covid-19 anti-vaxxers

The current phase of the COVID-19 pandemic has made for a lot of uncomfortable social situations. It's forced people to have hard, potentially relationship-damaging conversations about vaccinations with their friends, family, and coworkers.

Although breakthrough infections are extremely rare, an unvaccinated person is much more likely to spread the virus than someone who is vaccinated.

That means that a lot of vaccinated people are distancing themselves from the unvaccinated to protect their health. There is also a moral component to the issue. Some people don't want to work or socialize with people who they believe haven't taken responsibility for themselves and others by getting vaccinated.

It's a real letdown to realize that someone close to you isn't interested in getting a shot to protect the health of those around them.

There are a lot of vaccinated people who are angry at the unvaccinated for continuing to spread the deadly virus. And rightfully so, the unvaccinated have created a situation where people continue to die from a virus that is largely preventable.

The difficulty and frustration of the present moment is felt by just about everyone, including A-list celebrities. Actor Jennifer Aniston recently told InStyle magazine that she's had to distance herself from people in her social and professional circles because they refused to get the jab.

"There's still a large group of people who are anti-vaxxers or just don't listen to the facts. It's a real shame. I've just lost a few people in my weekly routine who have refused or did not disclose [whether or not they had been vaccinated], and it was unfortunate," she explained.

Aniston believes people should take responsibility for themselves and others by being open about their vaccination status.

"I feel it's your moral and professional obligation to inform, since we're not all podded up and being tested every single day. It's tricky because everyone is entitled to their own opinion — but a lot of opinions don't feel based in anything except fear or propaganda," she added.

Aniston is rightfully concerned about the damage that unvaccinated people can cause to her personal life. COVID-19 could spread rapidly on a busy set, putting the health of many people in danger.

The threat of an outbreak is always in the air but she's comfortable knowing that the set of her Apple TV+ series "The Morning Show" has a great medical team on staff.

"I was able to walk into it pretty centered, knowing we had an incredible epidemiology team," she said.

Even though the past year and a half has been stressful for Aniston, she found some peace during the lockdown. Taking time off from her busy professional life allowed her to come to some important realizations.

"My level of anxiety has gone down by eliminating the unnecessary sort of fat in life that I had thought was necessary," she said. "Also realizing that you can't please everybody."