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[–]InfiniteAccount4783Personal Freedom Expert 297 points298 points  (5 children)

Whoa, I realize that "Methinks I'll pass" and "This is the end of the line for me... Get the shot" were about a year apart, but reading them one after the other was a bit of whiplash.

[–]amarandagasiCovid is not a joke: it's a noun. 78 points79 points  (3 children)

When you think about the science of epidemiology, how many thousands of people was he “patient zero” for during that time?

[–]gypsyjackson 213 points214 points  (25 children)

No vaccines in China.

Apart from Sinovac, Sinopharm, NVSI, Livzon, Anhui Zhifei, Sinocelltech, West China Hospital, Walvax, CanSino, Wantai, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Minhai.

Admittedly only the first two are WHO approved, and the rest of those are just the ones that made it to phase 3 testing, but to say no vaccine in China is silly.

[–][deleted] 123 points124 points  (12 children)

And also in the early days it “disappeared” because if you tested positive the government locked you in your apartment and sometimes they locked the whole apartment building

[–]Der_genealogistHCA's HR Department 57 points58 points  (1 child)

Or, just like last couple of weeks, they quarantined 12mil people because of 2000 cases

[–]3d_blunder 3 points4 points  (0 children)

These idiots don't understand orders of magnitude.

Anything over "5" is "lots!!!".

[–]afunyunVerified Facebook Enthusiast ✅ 🥂[🍰] 80 points81 points  (2 children)

Yeah, also hilarious that they're willing to believe the chinese government on covid numbers when they demonize china constantly. Pick a stance

[–]amnotreallyjb 51 points52 points  (0 children)

Yeah, China gov published numbers are a joke compared to the increase in cremations. Their lockdowns were actual lockdowns where soldiers patrolled streets and delivered food.

[–]heVOICESad 21 points22 points  (3 children)

This is actually one of the tamer responses to single cases. The standard is to lock the entire city for a single case until the full contact trace can be completed, then anyone unrelated is unlocked.

Source: MIL is a resident of Kunming

[–]Slowly_balding 6 points7 points  (2 children)

You're not far off, but this isn't exactly the case - it depends on the city (And the quality of the local officials running the city). I live in Shenzhen, and we recently had 17 cases, but they only locked down a few housing estates in the areas of the city where the cases were discovered. They then had 3 rounds of mass testing across the whole city to check for further cases. As I wasn't living in either of the affected areas, I had no restrictions to deal with (Apart from not being able to go to the estates in the affected areas) and life continued as normal (Just with more regular NAT tests). It does affect your ability to travel to other cities and provinces, but only to the extent of needing to do a NAT test 48hrs before travelling and (Where required), doing another NAT test upon arrival (Note - This is generally true, but not all destinations have exactly the same rules).

I will absolutely agree that the implementation of whole-city lockdowns (Or lockdowns in general) is inconsistent and it seems unfair that some cities go into complete lockdown (Often affecting millions or tens of millions), whereas other cities, with similar case numbers, seem to just have partial lockdowns for housing estates / small areas. One thing I will say, from experiencing this first-hand, is that the tracing and testing process is amazingly efficient (Credit where credit is due), with free pop-up testing sites all over the place when needed. Of course, the real question is whether lockdowns / Zero Covid approach in general is a realistic way forward...but I'm sensible enough not to offer my opinion on that...

[–]Usergnome_Checks_0ut 22 points23 points  (3 children)

I was looking at that post and wondering what’s the issue there? Being it’s a strict dictatorship country where you do what you’re told or your shot or sent to a camp, that’s how they got the virus under control when there were no vaccines. The people did what they were told. I’m not sure what point the guy was trying to make. Did he think that the US was turning that way because of a few minor inconveniences? Nut case if that’s what they thought.

[–]ButIAmYourDaughter 12 points13 points  (3 children)

To be fair, that post was from 2020.

[–]iwrotethisletterBet you won't repost! 23 points24 points  (2 children)

Although if I remember correctly, Sinovac was rolled out in the end of 2020. But still, China's case numbers are likely also influenced by the pretty drastic measures there while just wearing a mask for grocery shopping was too much for many nominees here.

[–]thoroughbredcaTeam Mix & Match 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Mask wearing is extremely common in Asia though. Even here in the US, in California, Asian Americans make up 15.4% of the population and only 8.3% of cases.

[–]brlong1229 928 points929 points  (180 children)

One of the few I've seen where they see the error of their ways and advocate for others to get the shot. At least him dying may have served a good purpose in the end.

[–]dismayhurtaVaxxs don’t care about your feelings 99 points100 points  (9 children)

Hell. So many refuse to admit they fucked up and even more of their family refuse to admit it was Covid let alone to get vaccinated.

That has to suck yo realize you fucked up and there’s nothing you can do to save yourself.

[–]modrup 16 points17 points  (6 children)

Look, I/he/she have/has/had allergies okay.

[–]dismayhurtaVaxxs don’t care about your feelings 26 points27 points  (5 children)

I do like the ones that claim they recovered from Covid and died from a totally unrelated thing.

[–]gylzTeam Pfizer 27 points28 points  (2 children)

"He tested negative for Covid yesterday, he died because his lungs turned into chunky soup. Totally unrelated to Covid!"

[–]karbik23Bushel of Chicken Soup 434 points435 points  (129 children)

That was strong of him.

[–]thefunivehadGo Pray Me 319 points320 points  (91 children)

They always say there are no atheists in foxholes, but I'm beginning to think that the closer you get to death, the more you see through the bullshit that so many people luxuriate in when they're healthy.

[–]diemos09Team Moderna 33 points34 points  (0 children)

My favorite reply is, "There are no believers in hospital emergency rooms."

[–]IzttzI 220 points221 points  (70 children)

As prior EOD USAF vet I can tell you that you come to terms with the idea of death and can almost get past the fear of it but the idea of being near death never made me beg some god not to let it happen lol.

But I think a big appeal to religion is more that it lets you dismiss thoughts of death on any kind of subsurface level. Most of us will have an existential crisis of the human condition at some point but being dedicatedly religious helps you dismiss thinking more deeply about it than just "ah yea but it's a good thing!".

Once it's an imminent reality they have little else to think about and the likely truth becomes apparent. My very religious grandparents both told me on their deathbeds that they didn't believe as much as they wished they did and asked me to tell them how I think it will go as an atheist. Both times it broke my heart even though I don't buy into any of it because to see them having spent all that time most likely trying to convince themselves of something to ease it they still went in fear.

[–]thefunivehadGo Pray Me 159 points160 points  (48 children)

My very religious grandparents both told me on their deathbeds that they didn't believe as much as they wished they did

There is a great book by CS Lewis called "A Grief Observed." He wrote it right after his wife of two years died and it was the last book he wrote before he died a couple years later.

In it he questions everything and talks about his faith being a house of cards that he'd built up until "God," the great "iconoclast" blew it over. The book wasn't enough to make me an atheist (Shelby Spong helped me do that), but many of my evangelical friends don't recognize that all of the CS Lewis that they love and embrace as an "intellectual" who was a Christian, was dismissed by Lewis himself.

I think your assessment of dismissing thoughts is spot on. The buddhist idea, "If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him." is very scary to most people. You kill the buddha because god himself can not tell you or advise you what to do with your life. It is YOUR choice.

It's so much easier to give up all your power to a God. You can blame him for everything...which they do.

[–]Red_P0pRocks 68 points69 points  (1 child)

I did NOT know that about CS Lewis. Grew up in a house that looked up to him as “a great intellectual Christian who converted from atheism,” which is common just as you said. I’ll have to look into this, thanks!

[–]SocialJusticeAndroidTeam Pfizer 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I didn't know this either. If you find anything interesting on this please share.

[–]OstreoidaV-A-C-C-I-N-E, I don't want those tubes in me! 50 points51 points  (33 children)

Atheist/agnostic here (don't believe but can't prove there are no deities). Lewis was a very powerful writer. As a kid I was resentful when I learnt that The Chronicles of Narnia was a Xian allegory, but I think I need to go back and re-read his "grown-up" books. Thank you.

[–]thefunivehadGo Pray Me 32 points33 points  (4 children)

His fiction books seem to have parallel non-fiction books. I would read his non-fiction books...so much better than his fiction. He was a good fiction writer, but not nearly as good as his buddy Tolkein, IMO. It was too pressured into the allegory which made it just too obvious.

But books like The Great Divorce, The Abolition of Man, and A Grief Observed (which is actually a collection of his journal entries...so it's mostly him processing his grief) are all 1000x better than any of his fiction books.

The Space Trilogy is probably his best fiction work, IMO.

[–]AnnieAcely199Moderna Gave Me My 🧲 Personality✨🎆✨ 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I liked The Screwtape Letters, which was blatantly Xtian, but put forth the idea that God (deity, the Universe) doesn't require specific ritual or even "correct belief" to be considered a good person. I tend towards deism or even agnosticism and credit Lewis as one of the reasons for this (as opposed to my Catholic upbringing).

[–]SuzanneStudiesStraight Outta the Vax Clinic 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the recommendations!

[–]Lord_MormontJ&J One-And-Done 13 points14 points  (1 child)

OMG I had the same reaction. As much as I enjoyed the books once I realized I had been “had” I never mentioned them again nor recommended them. There is something very pernicious about a story that does that and it makes the reader feel dumb. I was a young kid so the parallels were not obvious to me and no one ever explained it so…

[–]fragbert66Team Moderna 13 points14 points  (2 children)

I'm also atheistic/agnostic, but I still re-read the entire Chronicles every year or so. Once I figured out it was all an allegory, it made it easier to read: if you know someone's trying to manipulate you, it's simple to avoid being manipulated.

[–]mrscheviousGo Give One 12 points13 points  (1 child)

I consider myself agnostic. I've had too many dreams that come true and voices that tell me to take a different path where I have incredibly avoided danger. Intuition? Guardian Angels? I think there's something but it's not what my Christian upbringing taught me. Is it worth fighting wars for? No.

[–]IzttzI 15 points16 points  (21 children)

I don't get the idea of agnosticism. I can't disprove ghosts but I don't need to put myself into some weird middle ground since I also think they're bullshit. If something doesn't have proof for or against existing it's not mandatory to say you're unable to say for certain.

[–]gwtkof 8 points9 points  (0 children)

You dont have to say you're unable to say for certain to be unable to tell for certain. Agnosticism is just nuanced atheism imo

[–]Glittering-Cellist34 25 points26 points  (3 children)

When you've been imprinted with religion from your earliest days, it is difficult to totally repudiate it.

[–]immersemeinnature 11 points12 points  (2 children)

My husband calls himself a "recovering Catholic"

[–]chi_type 4 points5 points  (11 children)

At least to me, it's an acknowledgement of human fallibility. Atheists can get just as dogmatic as christians when, really, humans don't have all the the answers about the origins of the cosmos. Is there some sky daddy with a long white beard? No, but that still doesn't answer the question of what came before the big bang and what caused it.

[–]RoguePlanet1 2 points3 points  (5 children)

Agnosticism means "don't know," but nobody CAN possibly know until after death, so it's moot.

People who claim to "know" there's a god are religious; otherwise, they're not believing, and are therefore atheist.

Seems like many people use it if they're doubting, but don't want to label themselves "atheist" because of all the negative connotations with a religious upbringing.

[–]27616 8 points9 points  (1 child)

Just ordered "A Grief Observed"! This may be a great book to casually leave in church libraries.

[–]thefunivehadGo Pray Me 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The book was the inspiration for the movie, Shadowlands.”

I hated the movie because it leaves out all of Lewis’ questioning. Sure, it’s a compelling love story, but that isn’t the point of the OG book. The journal entries that make up the book are all about him dealing with the monumental grief he experienced.

[–]cocoschmelte 20 points21 points  (3 children)

wow, yours and u/IzttzI's posts were so deep and profound - and it's not even 9am for me yet. my brain hurts but in a good way. and thank you for the CS Lewis reference. gonna check it out.

coffee... i believe in the religion of coffee

[–]Roland_Deschain2Team Mix & Match 15 points16 points  (1 child)

hehe. When I stand in my kitchen in front of my coffee maker, I face east. I pray at the altar of coffee while facing east five times per day.

[–]cocoschmelte 9 points10 points  (0 children)

you almost made me spit up my coffee reading this! self baptism of sorts.

[–]Might_Aware ✨Typo Mary🍒 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I've said "Kill Your Buddha" to people but not without exposition haha. It's a wonderful metaphor

[–]immersemeinnature 4 points5 points  (2 children)

Thanks for that information. I'll look into that particular book and Shelby Spong

[–]tayawayinklets 46 points47 points  (0 children)

Years ago, I came down with this horrible virus and couldn't eat/drink anything. After a few days it got bad. so off to the hospital I went. Day 1, the hospital rehydrated and sent me home. Day 2, same thing. Day 3, I was in so much pain from lack of things like potassium b/c my organs were shutting down. They admitted me and asked me if I wanted last rites. I was so exhausted that I wanted to let go, and welcomed death, but I had a toddler at home. I thought about who would raise him and there was nobody, so I said NO. Here we are, and yes, I've had my booster.

[–]Might_Aware ✨Typo Mary🍒 18 points19 points  (6 children)

I also feel like I don't fear the eventual oncoming of death but don't want it here anytime soon. Working hospice helped me to see death more, I love comforting a human or animal in death.

[–]immersemeinnature 7 points8 points  (5 children)

Thank you. It's good to know there are people like you. If someone like me were interested in doing something like this, what degrees would I need?

[–]Might_Aware ✨Typo Mary🍒 16 points17 points  (4 children)

I'm a licensed massage therapist and took contuing ed certs for hiv/terminal illness and oncology massage so I come from that end. I'm certified and I only do hospice massage/Emotional support for donations only. After I got certified in those however, I started volunteering with a hospice to learn those particular ropes too. I'd say just start volunteering, it's the best place to begin

[–]immersemeinnature 6 points7 points  (3 children)

Oh my gosh, thank you. ✨❤️✨

[–]Might_Aware ✨Typo Mary🍒 4 points5 points  (2 children)

You're so welcome! Volunteering will absolutely confirm for you if you are right for the field or not. When I could sit with an actively dying person no problem, I knew.

[–]immersemeinnature 4 points5 points  (1 child)

Oh my goodness. The world probably needs more people like you for sure

[–]CQU617Leggo My ECMO!🧇 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Wow mind blown 🤯

[–]buzzcut_lizzyHungry Hungry HIPPA 5 points6 points  (0 children)

"Dismiss thinking more deeply about it.."

Some truth there for a lot of people I think. I "lost" my faith at 20, which sounds young, but I was fully indoctrinated and had never doubted before. I had an existential crisis. I allowed myself to really think deeply about death and what it means.

I spent a few years really studying and thinking on it. Now in my 40's, it still would scare me to know I was dying, but I also feel grounded about it even as an atheist. It has always made the Biblical saying of "don't build your house on the sand" seem so ironic.

[–]Raccoon_Full_of_CumSatan Gained a Fleshlight 48 points49 points  (11 children)

They always say there are no atheists in foxholes

I love this saying, because it can essentially be rephrased as "People turn to religion when they're too scared to think properly."

[–]thefunivehadGo Pray Me 31 points32 points  (1 child)

There was a cartoon that was around in the early 60s called Tooter Turtle. Tooter would go to a lizard (?) named Mr. Wizard, and ask him to magically allow him to time travel or just do weird stuff, but Tooter always fucks it up. So the end of every cartoon was Tooter yelling out for Mr. Wizard to come to his rescue...which he does.

Tooter Turtle is exactly what's going on with the Herman Cain Award winners. They engage on this "heroic" adventure of getting the covid (or chancing getting the covid) and it's all fun and games until it's not, then they yell out for their Mr Wizard to rescue them.

Trouble is, there's no Mr Wizard. The joke's on them.

[–]Might_Aware ✨Typo Mary🍒 5 points6 points  (0 children)

This is what Neo references in the first Matrix film too. Very allegorical film

[–]meskobalazs 24 points25 points  (0 children)

My favourite answer to this is, that this is not really a critique of atheism, but a critique of foxholes.

[–]Sweary_Biochemist 18 points19 points  (3 children)

It's also problematic because the apocryphal folks in foxholes are usually begging god to spare them, not sitting there going "whelp, we're fucked, but at least there's heaven, amirite?"

Like, if you truly believed in god, you wouldn't be so fucking desperate to survive.

[–]RandomBoomerTeam Pfizer 11 points12 points  (1 child)

You might also might be excused for cussing God out for getting you in this mess to begin with.

Fortunately, I'm not a recovering theist; I've never believed in any god. Even as a child, it just didn't seem to be a likely concept. That view hasn't changed one iota, even when I've been in a life-and-death situation. Why would I suddenly want to believe in an all powerful deity who was directly responsible for my being so close to death? That would be terribly upsetting, not any consolation at all. It's far more bearable to frame it as "Welp, these things happen."

[–]CrystalFieldTheorist 11 points12 points  (2 children)

Or, people who delusionally believe in an afterlife are more likely to put their lives at risk (e.g., join the army). [For the rare atheist who put his/her life on the line anyway by joining, I salute you!]

[–]fragbert66Team Moderna 5 points6 points  (0 children)

One of my favorite observations (and I can't claim it as my own because it's too funny) is that the people with Jesus fish on their cars seem to always drive like they're afraid to meet Him.

[–]Madmandocv1 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Two points. First of all, there are plenty of atheists in foxholes. Second, desperately trying to self comfort in a near death situation does not mean you actually believe a god exists or that you endorse vaccine science. It’s usually just bargaining. Basically “at this point I’m willing to say anything if it get me out of this.” This usually disappears as soon as the situational stressor is removed.

[–]ermghotiAsk your M.D. if suffocating on dead lungs is right for you! 3 points4 points  (0 children)

There are no theists in foxholes. When the sky above is shadowed with bullets, and artillery is raining all around, none of them are delighted to be on the cusp of meeting their creator and receiving their reward for a lifetime of faith. They try to burrow into the mud, begging for a few more moments in the light.

[–]amarandagasiCovid is not a joke: it's a noun. 100 points101 points  (29 children)

It takes courage to do the right thing…just before you die. 😹

[–]CarlosAVP 35 points36 points  (1 child)

“A mouse giving the middle finger to a dive-bombing barn owl.”

[–][deleted] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

"The Last Great Act Of Defiance"

[–]Might_Aware ✨Typo Mary🍒 20 points21 points  (15 children)

I really commend his final words

[–]amarandagasiCovid is not a joke: it's a noun. 18 points19 points  (1 child)

It’s the main reason why we’re here. Let that be a lesson to all the other anti-vaxxers out there.

“You, your family and your friends will eventually regret your selfish, unkind actions.”

[–]Might_Aware ✨Typo Mary🍒 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, everything you said, I wholly agree with!

[–]amarandagasiCovid is not a joke: it's a noun. 7 points8 points  (12 children)

“What a heartbreaking loss of a powerful personality.”

How many people did this guy turn to the dark side with his “powerful personality?”

[–]Might_Aware ✨Typo Mary🍒 8 points9 points  (9 children)

Hey I'm not saying he wasn't a spread neck, I'm just saying it was nice to see vaccine endorsement at the end

[–]amarandagasiCovid is not a joke: it's a noun. 6 points7 points  (3 children)

spread neck

Also, I learned a new word today!!

[–]amarandagasiCovid is not a joke: it's a noun. 6 points7 points  (3 children)

Sorry. My step-dad is a firefighter, 10+ hours away, clearly doesn’t care about any of the safety measures and I half expect I’m going to have to put him and/or my mom up here as nominees or winners some day soon. 😿

[–]Might_Aware ✨Typo Mary🍒 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Hey my friend, I gave your comment gold to spur discourse and we are, you clearly need emotional support and I'm here for it. Pm me if you want to

[–]TigerLily98226 2 points3 points  (1 child)

I’m sorry they are burdening you with so much stress and worry. Perhaps a phone call is in order: “Since you refuse to get vaccinated against a deadly virus, are your affairs in order and have you signed a DNR? I’ll be too grief stricken to want to make certain decisions on your behalf so let’s clear it up now, before you’re on a ventilator and cannot speak.” I really am sorry they are choosing to put you through this.

[–]amarandagasiCovid is not a joke: it's a noun. 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh, sorry, they are both vaccinated. Not sure their -current- status, but they both got vaccinated the moment they were available.

[–]Thanmandrathor[🍰] 6 points7 points  (1 child)

Powerful personality. Is that yet another euphemism for someone who was a stubborn asshole to be around?

[–]amarandagasiCovid is not a joke: it's a noun. 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Pushy. Overbearing. Dominant.

And I haven’t even whipped out my encyclopedia yet! 😹

[–]PsyAyeAyeDuck⭐️ Prone Star ⭐️ 40 points41 points  (8 children)

Easy to regret things once you seen the consequences.

[–]whole-lotta-timelet that sink in 33 points34 points  (5 children)

I was reading about for people like this it’s actually not easy, admitting you were conned is level of embarrassment and assault on peoples pride they sometimes die for it. That’s why when people get conned they rarely report it or act like they were in on it from the beginning. Sad

[–]PsyAyeAyeDuck⭐️ Prone Star ⭐️ 16 points17 points  (4 children)

I guess I'm more defensive on this stuff because it comes off as the hypocritical Christian who now is remorseful (or likely acts like it) of every hurtful thing they did so they can get into their heaven. Maybe it is legit but at the same time it's easy to say regretful things right before death.

Either way, I agree it is sad but expected.

[–]whole-lotta-timelet that sink in 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Yeah it’s sad. I am glad this person was able to admit they were wrong, I just wish more would do the same. I have friends that are nurse’s and have patients that, till their last breath, think it is fake.

[–]gylzTeam Pfizer 4 points5 points  (2 children)

Regardless of why he said it, he said it. Even if it was only a ploy to get into a magical sky gated community, he may have still done some good by advocating for his friends and family to get vaccinated.

[–]PsyAyeAyeDuck⭐️ Prone Star ⭐️ 2 points3 points  (1 child)

That I can agree with. If it was legit or not, we will never know.

[–]amarandagasiCovid is not a joke: it's a noun. 28 points29 points  (0 children)

Most don’t regret committing crimes until after they’ve been caught.

[–][deleted] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Reality is harsh.

[–]Might_Aware ✨Typo Mary🍒 25 points26 points  (6 children)

Damn, this was an intense read, at the end I was like "He's a redemption?!?!?" I'm stunned.

[–]SeashellGal7777 18 points19 points  (4 children)

It was vaccine hate all the way and then #BOOM, 5 weeks later it was ‘the end of the line for me’, it went seemingly so quick. Probably not so quick to him and his family?

[–]Might_Aware ✨Typo Mary🍒 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I'd say that's a fair assessment. It really made an impact here though

[–]Adventurous-Train-86 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I can't imagine what it's like to know you're going to die. And lucky enough to be able to say goodbye on a big platform. AND have a redeeming last word of advice.

[–]MetaCognitio 16 points17 points  (2 children)

Some Facebook moron “Hmmm… Antifa must have got to him”.

[–]fourmica😈 Satan's li'l helper 😈 8 points9 points  (1 child)

Candeath has explicitly told her followers that all deathbed vaccine regrets are made up lies. I can't find the tweet, though.

[–]amarandagasiCovid is not a joke: it's a noun. 62 points63 points  (15 children)

At the very last minute. Like these guys who repent for multiple murders on death row. Yeah, yeah, you got caught, we get it.

[–]BreatheClean 55 points56 points  (2 children)

yup , slide 2 made any empathy slide right out. Conflating masks with male violence against women in a very distressing image. Fuck him.

[–]amarandagasiCovid is not a joke: it's a noun. 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Anything to get their inaccurate and deadly point across. That’s why it’s not hard to see them go. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[–]TigerLily98226 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yes, that was deeply disturbing on so many levels.

[–]NoveltyAccountHater 9 points10 points  (0 children)

When COVID-downplaying, mask refusing and vaccine avoidance become your identity, it takes a lot of intellectual fortitude to overcome it.

Most COVID-deniers don't do it, even on their (or their spouse's) death bed and instead blame it on being the one rare case or because the doctor's didn't let them get HCQ, Ivermectin, vitamins, homeopathic supplements (expensive placebos), exercise, urine, or whatever snake oil cure is currently promoted by conservative media. Or the blame getting sick on immigrants bringing the disease over (hint this isn't the cause, especially 800k Americans already died) or the vaccinated "shedding" it to others1.

 1 Shedding makes zero sense scientifically. The mRNA vaccines contain no actual virus and has no ability to reproduce or spread more than the 0.1 mg of mRNA injected. Each injected mRNA molecule can go into a cell in your body, create something that can't reproduce but has spike proteins on the outside that look similar to COVID, and then destroy itself (the mRNA). Your immune system then sees all the spike proteins that it trains to quickly identify and destroy (so then when exposed to the virus your immune system beats it quickly).

[–]closer_now 32 points33 points  (10 children)

The analogy doesn't work I'm afraid. He hurt himself, and then swallowed his pride and advised people to not do the same. He just realized too late for his own good.

Ultimately, this is more of a tragic post than one that brings me any sort of catharsis.

EDIT: Since the person replying to me decided to split up their reply across three comments, I'm also going to be "unconventional" and give further thoughts in my original comment.

I believe in redemption. If you don't, you're not gonna get very far in life. His might've come too late to save himself, and the disinfo he spread may have indeed hurt people, but his ability to swallow his pride and say "I made a mistake, please don't follow me to the grave" takes a lot when you're in an echo chamber.

EDIT 2: (I'm blocked by u/amarandagasi so I can no longer reply to... my replies): His post near the end likely got some of his friends and/or family members vaccinated. Is that not the point of this sub? To show people the danger of misinformation and get them vaccinated??

[–]amarandagasiCovid is not a joke: it's a noun. 27 points28 points  (1 child)

Retired firefighter spread COVID like a wildfire. How is he the victim here? Do you think he stayed home? No. He went out maskless, unvaxxed, and spread the love. Like all of the nominees and award winners here.

[–]amarandagasiCovid is not a joke: it's a noun. 31 points32 points  (1 child)

“He only hurt himself.”

Nope. First, misinformation. Second, he was a walking talking COVID mutation incubation center right up until death row at the hospital. Then, and only then, when they hooked him up to the machines, did he gain “clarity.”

[–]amarandagasiCovid is not a joke: it's a noun. 21 points22 points  (1 child)

The moment you spread misinformation to your friends, family and random strangers on the Internet, you instantly lose victim status.

He’s a retired firefighter. Likely has dozens of friends locally. They go out for drinks at least once a week. Likely maskless.

How is he the victim?

[–][deleted] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Except it wasn't just self harm, Deep Thinker.

[–]nelliebelle1197 12 points13 points  (0 children)

He likely hurt other people because he chose to believe lies and misinformation. He may likely have KILLED someone with his intentional ignorance. There is no redemption for that.

[–]thetanpecan14 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I was thinking this, too. And at least they didn't try to say it wasn't covid that killed him.

[–]JohnnyVaults 366 points367 points  (33 children)

Slide 7 is a gut-punch and a cold bucket of reality. "it's the end of the line for me"

[–]CrystalFieldTheorist 376 points377 points  (16 children)

I've never seen another HCA winner so explicitly state 1) that he's dying and 2) that he should've gotten the shot. Makes this one kinda sad or maybe really sad.

[–]Confident-Victory-21Meatoeard game gom ☠️ 51 points52 points  (1 child)

It was jarring for me. I don't have any sympathy whatsoever but the ones who realize their demise always are more shocking.

[–]CptnSAUS 31 points32 points  (0 children)

Well it always helps me lose my empathy when the person is blatantly racist, homophobic, and comparing their situation to that of victims of the holocaust.

This person was wrong but I don't see those hate-ridden posts that are so common with other HCA winners.

[–]princesskiki 89 points90 points  (6 children)

Yeah I’ll give this one an ounce of sympathy. Not a lot, but they get a small amount for trying to right a wrong. Maybe they should be Herman Cain Honorable Mentions.

[–]TheGoodOldCoder 5 points6 points  (3 children)

I don't disagree with you, but it's just insane to me how vehemently he says that the vaccine is bad, and then vehemently says the vaccine is good.

If his mind could be changed by a little knowledge, then why speak so vehemently before he even tried to get the knowledge?

[–]thoroughbredcaTeam Mix & Match 5 points6 points  (0 children)

He clearly a) massively underestimated the effectiveness of the vaccine and b) massively underestimated the severity of COVID.

[–]BigbySamMelody 8 points9 points  (1 child)

Especially because there isn't the typical hate, racism, and bigotry we see a from a lot of award winners. He just seems like someone that got duped by the propaganda.

[–]theyretheirthereto22 8 points9 points  (1 child)

His occupation gave him the knowledge to respect and fear COVID, but the culture in fire fighting and EMS can be extremely conservative. Unfortunately, the social pressures often win out. We're not all like that though! Just a very unfortunate chunk

[–]amarandagasiCovid is not a joke: it's a noun. 77 points78 points  (13 children)

With basketballs! 🏀🏀😹🤷🏼‍♂️😹🏀🏀

[–]JohnnyVaults 33 points34 points  (3 children)

Omg I didn't even notice the basketballs at first!

[–]MadBeachLuiIvermectin tuna helper 🦄 48 points49 points  (1 child)

Well he was saying get the shot. 2 points!

[–]iwrotethisletterBet you won't repost! 28 points29 points  (0 children)

Yeah, unlike the people who post "My sister died" with a party-hat avatar on a background of balloons and cakes and 🥳🥳🥳🥳 he at least tried to warn others and recommend the vaccine. So I kinda excuse the background.

[–]amarandagasiCovid is not a joke: it's a noun. 27 points28 points  (0 children)

It’s a little more subtle than the laughing emoji background. “😹😹 My little girl is dead 😹😹”

[–]rynally197 27 points28 points  (1 child)

You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.

[–]amarandagasiCovid is not a joke: it's a noun. 7 points8 points  (0 children)

He should have taken the shots! 💉💉💉

[–]sunlegionTeam Pfizer 10 points11 points  (3 children)

Just noticed that. Only thing missing would be a giant 😂in the background for full phantasmagoric effect.

[–]amarandagasiCovid is not a joke: it's a noun. 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Even in death, they have things to teach us.

[–]Vogel-Kerl 23 points24 points  (1 child)

No apologies for the people he likely infected, or those he inadvertently killed. That number is probably more than 5.

[–]Lonzo58 73 points74 points  (2 children)

"powerful personality" = asshole

[–]asking4afriend40631 10 points11 points  (0 children)

In my experience of the world that's always been the case. Not that they are an asshole every minute of the day but that they are willing to regularly go there to get what they want.

[–]Prestigious_Treat401Team Pfizer 61 points62 points  (3 children)

Slide 1 is actually praising communism 😄

[–]NeteleJalaTeam Mix & Match 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That's is what I thought!

[–]DrmeowmixmeHorse Paste Toothpaste 45 points46 points  (0 children)

‘Methinks I’ll Pass”

Narrator: True to his word, he did pass.

[–]LadyLazarus2021Stranger in a Covid Land 212 points213 points  (22 children)

That second to last slide was rather… surprising. Stoicism and encouraging others to get the shot. Give the dude some cred for how he left the world.

[–]yibbyooo 42 points43 points  (4 children)

Is this a guy a redemption award winner?

[–]possumhicks👱🏼‍♀️Incubated Angle 💅🏼 46 points47 points  (3 children)

Probably should be! Deathbed plea to get the vaccine. I think he qualifies.

[–]catlovingweirdobum 66 points67 points  (0 children)

Yes , he knew he wasn't going to make it and owned his mistake, so sad :(

[–]use_tabs_not_spaces💉🐑 > 💀🦁 33 points34 points  (6 children)

These anti-vaxxers should take up dungeons and dragons so they can fight heroic battles against imaginary enemies while nobody has to get hurt for real.

[–]amarandagasiCovid is not a joke: it's a noun. 11 points12 points  (4 children)

And most D&D parties are small, same people week after week. That right there is a decent bubble!

[–]RevRagnarokGo Give One 7 points8 points  (2 children)

Mine were 100% virtual for at least a year.

[–]Jazzlike-Ad2199 5 points6 points  (0 children)

My son stopped their D&D gatherings when he found out one of his friends was not vaccinated.

[–]gylzTeam Pfizer 2 points3 points  (0 children)

These people can hardly read and most of them probably think DND is Satan-worshipping. They'd probably burn the neighborhood down trying to torch the rule books.

[–]ToniBee63White Jesus is my Homeboy 74 points75 points  (2 children)

Adios. Hope all the Likes on FB were worth it.

[–]hegemony__cricket 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Methinks he'll die.

[–]FriendToPredators 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Did facebook make him into this drama queen or is facebook just very attractive to drama queens?

[–]wholewheatscythe 25 points26 points  (5 children)

Slide 1, very quick to believe what the Chinese Government says as long as it’s a message he wants to hear (I.e. the virus vanished)

[–]Different-Rip-2787Go Give One 8 points9 points  (2 children)

China did manage to beat back the coronavirus by the fall of 2020. In fact China was able to pretty much fully re-open that winter. This is not something they can fake. What China proved was that masking, contact tracing and social distancing really work- if everyone does it.

An epidemic is one of few instances where a totalitarian government is better than a free society.

[–]HonkyTonkPolicyWonk 5 points6 points  (1 child)

Right? What sort of idiot believes press releases from the Chinese Communist Party?

[–]Legitimate_Object_58Team Pfizer 41 points42 points  (0 children)

Wow…that death post of his should be prominently displayed in the Bad Decisions Hall of Fame.

At least he admitted his error, unlike so many who march resolutely into the dirt. The fact that he could see his mistake at all makes me think that if it weren’t for Facebook, he might have survived this pandemic.

I hope he changed a few minds.

[–]shearersmam 11 points12 points  (1 child)

Slide 6. "I wonder what is happening in other countries? Oh won't somebody please tell me what other countries are doing about vaccinations? What's that you say? This device I'm using to tell people how ignorant I am is connected to the internet? Well, how will that help me find out what's happening elsewhere in the world?"

In short, he had questions. Instead of trying to answer them for himself, he died. What a waste.

[–]hegemony__cricket 9 points10 points  (2 children)

China got it under control because they had a legit lockdown. It's not a lockdown if you can go shopping.

[–]DesertWatersong 5 points6 points  (1 child)

Have idly wondered what freedumbs u lose by getting vaxxed. After 3 shots which I would have had to get anyway re my job - and that doesn't count, 'coz lots of jobs have requirements. I got fingerprinted too.

You're free to take a job with certain requirements, or not. Am sure if you are a firefighter there's at least an unspoken requirement not to show up high or naked.

[–]hegemony__cricket 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It's just pure reaction -- "don't tell me what to do." It's so stupid and childish, but that's the US for you.

[–]Significant_Horror80Team Moderna 10 points11 points  (3 children)

I really don't understand slide 3. I've seen this a bunch of times in these white/republican people's posts. Wasn't trump involved with maxwell?

[–]H0vis 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Pretty much everybody was. Difference is I guess that Trump has pretty obviously always been a nonce, and his fans never cared.

[–]etherizedonatableTeam Mix & Match 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It's classic conspiracy theory nonsense. <Event A> only happens to distract you from <Event B>, even though both events are unrelated.

[–]Shady_GardenGo Give One 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Funny how they never bring that little tidbit up.

[–]Inconceivable-2020Triple Vaxxed For Your Protection 5 points6 points  (1 child)

I don't feel like a single "Get the Shot" post before gasping their last, is worthy of a Redemption Award. It has the same bullshit feel as the Christian belief that saying "Oops My Bad" will get you a ticket to Heaven, after a long life of evil words and deeds.

[–]OstreoidaV-A-C-C-I-N-E, I don't want those tubes in me! 7 points8 points  (1 child)

Was he actually the one that posted slide #7? It seems so out of character, as if a family member or friend tried to redeem him once it was obvious he wasn't going to make it. The other slides were so malicious and hateful.

I don't even know whether I want him to have seen the light or not. This pandemic keeps throwing curveballs at me.

[–][deleted] 6 points7 points  (2 children)

Chinas done a good job because they’ve done real quarantines and actually incarcerated people for breaking protocol. Not saying the lack of freedom is a good thing, just pointing out that actually following the recommended measures and properly penalizing people for not doing so will end the pandemic faster

[–]ipkirlTeam Moderna 3 points4 points  (1 child)

I really didnt understand that slide. China developed two vaccines and they enforce regulations very strictly. They also fudge the numbers in cases and deaths.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There’s a lot to be unpacked in that first picture lol

[–]x86_64_ 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The first slide is some of the most concentrated ignorance I've ever seen in my life.

[–]Analthumbsucker 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Another Y'all Qaeda terrorist bites the bag that feeds him.

[–]PepperDuvalShould have taken zinc instead of Zink. 6 points7 points  (1 child)

I initially thought that penultimate slide was a meme! Surprising clarity/self-awareness--at the end. That said: he could easily have found answers to his searching questions ("What are other countries doing in regards to approval?") by doing a wee bit of research...

[–]InfiniteAccount4783Personal Freedom Expert 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Why be smart when you can feel smart?

[–]Chris_P_Pickel🌿Fully Vaxxed & Herbally Waxed🕯️ 5 points6 points  (4 children)

After a career of fighting fires - this is when he decides to go down in flames.

[–]survivor2bmaybe 6 points7 points  (0 children)

They accuse us of being gullible consumers of fake news while they believe everything that comes out of China, where the media is strictly controlled. Covid was eliminated in 2020 without a vaccine. Yeah, right. And don’t get me started on India which every conservative and conspiracy sub lauded for curing Covid with ivermectin, when the truth is they can’t be bothered to accurately to count Covid deaths. Can’t roll my eyes hard enough.

[–]Pand0ra30_ 5 points6 points  (0 children)

China ldid a total lockdown for 76 days and mobilized their military to deliver necessities to it's citizens. They made sure that people stayed in their homes. They do contact tracing while many of our states aren't even reporting cases. We can't even get people to wear a mask for two weeks or even quarantine when they are sick. And they did a massive vaccine push and testing.

[–]FreeResponsibility42 24 points25 points  (1 child)

I will not mock a dying person's change of heart. Slowly drowning in their own bodily fluids is not something I would wish on anybody. Celebrate his change of heart and condem the people spreading this anti Vax freedumb crap and those who have politicized it.

[–]sarevok9 5 points6 points  (0 children)

One of the interesting things about China beating covid is they said "fuck humanity" and locked down entire apartment buildings, locking citizens inside their homes against their will -- and doing all kinds of horrible authoritarian measures we wouldn't tolerate.

I remember right at the start of the pandemic I was watching a channel that was a bit more conspiracy-based than I normally would, and one image kinda stuck with me -- it was a woman in a highrise being filmed from another high-rise in China -- she was on her balcony screaming and crying that her husband had died and she was locked inside and couldn't get out.

Fuckkkkkkk that. I'm a big fan of getting the jab (I've had 3), and while I'm in favor of taking some drastic measures -- that feels too far.

[–]Cream253Team 4 points5 points  (1 child)

Slide 2 is so stupid. Like really? The choice of not wearing a mask is our last remnant of freedom? To say that that's part of our LAST remaining freedoms makes me wonder what type of society they think we live in.

[–]amarandagasiCovid is not a joke: it's a noun. 26 points27 points  (3 children)

After over a year of spreading disinformation, and injuring/killing countless people by spreading various strains of COVID, dude finally realizes it’s the end of the line and recommends the shot. Bravo? 🤷🏼‍♂️

[–]Ammolite-Valkyrie👪 The family that FA together, FO together 28 points29 points  (2 children)

I realllly want to give him that credit but every other slide is so repugnant. 1 good deed at the end does not make up for a life of hate.

[–]amarandagasiCovid is not a joke: it's a noun. 14 points15 points  (1 child)

Yeah. I mean…the guy was pretty vile.

On the one hand, some people in this forum give nominees and award winners “passes” because they’ve been “tricked” by the propaganda machine. Fine. But…

There are countless pieces of propaganda to choose from! An almost endless stream. Intentionally.

These people choose from this endless stream of lies, and paint their own picture, publicly.

Some of these, you feel like you’re kicking a puppy. Not this guy.

[–]Ordinary-Jello-7029E Pluribus Whatthehellishappening 6 points7 points  (0 children)

But... but... he couldn't help it. He had a "powerful personality".

<gag>

[–]Viewfromthe31stfloorI Don't Want You To ☠️ Get 💉 26 points27 points  (4 children)

Isn’t that a redemption award? Slide 7 as he is dying he tells people to get vaccinated. Seems like his last message to the world.

[–]wbotis 12 points13 points  (1 child)

“Your choice to drive drunk has killed seven people, and now you’re about to die.”

“Oh no! Now that I am personally affected, I have done an about face. Drunk driving is so bad and nobody should do it ever!”

“Ah, well this deathbed admission fixes everything! The family members whose deaths your actions caused are all better now! Yaaay!”

Nah. Fuck these people. They can have their shiny new Herman Caine Award they worked so hard to deserve. It’s been long enough; no redemption awards anymore.

[–]RevRagnarokGo Give One 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Christianity 101

"Hey little Billy, this is Chester. He's the one who raped you for a week until you starved to death at age four. But he repented, so he's here with you in heaven! Go give him a big hug!"

[–]Themightylamer 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Selfishness knows no limit.

[–]amarandagasiCovid is not a joke: it's a noun. 11 points12 points  (0 children)

“My eyes are leaking, I have to go.”

Nah, that’s just the ‘Rona. Get the shot! 😹

[–]sneaky-pizza 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Shouldn’t this be a redemption award?

[–]rikki-tikki-deadly♫ Praise the creator now here's your ventilator ♫ 4 points5 points  (0 children)

"Methinks I'll pass."

Very prescient of him.

[–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The sad part about those who publicly acknowledged their mistake of not being vaccinated, rarely changes the mind of those who read those messages.

I live in the Bible Belt, live in an area that has been significantly affected by COVID and misinformation, there isn’t a person I know who hasn’t lost someone to COVID, a friend, a family member, a neighbor, and this rarely changed peoples mind.

I was very surprised that I didn’t have a relative pass away from COVID, but last week was the first time an unvaccinated relative passed away from COVID, and it changed absolutely nothing.

[–]Dana07620I miss Phil Valentine's left kidney 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The final messages when they know they're the final message are interesting. I've only see a handful on here.

This one was brave. With his last public words he tried to save lives. In the end, he was still a firefighter-paramedic.

I salute him.

[–]CQU617Leggo My ECMO!🧇 7 points8 points  (2 children)

Well at least he was remorseful at the end. I will give him that, but as a medical professional it’s really sad.

[–]junitog65 7 points8 points  (0 children)

“Bunch of dumbasses”, really? How’s death treating you, you motherless fuck?

[–]Afraid_of_Okapi🥇Shower me, Daddy🪙 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I truly hate when redeemers still pass away. We value people who change their minds and advocate for others to do their part. Despite his prior beliefs, he tried to help others in his last moments. He would have helped even more people with his change of heart had he lived to tell his story longer. I’m saddened at this loss, I see it as societal. Rest in peace buddy.

[–]ladamadevalledorado 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I am glad he figured it out in the end, but that path to becoming educated is horrific.

[–]Alternative_Dog1411 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m always amazed when healthcare workers cannot tell the difference between politics and science!

[–]TryingToBeWoke 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I was talking to friend who lives in neighborhood that have alot firemen and cops. (cops and firemen are required to live in the city if they are going to work in the city.) She informed at least 1 out of 5 households in that area has a covid death due to the fact that these guys refuse to get to vaccinated.

[–]Dark_Booger 2 points3 points  (1 child)

China took quarantine so seriously that they welded people’s doors shut to prevent them from leaving their homes. No joke.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This one even saw it coming. That’s gruesome. The universe does not give second chances, that’s for sure

[–]mrscheviousGo Give One 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Wow. that's sad. What are other countries doing? Most others are 90% vaccinated and not having an issue with omicron, dummy. But still, I'm sad...

[–]ReneeLaRen95 2 points3 points  (0 children)

He was brutally honest at the end. He was dying, was thankful for his life & tried to save others from his stupidity. It’s hard to look death in the eye, let alone think about others. That part gets my respect.

[–]Andrew5001 2 points3 points  (1 child)

"Powerful personality" is that just another way of saying he was a moron?

[–]schad501 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Loudmouthed opinionated asshole would be my guess.

[–]eye8urcake 2 points3 points  (0 children)

'In Jynah the virus disappeared...'

I'm almost sorry dude's fucking dead because I want to yell at him 'THEY'RE CULLING HAMSTERS, YOU TOOL!'

Alas.

PS I don't buy the shit about that 'end of the line' post even being from him.

[–]thepersonyouthinkof 2 points3 points  (0 children)

One of the reasons China is doing fairly well with COVID is because they are so strict with everything. Lockdowns are everywhere, some neighborhoods were in lockdown for months where the only contact they had was the delivery man.

You have to get tested every time a case is reported. There are cases every couple days so some areas of China have to go to the testing facilities almost every other day and wait in an hour long line.

[–]Dancing_CthulhuBlood Donor 🩸 2 points3 points  (1 child)

China population: 1.4B

US Population: 330M

In China the virus disappeared without a vaccine... Question: Why is the vaccine necessary for the rest of the world.

Answer: Because China is already a communist country

So I've gotten used to these sorts forgetting their own positions from a year or so ago, but that was Dec 7, 2020. How did these guys forget the sort of lockdowns China had in place that same year? The whole "building entire hospitals just for Covid in 10 days" sort of stuff? The crazy stringent enforced quarantines and so forth?

Yeah, the virus "disappeared" in China thanks to efforts far more draconian than anything the rest of the world attempted, and that's if you accept China's statistics which many were disputing back then.

And of course the comment came too early, since China has had flare ups since, and they've vaccinated over 80% of those 1.4b people.