Appreciate the thoughtful comment, cgod.

I've left Hubski a few times. Mostly because y'all were ignoring bad actors and telling me I was being mean and over reacting

You were right. wasoxygen was right and so many others. Please accept my (I think I can say, "our") apology.

As someone who knows a recipient of a heart transplant rather well, all caution has to be taken when you have a heart transplant.

I am sure that these precautions are well warranted. Again, and with emphasis, I think this young women's parents are FUCKING INSANE for not getting her vaccinated in order to get a heart transplant. Full stop.

The point I was clumsily trying to make is that the covid vaccine, like the flu vaccine, isn't terribly effective and I no longer think it should be mandated, in general.

However, I am DEF not a physician and if the reason that a heart transplant recipient should get the vaccine is because even though it is only nominally effective, it's still a safeguard, that tracks

If you won't stop drinking, smoking, if you are over weight, if you won't get all your vaccinations than you don't qualify

Makes sense. If you're not willing to take these measures, and someone else is, then the more compliant person should become the custodian of that new heart.

The story of the girl is sad but it's not unreasonable.

The most unreasonable part are the parents. I tried to make that point and simultaneously point out that if I could go back in time I wouldn't have had my children (thankfully not in need of a heart transplant) get the covid vaccine. Not because I am anti vax. My kids are fully compliant with the vaccine schedule, but because it's unnecessary. They're healthy and not in any danger from Covid. I wouldn't have had them get the hpv vaccine at birth either. Why? They're not in any danger of contracting hpv as a baby. But the others, I would do again. My father-in-law, he should definitely be getting the covid vaccine. He's older and not in the best shape.

In short, it's okay to question the need for medical mandates. it's a conversation worth having. Vaccines are BIG business in the US. As a Pharma company, getting your drug on the vaccine schedule is the golden ticket. Every newborn is your customer, there is no risk of liability. That sort of incentive is corrupting. We should be skeptical. Having said that, vaccines are among our greatest achievements. Amazing science/medicine

I think the person who was mean to you probably has had to go through a lot when it comes to their heart. It's hard to understand the difficulty that entails, it's a lot of time, fear, suffering and uncertainty. I have some sympathy. I also think that person is a dick otherwise in many ways but WTE.

And I could have empathy for that person, if they weren't such a complete asshole. So much anger these days and LOT's of assumptions. "If you think this, then you must think this." It's exhausting.

I am rooting for your friend. If he has a go-fund-me, post it here. I'd be glad to help and perhaps others would too?

Thanks for the song, while I take the Hubski hiatus, I'll be checking in on that weeklymusicthread. See you there.

Onward!