With the recent 20th anniversary of the twin towers tragedy of September 11, 2001, a great deal of attention has focused on the lives that were lost that day. The horrendous, despicable way in which they were lost helps to explain why this event was so traumatizing and why it continues to haunt us. Yet this many American lives are lost to COVID every 36 hours! Far more Americans (50% more, and counting) have died from COVID than died during World War Two.
In light of these appalling statistics, how do we explain why Republican (mostly) politicians continue to downplay the significance of the pandemic and oppose measures such as vaccines and masks which are essential if the virus and its various mutations are to be brought under control? What are we to make of the vociferous and violent “anti-vaccers” who not only refuse to get the vaccine themselves but also condemn, harass, threaten, and even attack those who are promoting vaccines and working to save lives?
Anti-Vaccers Want Freedom of Choice, but only for them
Such contemptible behaviour is not confined to the U.S. There have been frequent reports in Canada about protesters blocking entrances to hospitals and swearing at health care workers who are trying to enter or exit the facilities. The September 11 Globe and Mail included an article by Camille Bains about an emergency room nurse in Kamloops B.C. who was emotionally drained after caring for an unvaccinated mother with COVID who was deteriorating rapidly, kept asking what would become of her two young children, and expressing regret that she had not obtained a vaccination. After working an extended shift, she went to a grocery store for a carton of milk, only to be verbally attacked by someone at the store. She broke down, cried, left the milk, and made her way home. Just one more example of why health care workers are burnt out and leaving the profession.
The frequent attacks on those in health care and the protest groups blocking hospitals are unacceptable and should no longer be tolerated. It is time politicians stopped dancing around the issue of personal freedoms, condemned this behaviour, and took legal action against it. Just as freedom of speech does not allow one falsely to shout “fire” in a crowded theatre, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms provision for “peaceful demonstrations” does not sanction protesters who endanger others and disrupt such vital operations as hospitals. I can’t understand why some people have become so irrational and dangerous in their behaviour, but it is long past time that we stopped tolerating such activity.