My brother died this Saturday morning from Covid.

[RicROC]

a) avid Trump supporter
b) refused to be vax'd, and proud of it
c) took 3 weeks from the time he was infected.
d) lived in Georgia, died in a Florida hospital
e) refused to get health insurance
f) refused to vote for universal health insurance issues because the immigrants would get free health care

Do any or all of these points fit a pattern? *sarcasm*

[brer cat]

1. I'm sorry for your loss, RicROC,

even though he brought it on himself. Such an unnecessary tragedy.

[JoanofArgh]

2. Sorry for your loss.

[LiberalLoner]

3. I'm so sorry for your loss.

[duhneece]

4. Another victim of Trump's mass killing spree nt

[Trueblue Texan]

5. I'm sorry...

We try to tell them, but they just won't listen.

[AngryOldDem]

6. So sorry. Deepest condolences to you and your family.

[MaryMagdaline]

7. I'm so sorry for you and for your brother's entire family

[malaise]

8. So sad

[Rustyeye77]

9. I'm so sorry.

Terrible

[Hortensis]

10. We're sorry for your loss, RicROC, and for what the extremism

your brother was caught up in did to him, and you.

RIP.

[TexasTowelie]

11. My brother has a, b, and f covered with a probable on c.

Not likely for d and e only happened through the VA. He has never used his employer provided health insurance and goes to the VA instead even though he has to drive 100 miles to get there.

My condolences on the loss of your brother.

[marble falls]

12. First of all, I am sorry for your loss. He made those choices, but he was victimized and ...

... taken advantage of, too.

[keithsw]

13. Sorry to hear this RicRoc

How old was he? if you don't mind me asking.

[RicROC]

81. 64. three weeks short of Medicare.

[keithsw]

93. This is just

A sad story all around. Please accept my condolences

[BittyJenkins]

14. They do

My sister won’t get vaccinated for a million other reasons and I worry so much. She refuses to take any precautions except she wears a mask. I know if my parents were alive she might listen to them....there is no way she will listen to me. It is hard.

[MLAA]

15. I have a similar brother.

I expect you might have a complex mix of anger and grief. I think that would be my reaction.

Sending you love.

[RicROC]

82. you have that right...

and then I fall (briefly) into a mode where I blame myself for turning off my empathy gene.

[NNadir]

89. I have a brother from whom I'm estranged, and I understand somewhat, the complexity...

...of what you must feel.

I treat my brother as if he were dead, and someday he might be, and it's possible I'll hear of it and won't know what to feel at the time.

It was not with you; it was with him, I think. It doesn't sound to me as if there was anything you could have done differently that would have prevented the outcome.

I wish you peace.

[Likeasheep]

120. Treat brother as if we're dead

My husband’s brother died last year and my husband was not even recognized as a family member in the obituary because after the former guy was elected my husband let his koolaid drinking family know that to not discuss politics during his visits. They haven’t spoken in four years. My husband wasn’t told about his brothers death only that his brother was in the hospital from another family member. He does think about his brother and his loss but doesn’t feel bad that he stood up to his family.

[NNadir]

121. I feel for your husband. For me it's been over 20 years.

I wouldn't be surprised if my brother was a Trump banger; he could be the type, but I don't know.

The distance between he and I is, I think, deeper than politics. He was an interesting guy, very funny, very bright, and very toxic. It was about family issues between us and, among other things, his treatment of women.

[gopiscrap]

127. welcome to DU

[Ohio Joe]

16. RIP

[Sherman A1]

17. My condolences on your loss

Truly sad.

[SheilaAnn]

18. Condolences to you and your family.

[area51]

19. I'm sorry for your loss.

[boston bean]

20. Very sorry for your loss.

I have a family member who is a health nut who refuses the vaccine and swears she had covid early 2020. She doesn’t feel she needs it. I am praying to keep her and her family safe. There is not much more I can do.

[Duncanpup]

21. So sorry

[sarge43]

22. Condolences, RicROC

[Tadpole Raisin]

23. So sorry for your loss!

The mix of emotions must be difficult…

[NurseJackie]

24. Interesting.

How old was he?

[FailureToCommunicate]

25. So sorry RicROC. It sounds like your bother was already "lost" to FOX, etc, before you lost him.

Right wing media is such a scourge on our society...and it is actively promoting a mindset that makes people estranged from other family members ...AND can kill them.

Awful.

[BlueStater]

26. I'm sorry. You have my condolences.

My uncle is also an anti-vaxxer who lives in Florida. I worry about his stupid ass everyday.

[Rorey]

27. I'm sorry you have to go through this

The brainwashing of the trumpCult is a true tragedy.

[Blue Dawn]

28. I am so very sorry for your loss.

[recovering_democrat]

29. Condolences for your family

Condolences for the outcome of this continuing set of circumstances that we unfortunatelly learned about entirely too often. It is a continuing sad pattern.

Thinking of your family in this situation. May you avoid any other impacts from this pattern.

[roamer65]

30. Sorry to hear he put you through all of this needless grief.

[niyad]

31. so very sorry for your loss. May you and yours find peace and comfort.

[MineralMan]

32. I'm very sad about your brother.

So many unnecessary deaths from this virus.

[CaptainTruth]

33. I'm so sorry...

[cate94]

34. I'm sorry for your loss.

[IrishAfricanAmerican]

35. Condolences

[flying_wahini]

36. The saddest part is that it was all so unnecessary. My condolences.

Part of my sadness is that they thought that it was all for A Cause. Not just the flu.

[SergeStorms]

37. Condolences, RicROC.

I hope there were happy memories from your youth, before you both went your separate directions on the political spectrum. Try to dwell in those times, and leave your differences behind.

My sincere condolences to your family and yourself.

[GPV]

38. I'm so very sorry

[Tanuki]

39. I am sorry for what you, your family, and all who loved him must be going through.

What a tragedy it is that he allowed himself to be indoctrinated and that he chose this hill to die on. It is a sad and hard thing to lose someone you love. I can only hope that a small consolation can come out of this, in that someone in his circle who was holding out will learn from this and seek vaccination.

[Greybnk48]

40. It's like you lost him twice. So very sad.

Please accept my heartfelt condolences, RicROC. It's tough.

[Lonestarblue]

41. How tragic. So many people in this country have lost their lives because of willful ignorance.

So sorry for your loss. I hope your family can focus on the good things in his life rather than a bad decision.

[demtenjeep]

42. I am so so very sorry

no words

[DemUnleashed]

43. RIP

My deepest condolences!

[Marthe48]

44. Sorry for your loss

Peace.

[twodogsbarking]

45. Stay strong. Live your life to the fullest.

Condolences to all affected.

[TheBlackAdder]

46. That's horrible. I'm so sorry to hear that.

[bluestarone]

47. Sorry to hear this

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

48. So sorry to hear this. Deepest condolences.

[LittleGirl]

49. I'm so sorry. My sincere condolences. eom

[MontanaMama]

50. I'm very sorry for your loss.

I see the pattern you describe. And, it still hurts to lose someone you love.

[scrabblequeen40]

51. I am so sorry for your loss.

When covid hits home, it hits hard. So sorry.

[llashram]

52. it is sad

that part of 'the big lie' killed your brother. trump person or not I commiserate with your personal loss. Another in the 600,000+ trump has murdered.

[FakeNoose]

53. May he Rest in Peace

Somehow your brother lost his way. I'm sorry for your loss RicROC. I hope your brother's death brings enlightenment to others in your family.

[FM123]

54. I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your brother.

Such an unnecessary tragedy, he was not only a victim of covid but of the low-information trumpy group that betrayed him with lies.

[Celerity]

56. so sorry to hear this, my condolences to you and the family

[Pepsidog]

57. Sorry to hear. Another senseless Fox caused death.

[mcar]

58. I'm sorry for your loss

[RestoreAmerica2020]

59. Sorry for your loss.

Paz

[RestoreAmerica2020]

60. It's sad really bc his death could have been prevented. Hope people around him have taken

..precautions to protect themselves from covid19 and or variants. I fear we will hear more of these stories. I fear it will get worse before it gets better..and what is most alarming is that people who chose to be unvaccinated whether bc they are just a$$h#le republicans, covid19 deniers and or anti-vaxers [have a few in my family ] are all putting our already stressed healthcare workers at risk, they are exhausted. Read where doctors and or nurses at one hospital walked out due to rise in covid cases. Yet, regardless of the path they chose, the loss of a loved one is painful. Take care.

Paz

[Upthevibe]

61. RicRoc....

I'm so sorry that your brother became one of the many brainwashed people belonging to "the c.o.t." (cult of trump - This is how I'm going to start referring to these people).

This behavior is so completely disturbing on so very many levels I don't even know where to start.

I'm just freaked out this is happening. I hope with everything in me (and I'll also volunteer, march, and be pro-active in all the ways I can) that this terrifying behavior starts to diminish. I mean it's like we've been in a car with a drunk driver and because President Biden (THANK GOD) won the election we're out of the car but we're still somehow attached to the car. We're in danger.

What these cult members do directly effects us all!

I'm sorry for the rant and once again, I'm sorry your brother was in this cult......

[NJCher]

62. Let's call it like it is

(and you have)

We have a governor in Florida who has policies in place that will kill children.

If schools mandate a mask, he will pull their funding.

Already one principal has said she is mandating masks. Will she lose her funding? We will see.

In my state our progressive governor Phil Murphy said all schools must have a policy of masks for students and teachers.

RicRoc, I, too, am sorry that your brother fell into this cult. I have a brother who is a MAGAT, too, so I know. This brother and I no longer have any association.

[RicROC]

84. I'm more harsh than you are....

IF a person has a reason not to be vax'd, ie. allergies, MS, autoimmune, then I give them a pass because they are already very careful around whom they socialize or shop.

BUT for the ones who have made this political, I call them 'domestic terrorists'! This is just another form of coup and insurrection, to create conflict and division.

[ProfessorGAC]

112. MS Is A Reason To Not Get Vaxxed?

Sorry to hijack your thread, but I've had MS for 26 years and nobody told me I shouldn't get vaxxed.
I've specifically had a doctor ask me if I was vaxxed yet, back in April. He knows I have MS, and has since 2005.
Wondering where you heard that, as it's a surprise to me.

[JudyM]

63. Such sad and challenging emotions to work through, I'm so sorry.

Repukes’ manipulative messaging is a massive crime. May they come to deeply regret the pain they’ve caused. Meanwhile, wishing you some semblance of peace and flashes of good memories to comfort you in the midst of your grief.

[StarryNite]

64. I'm so sorry for your loss RicRoc.

So many of the Covid deaths could have been avoided. We tend to blame the people who made the poor choices that led to their deaths but brainwashing is real. And it happens to good people who otherwise may be considered intelligent. May your brother rest in peace.

[DinahMoeHum]

65. Words fail me here.

[Politicub]

66. I'm so sorry.

[Chainfire]

67. I am sorry that you lost your brother.

It appears he was a perfect example of someone cutting their nose off to spite their face.

[dalton99a]

68. My condolences.

[Rustyeye77]

69. I have to ask as it is hot topic.

Was he married?
kids?
is it possible he gave it to someone else?
Do you know who might have given it to him?

[RicROC]

83. single...divorce came through a month ago.

All the kids live up north. His 1st ex/ mother of his children refuses to be vax'd. So, I had a talk with son #1 to sit down with her and have a good heart-to-heart.

[Rustyeye77]

85. Sheeesh...i an so sorry

[electric_blue68]

70. So sad. My condolences, and Strength to you and family.

I also echo JudyM, Serge Storms, marble falls, Greybnk's sentiments and thoughts...

[Texaswitchy]

71. Most of us have family like that.

Nothing you can do to change them.

[BobTheSubgenius]

73. No pun intended, but you are dead right about that.

If imminent death isn't enough to change their minds, what could you possibly say that would be?

[Texaswitchy]

74. You can just take care of your own life.

Sad way to go.

Couple of shots and he would still be here.

[hurple]

72. Sorry that happened.

But, especially sorry for his immediate family since you say he refused to have health insurance. They will be paying for his death, literally, for the rest of their lives. Yikes!

[RicROC]

86. I had a talk with him 3 times over the years...

and I announced clearly to the family last Sunday, that he was lucid when he made those decisions, and I AM NOT GOING TO PAY FOR ANY MEDICAL BILLS. Let his Trump friends bail them out.

[shrike3]

75. I am very sorry for you and his other loved ones.

[Ziggysmom]

76. I am so sorry I cannot imagine the flood of emotions you feel.

DAMMIT! Americans should be united against the virus! Fighting together like we did in WWII.
Not fighting each other, NO mask vs antimask, right vs left or R vs D.

The enemy should be the frickin virus! WTF is wrong with people?

[Phoenix61]

77. I'm so sorry. nt

[brewens]

78. Sorry for your loss. Better make sure he doesn't vote in upcoming elections. n/t

[liberalla]

79. How very frustrating! and so sad... I'm very sorry for your loss.

[LymphocyteLover]

80. so tragic --- what the fucking murderous rightwing has done is criminal

[Grins]

88. No insurance? Hospital bill will arrive in a month.

And his surviving wife will have to pay it.

And if she doesn’t - the rest of us will!!

[roamer65]

109. They will come after the assets.

Liens are a powerful tool for subrogation.

[3catwoman3]

90. Sad enough when someone dies from something that could not be helped/avoided.

So much more so when there was action that could have been taken.

[smirkymonkey]

91. I'm so sorry for your loss, RicROC.

My condolences to you and your extended family.

[Ishoutandscream2]

92. I'm so sorry

Peace be with you and your family.

[sheshe2]

94. I am so sorry for your loss.

[iemanja]

95. I'm so sorry for your loss.

[Vinca]

96. That's a shame, but in the end you can't save people from themselves.

I feel sorry if he left a widow behind who'll be getting some eye-popping hospital bills very soon.

[shenmue]

97. My condolences

[LowerManhattanite]

98. Damn. I am so very sorry.

🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 for your family.

[crickets]

99. I'm so sorry, RicROC.

[susanr516]

100. I'm very sorry for your loss

Almost all of my family and in-laws are Talibangelical right-wingers. Fortunately, several of them got Covid in the first and second waves when it was a little less deadly. I think that changed a few minds and at least a few of them have gotten vaccinated. I sincerely hope that this current spike has convinced some more of them to get the shots. I don't even bring up vaccines around them, they're too deep into their religious cults.

[Evolve Dammit]

101. Truly sorry. Lost two of my family and I will never understand the willful ignorance. Crazy.

[Steven Maurer]

102. Cry for the kid he used to be..

...and accept my sincere condolences for your loss.

[mercuryblues]

103. I'm sorry for your loss

It didn't have to be this way.

[calimary]

104. Did he ever express regret for not getting vaccinated, on the way down?

There have been a few.

Sorry for your loss, RicROC

[RicROC]

110. His high school education gave him the credentials of self-diagnosis...

....he told me he had food poisoning for 2 weeks. When I called the ambulance, that's the story I gave the EMTs. They immediately suspected COVID, because they've had a year to recognize it.



I keep telling people to read Tom Nichol's book, The Death of Expertise

[calimary]

126. Damn...

Sigh...

Dammit, RicROC, I'm so sorry.

[Shoeless Louis]

105. Sounds like he died doing what he loved. nt

[GoodRaisin]

106. I'm very sorry for your loss.

[Maru Kitteh]

107. Was he a different person before the cult got ahold of him?

I hope you have some distant, better memories to hold on to.

Your question prompted me to wonder if my own sister is dead. The milk on her cereal curdled almost a decade before Trump came down the escalator but she was ripe for the pickin' when he came along. I took a peek at her social media some time ago and saw she is an anti-masker. Called Gov. Wittmeier of Michigan a "socialist dictator," etc., etc.

It hurts that she hates me but as it turns out, she always did. Before my mom passed, she let me know that my sister had begged her not to have me, and then was pretty pissed off when she did. She was 12 when I was born. 3 years later she got pregnant and ran across the border to South Dakota to get married on her 16th birthday.

I'm sorry this has happened to you. It's a uniquely lonely feeling, I know.

[yardwork]

108. I'm very sorry for your loss.

[leighbythesea2]

111. So incredibly sorry

To hear this. How sad he was taken from you, essentially twice. My sincere condolences.

[MustLoveBeagles]

113. I'm very sorry to hear this

Based on your post it sounds like you weren't close during the later years of his life. Still this loss has got to hurt. Like another poster said he was taken from you twice. I hope you have fond memories of him from before the cult got him. If you do try to remember the good times. Sending you hugs.

[virgdem]

114. So very sorry for your loss. Peace to youl.

[highplainsdem]

115. I'm so sorry for your loss.

I have several close family members who refuse to get the vaccine, too -- they're completely brainwashed by misinformation -- and some of them have young children, and I feel as if I'm holding my breath all the time waiting to hear that one of them is very ill with COVID.

[joetheman]

116. No words.

[Heartstrings]

117. My sincere condolences......nt

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

118. I'm sorry for the loss of your brother.

I just lost a friend of 30 years to COVID. With the exception of d.,, he met all the characteristics of your brother.

I know it sounds heartless, but as much as I miss him, I'm finding it hard to grieve for my friend or any of the other unvaccinated people that are straining our hospitals and infecting their children, spouses and parents. As a country we were making good progress toward getting the pandemic under control, then these unvaccinated, selfish "I got mine, fuck you" morons demanded that everywhere be opened up. Thiis is giving the virus the opportunity to produce the Delta variant and spread rapidly. Now it looks like without a major push to get everyone vaccinated we're going to be stuck in the pandemic that T***** caused for as long as the war in Afghanistan that Dubya got us into.

[RicROC]

123. totally agree with you.

[krkaufman]

119. Billls?

d & e seem problematic...

d) lived in Georgia, died in a Florida hospital
e) refused to get health insurance

I have to assume that there are some hefty hospital bills for which his estate is now responsible.

Sorry for your loss, and all the collateral grief and anxiety from his passing.

[rainin]

122. I'm sorry your brother lost his way. Not having him in his right mind must have been hard.

I've lost 2 siblings who were right-wingers. I don't miss them. I'm admittedly thankful for the peace I have now, that I wouldn't have were they still living. But, it didn't have to be this way. They were gullible and people who wanted power took advantage of that.

[Niagara]

124. My condolences to you, RicRoc.

Unfortunately, this is why we refer to it as a cult and there doesn't seem to be any reason or logic when trying to converse with the indoctrinated. My deepest condolences to you.

[Ocelot II]

125. I'm very sorry - what a sad outcome.

When it comes down to it, it wasn't covid that killed him; it was the right-wing brainwashing. I truly think that if Trump told his cult members to go lie down on the freeway because traffic is a liberal hoax, a lot of them would do it. It's Jim Jones' Kool-Aid in slow motion and none of it has to happen.