The Offspring’s drummer Pete Parada has been removed from the group’s upcoming tour after not getting the coronavirus vaccine.
The 48-year-old musician posted a large statement on Twitter to explain his absence from the pop-punk band’s upcoming tour, explaining that he was advised against being vaccinated by doctors.
Parada revealed in the statement that he had Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a condition that affects the nerves and can cause numbness, pain and muscle weakness.
While the condition is treatable, it can often reoccur, and Parada said he was forced to make a choice over whether or not the vaccine could aggravate the condition.
In the 17-tweet long message, Parada explained: “I caught [coronavirus] 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,” he added.
Parada said he decided to speak out so “anyone else experiencing the agony and isolation of getting left behind right now – knows they’re not entirely alone.”
He added that he “still has love” for his bandmates, and while he is upset that he’s not going to be able to perform with the group, “They’re doing what they believe is best for them, while I am doing the same.”
However, he added that while his decision was based on his medical history, he added that people should be free to choose whether to get the vaccine “without coercion”.
“I do not find it ethical or wise to allow those with the most power (government, corporations, organisations, employers) to dictate medical procedures to those with the least power,” he wrote.
“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, dehumanise and shout down at each other.
“The hesitant population is not a monolithic group. All voices deserve to be heard.” (Yahoo!News)
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