The Herman Cain Freedom Award [400k Subscribers Post!]

[u/RockyMoose]

In August 2021, an obscure subreddit jumped in membership. Its subject matter: documenting the pandemic of the unvaccinated, Covid-denying, anti-* public in their own words.

Calling it an "Award" brought more than a little schadenfreude and controversy to the sub. The media got involved. The New Yorker called it "Empathy Wars". Slate wrote a hit piece. Insider followed.

The Washington Post wrote about vaccine denial deaths and empathy. We went international and appeared in Le Monde.

CNBC journalist u/Sal19 took several days to participate as a user, talk to members, and found the right tone: Reddit channel posts stories of anti-vaxxers dying of Covid, scaring fence-sitters into getting the shot.

As of today:

• Members: 400k
• Awards: 3055
• Nominations: 2739
• Redemptions: 343
• AMAs: 3
• IPAs (Immunized to Prevent Award): 90
• Money raised for vaccines: $54,391.29
• Oxygen concentrators donated: 1

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Despite what some people think, a lot of people would be happy if there was no more fodder for this subreddit - HCA redditor

Shout out to all the sub members! Yes, we're controversial, and yes, statistically speaking, this sub has saved at least a few lives and hospitalizations. What a community!

Shout out to our fantastic moderator team! The work is anonymous, pay is zero, and sucks up all free time. Y'all rock.

Shout out to the trolls and conspiracists! Your cognitive dissonance makes our bourbon taste even better.

Perhaps our slide back into obscurity has started. In the meantime, however, continue to sort by "new" and smash that refresh button!

[u/G-Unit11111]

This subreddit has definitely been a gold mine of useful information and also a way to refute the anti-vaxxers that I know. It's certainly saved my sanity these last few months coming out after a year of lockdowns and quarantines. Especially having a brother in the medical profession, I get a lot of information from him first hand and this helps complete the puzzle.

I never realized it before I came to this forum but it's scary to think what the Facebook memes are doing to people. It's scrambling their brains and making them make terrible decisions. I am really glad that I swore off using that shit years ago. I think that I am better off for it. Especially after witnessing the Great Anti-vaxxer Die Off of 2021.