Saturday, August 28, 2021

Don’t Throw the Baby Out with the Bathwater

Strong feelings about government responses or employer mandates might be influencing those who may now refuse to consider vaccination. There’s a better approach

Newsletters Manitoba Local 306

By Heidi Martens, Representative

I returned from maternity leave in June. Our baby is wonderful, but recently she pooped in the tub. Twice. She didn’t get the memo I guess. Both times I pulled her out squirming in a matter of seconds. I chucked the water and bleached the tub.

Also recently, I watched many of my friends post vaccination selfies. An unprecedented year; a marvelous scientific response! This is my view. If you disagree, please keep reading!

Manitoba has followed the lead of some federal employers and mandated vaccinations or regular testing for government employees. Earlier this year, I also watched a few videos from someone who was quite critical of the Manitoban response and the lockdowns that we’ve endured and participated in. Was more harm done than good? Thoughtful questions were asked.

After some deliberation, I came to more of an appreciation of and sympathy for the perspective—at least the feelings of frustration behind them. We all have situations in our lives that the lockdowns affected negatively. I, for one, didn’t get the maternity leave I wanted. I’m not loving this. Who is?

I can understand that some people were really angry about the lockdowns or have questions and concerns about employers or governments mandating vaccines or testing. But don’t allow strong feelings about government or employer responses lead to—out of spite—a refusal to consider vaccination just to make a statement.

Comments under the videos I watched uncovered people refusing testing, refusing to participate in contact tracing, and making wild claims about the vaccines with 100 percent certainty. Take the pressure off yourself and do not do your own research on social media.

While I’ve found several professionals who run social media accounts, most doctors and other professionals do not spend their days on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. And even if they do, they are responsible for the health of others, not breaking down their many years of study into bite-sized pieces for the populace.

If you have questions about the vaccines, talk with your family doctor. Let the facts come from someone you trust and who has dedicated their career to medicine. You trust farmers to grow your food, contractors to build the addition on your house, and vets to keep your pet healthy.

If you are sick of lockdowns, restrictions, and government bumbling, that is your right. But vaccinations by their nature affect us all. Try to see them as a responsibility instead of an infringement on your rights. Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Don’t Throw the Baby Out with the Bathwater

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