To the editor,
Re: Refusing vaccine is just another health choice, Letters, Oct. 13.
Vitriol and hate-filled rhetoric regarding anyone’s choices is never acceptable, however if you use science to make a point, you can’t cherry pick the facts to suit your argument if your opinion is to be taken seriously.
Choosing not to get vaccinated is not the same as addiction (smoking and alcohol use) or obesity, which science has proven time and again, are not based simply on choice. As well, any related health issues do not overwhelm our hospitals and health-care systems or require infection protocols. It is like comparing apples and oranges.
It seems to me that “punitive mind conditioning” referred to in the letter relates more to to the anti-vaxxers and anti-maskers than to the ‘authorities.’ Too many of them continue to physically and verbally assault health-care workers, patients, teachers, students and generally the vaccinated public. A vocal minority in Canada seem to have taken a page from south of the border, where common civility and respect for others’ points have view have been exchanged for vitriol and physical aggression when they feel it is justified.
There are multimillions of doses of vaccine that have been administered globally that have had no adverse effects. The science confirming the benefit in saving lives, lessening transmission and reducing the severity of symptoms cannot be dismissed, except by those who choose not to accept facts.
It is inordinately unfair to put doctors and hospital staff in the position of having to triage patients, or for other patients not be able to access the proper care because of anti-vaxxers and anti-maskers.
The right to protest and make choices have consequences and are unacceptable when you cause harm to others in the community, no matter what you believe.
Anne Parizot, Gabriola Island
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To the editor,
Re: Refusing vaccine is just another health choice, Letters, Oct. 13.
Luckily for us all we have the benefit of the Canadian medical health system. We all have the ability to make our choices in this democracy, however just a reminder that obesity, alcoholism, and a sedentary lifestyle are not infectious diseases that can spread in the community as COVID-19 is able to do. Vaccinated or not, no one has the right to spread disease to others.
Andy Kolodinsky, Nanaimo
READ ALSO: B.C. premier supports health-care workers after protests against vaccine cards
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