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posted by congen at 10:02 AM on May 26, 2022 [21 favorites]