Pete Parada , drummer for The Offspring since 2007, was recently fired. According to the musician himself, his decision not to get vaccinated against COVID-19 was the reason behind the band's decision.
In a series of tweets, the musician explained that he received medical advice not to get vaccinated because he has suffered from Guillain-Barré Syndrome since childhood, a rare and still incurable disease in which the immune system attacks the nerves, causing pain, weakness, and even paralysis.
“I caught the virus over a year ago, it was mild for me. So I’m confident I’d be able to handle it again, but I’m not so sure if I’d survive another round of the syndrome after vaccination,” Parada posted on social media. “Unfortunately, the risks outweigh the benefits for me.”
Given the impossibility of having the member vaccinated, the band does not consider it safe to continue with the drummer. “I also want to share my story with anyone who is going through the agony and isolation of being left behind right now, know that you are not entirely alone,” he continued. “I have no negative feelings towards my band. They are doing what they believe is best for them, while I do the same.”
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Parada also defended informed consent in the case of vaccination, that is, the patients' decision "free from coercion," with the possibility of weighing the pros and cons. "I don't think it's ethical or wise to allow those with more power (government, corporations, organizations, employers) to dictate medical procedures to those with less power," he continued.
In the musician's view, the reasons for vaccine rejection by the population depend on the context, and can range "from a conscious risk-benefit analysis, to the financial inability to take time off work or lack of healthcare in case of potential side effects, [or even] an understandable distrust in a system that has never prioritized the health or well-being of its communities."
While there have been no official announcements from The Offspring , the dismissal likely occurred in early August, as Parada was still featured in promotional photos for upcoming events published by the group until July 30th. The musician also participated in the album Let The Bad Times Roll , released in April 2021, marking the band's return after nearly a decade without new albums.
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