Dear Editor:
For the last year and a half, we have been celebrating those working in health care and thanking them for continuing to work through the stresses and dangers of COVID-19.
We have signs everywhere acknowledging all they have done; our politicians have publicly thanked them. For the past year and a half we have been told to listen to the health professionals in regards to the dangers of COVID and, subsequently, what we need to do to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.
Health workers are then required to receive their COVID vaccine; a number of these individuals, for whatever reason, opt against receiving it. And suddenly, these health care professions, these men and women whom we have thanked, appreciated and applauded, are out of a job. Suddenly, their views are no longer respected. Their thanks for continuing to work despite the added stresses of COVID protocols is to lose their jobs.
And this isn’t just limited to health care professionals. Men and women everywhere are losing their jobs because they have chosen, again, for whatever reason, not to receive the vaccine.
Nobody would be okay with an individual being fired because they have a contagious STI or some other contagious disease. And rightly so. Yet, when it comes to COVID, many individuals who aren’t getting the vaccine are losing their jobs. Why?
Is this really about health? Or is this about conformity?
Kristin Swaving,
Fergus
Editor’s note: Vaccine mandates are put in place to help stop the spread of the disease and to protect others, notably vulnerable populations in health care settings. COVID-19 vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective. Anyone with concerns about vaccines of any kind should consult their physician.