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Pete Parada Leaves The Offspring

Discussion in 'Article Discussion' started by Melody Bot, Aug 4, 2021.

  1. Melody Bot

    Your friendly little forum bot. Staff Member

    This article has been imported from chorus.fm for discussion. All of the forum rules still apply.

    Pete Parada, drummer for The Offspring, has posted he has left the band because he won’t get vaccinated.

    I’ve got some unfortunate and difficult news to share. I know many of my close friends and family would’ve preferred to hear this privately first – and I apologize for the public nature of my disclosure, but I don’t know how to have this conversation multiple times. Given my personal medical history and the side-effect profile of these jabs, my doctor has advised me not to get a shot at this time. I caught the virus over a year ago, it was mild for me – so I am confident I’d be able to handle it again, but I’m not so certain I’d survive another post-vaccination round of Guillain-Barré Syndrome, which dates back to my childhood and has evolved to be progressively worse over my lifetime. Unfortunately for me, (and my family – who is hoping to keep me around a bit longer) the risks far outweigh the benefits. Since I am unable to comply with what is increasingly becoming an industry mandate – it has recently been decided that I am unsafe to be around, in the studio, and on tour. I mention this because you won’t be seeing me at these upcoming shows. I also want to share my story so that anyone else experiencing the agony and isolation of getting left behind right now – knows they’re not entirely alone. I have no negative feelings towards my band. They’re doing what they believe is best for them, while I am doing the same. Wishing the entire Offspring family all the best as they get back at it! I’m heartbroken not to be seeing my road community, and I will miss connecting with the fans more than I can express in words. While my reason for not getting this jab is medical, I want to make sure I’m not carving out a space that is only big enough for me. I need to state, unequivocally, that I support informed consent – which necessitates choice unburdened by coercion. I do not find it ethical or wise to allow those with the most power (government, corporations, organizations, employers) to dictate medical procedures to those with the least power. There are countless folks (like me) for whom these shots carry a greater risk than the virus. Most of us don’t publicly share a private decision we made in careful consideration with our doctors. We know it’s not an easy conversation to unfold. If it looks like half the population is having a shockingly different reaction to these jabs than was expected – it’s probably because their life experiences have actually been shockingly different, and their reasons range from a conscientious risk/benefit analysis, to the financial inability to take time off work/lack of health care in the event of potential side-effects, to an understandable distrust in a system that has never prioritized the health or well-being of their communities. I hope we can learn to make room for all the perspectives and fears that are happening currently. Let’s avoid the unfortunate tendency to dominate, dehumanize and shout down at each other. The hesitant population is not a monolithic group. All voices deserve to be heard. In the meantime, I’m in the midst of launching a project and releasing some music with my daughter, so please stay tuned for all of that. I deeply appreciate your understanding and support as my family and I find a new way forward. Sending love to everyone who has been impacted by this pandemic, in all the ways lives have been lost and altered.

    Pete Parada
    more

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    Raku likes this.
  2. TDenverFan

    Regular

    I'm a little curious about his claim that the doctor recommended he not get the shot.

    But I would assume Dexter (or I guess Dr. Holland, as it is) at least is taking this seriously, he does have a Phd in molecular chemistry
     
    Analog Drummer likes this.
  3. tomtom94

    Trusted

    na na why don't you get a jab

    (yes I'm aware Pete has medical reasons but the joke is right there)
     
  4. He mentions in the thread that he's dealt with Guillain-Barré in the past, so it makes sense.
    I'm curious if the band has discussed the terms for getting him included again -- is he out for good? Back in when the pandemic has ebbed to a point where they're satisfied?
     
    Raku and sowrongitsryan like this.
  5. failinginplace

    Regular

    Here's what I don't like-
    If he has a legit medical reason for not getting it, then cool I support that. Makes sense. But quotes like this piss me off. Because IS half the population having SHOCKINGLY DIFFERENT REACTIONS?! No, they aren't. But throwing bullshit like that out there unfounded is contributing to the massive amount of polarization and misinformation going around about the pandemic. Stop.
     
  6. itsallabouttheg

    Newbie

    A Facebook friend posted a similar type of rant, and I'm so baffled by folks equating medical contraindications, fear/nervousness, and outright ignorance.
     
  7. ManchesterOrch8

    Motel. Money. Murder. Madness.

    I’m very immunosuppressed, if I get sick - I get SICK. But never for a moment did I hesitate in getting vax’d.

    These folks are getting obsessed with weirdo junk science, and it’s killing people. I understand he’s dealt with medical issues in the past, but without knowing or looking at ANY numbers for ANY medication he’s ever taken for these issues, I can guarantee you that the number of adverse reactions to THOSE medications dwarf any associated with getting the vaccine.

    But because you’ve bought into the hype of all the mRNA vaccines and the ~risks~, you’re allowing yourself (and potentially others) the wonderful opportunity to now deal with Delta, Delta+, and whatever other variants that will continue to pop up - ON TOP OF YOUR PREEXISTING CONDITIONS.

    Insanity.
     
    trevorshmevor likes this.
  8. heymattrick

    Pool Boy at the Vampire Mansion

    Yeah, it’s not the decision to not take the vaccine due to pre-existing conditions for me, it’s the last part where he says he supports people not taking it due to distrust in the government and stuff.
     
  9. seanxwilliams

    Scar crossed lovers, forever


    Comment of the year right here
     
  10. SuNDaYSTaR

    Regular Prestigious

    Something about keeping them separated.
     
    beachdude and thechetearly like this.
  11. sammyboy516

    Trusted Prestigious

    Let’s be clear here - the CDC has recommended that people with his condition not get the Johnson and Johnson vaccine but says that the other vaccines are totally fine for people with Guillain-Barré.

    This guy’s post is “I have a medical exemption” surrounded by a whole lot of pseudo-science and anti-vaccine rhetoric. I don’t think he left the band because he can’t get the vaccine due to a medical condition. I think he was kicked out because he’s an anti-vax nut lol.