Went to my doctor for my annual physical. First off, i'm a very healthy FUCKING WHITE MALE and really the only time I see my doctor is for this physical and I've been going to him for over 25 years. The last time I saw him for something of concern was in 2014. Now, being that this is America and our healthcare system sucks so bad, he's changed his practice and I can't see him unless I pony up $2500/year for more individualized care. But I can see his secondary doctor who sees cheap asses like myself. Ok, no problem since a physical is a physical. So I said what the heck and kept my appointment.
And of course out came the COVID vaccine pushing. This is pretty much the actual conversation:
Doctor - Have gotten or registered for the vaccine yet?
Me - No. I had Covid in January and I have the antibodies, so I'm good.
Doctor - Well, having Covid only gives you immunity for about 3 months.
Me (finally going to put someone on the spot) - This is a great time to ask this question since I'm sitting in a doctor's office: How is the vaccine better or any different than getting it naturally?
Doctor - it promotes a greater immune response.
Me - interesting. Are the antibodies different somehow?
Doctor - not really.
Me - Do I have the same antibodies as someone who is vaxxed?
Doctor - essentially yes.
Me - So...I don't understand how the vax is better if I have essentially the same biological response.
Doctor - Studies are showing that the effect lasts longer
Me - How much longer?
Doctor - We're not sure
Me - So, I can get vaxxed but still catch it later?
Doctor - perhaps.
Me - So, it's essentially the flu? Which I can't say I've ever really had a bad case of.
Doctor - well, not really
Me - Look, I'm not a doctor, but what I'm hearing and reading every day isn't selling me on this. And anytime the government says not to be concerned, that's when I get concerned regardless of who is in office. I'm good without getting the shots since I'm a very healthy man and my covid experience was minimal. I have no concerns with catching it again.
Doctor - Well, you're not in a high risk group so you're probably OK with catching it again. But you may be able to pass it to other high risk people, and the public at large needs to get vaccinated so we can reach herd immunity faster
Me - eh, the high risk people in my family are all gleefully getting vaccinated, so they'll be safe from me. I need some more convincing data out there about efficacy and more importantly, long term effects before I'll even consider it. I'm super healthy, I rarely get sick and I'm not going risk that just because the government says "be a good citizen".
And then we moved on to other things. But in hindsight, I should have just lied and said i got it and made up some fucking dates for him to write in my file.
I've been joyfully telling everyone I've gotten both shots of pfizer, and moderna, have the j&j shot and can't wait to collect more!
"When do you think they're going to release the next one!?"
No one thinks I'm being serious but they can't bring themselves to take the conversation further.
See, this is a great strategy. It seems like friends, acquaintances, and people I've never met are always finding a way to worm their opinions on the vaccine into everyday conversations. Instead of being a contrarian, I want to join them in their happiness. It also puts a smile on my face to learn who is and isn't an NPC. Planning on adpoting your method just for the comedy it will illicit.
This is called "agree and amplify" to the point of absurdity. I told someone yesterday that I haven't gotten the jab yet because I am an anti-vaxxer (they know I'm a scientist) and I don't believe the measles exists anymore. Conversation didn't go further than that.