A majority of Americans who are vaccinated will ban their unvaccinated relatives from holiday gatherings in the coming politically charged season. Experts warn that Americans cannot separate politics and personal life.
OnePoll’s November 2 survey of 2000 Americans sought to understand how COVID-19 has affected people’s relationships and loved ones in the lead up to the holiday season.
These shocking findings reflect the nation-wide divide the COVID-19 epidemic has further increased. The 58 per cent of those surveyed who said they were fully vaccinated reported that their family has been cut off from people who refuse to get it. This is compared with the 65% who claimed to be fully vaccinated.
Andrew Sullivan, author and political commentator believes even people who get to Thanksgiving dinner will be divided over politics.
There’s plenty of “rough and tumble” shut-up rhetoric. That’s fine. It is unhealthy when this is not just kept within the political arena but is personalized and brought to your home – to be used at Thanksgiving.
He said, “And that separation between life and politics is what we are losing, and it’s a terrible thing for us to lose,”
In the coming politically charged holiday season, nearly two-thirds will probably ban family members who are not vaccinated from attending gatherings.
Andrew Sullivan, author and political commentator, stated that “The separation between life and politics is what we are losing”
Nearly 67% of respondents felt that they could not go home for holidays without getting vaccinated. Only 22 percent were unvaccinated and have been expelled from family events.
Sixty-three percent of respondents who were vaccinated didn’t feel safe inviting nonvaccinated family members to their party. Nearly half the unvaccinated respondents stopped talking with relatives that don’t get why they refused the shot.
However, 14% of respondents said they don’t think they will ever be vaccinated but felt that their reasons have been dismissed or diminished by those who were vaccinated.
Respondent 1 stated that the vaccine wasn’t safe and others expressed concern about side effects. Another respondent claimed they didn’t trust it was safe. Other respondents said the vaccine was rushed to prevent people from getting sick.
This feeling isn’t exclusive to the vaccinated. Other family members feel frustrated and disregarded as well.
Fivety-three percent of respondents agree the vaccine has caused a major division in their family. 56 percent expect to have arguments about vaccines with their loved ones this holiday season.
Sullivan discussed how Americans inability to put their differences aside was a symptom of a bigger illness, which reached its peak with the January 6 Capital riot.
“This nation reached the point of violence, rather than peaceful transfers of power. Sullivan warned that it is a sign of the instability in our system if we continue to fight for power, even though this system is meant to serve reasonable citizens.
OnePoll’s study shed some light on the role vaccine played in the workplace.
Results show that 43 percent of respondents who aren’t vaccinated said they were worried about losing their job or receiving lower benefits.
The consensus of most people was found to be that politics should not have any part in science and medicine. With 79 per cent voting for the separation,
53% of people agree with the fact that vaccines have caused family divisions. 56% anticipate arguments over vaccines during the holiday season.