As the debate about COVID vaccinations intensifies, US rockers The Offspring are looking for a new drummer after their long-time stickman Peter Parada announced the band had moved on from him after his refusal to get the COVID vaccine.
Posting to Instagram, the former member of Face To Face and Saves The Day who has also drummed for Devo and Alkaline Trio, Parada says the decision stems from his life-long diagnosis of autoimmune disorder Guillain-Barré Syndrome (where the immune system attacks healthy nerve cells in the peripheral nervous system, which can eventually result in paralysis)."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," Peter said in the post.
"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 hooping to keep me around a bit longer) the risks far outweigh the benefits."
Although he is no longer a member of The Offspring (he was the band's second longest tenured drummer having being a member since 2007), Parada shares no ill will towards his former band members.
"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!
"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, organisations, employers) to dictate medical procedures to those with the least power.
"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."
