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Vol. 16, No. 45, Wednesday, October 6, 2021 www.LamontLeader.com
Some workers scared to speak out against vaccine mandates CAO says: “This is a pandemic and it’s serious,”... the decision to mandate vaccines for employees was not made lightly, “... we are serving the vulnerable people...” BY JANA SEMENIUK Some Lamont County Health workers are scared to speak out against vaccine mandates which have been instituted across the province for employees in hospitals and nursing homes to mitigate the spread of COVID 19. While most workers have already been vaccinated over the past year, the ones who choose not to be vaccinated are worried about keeping their jobs. “I know people are scared to speak out,” said one worker who asked to remain anonymous. “One of my coworkers disagrees completely with the forced vaccinations but is too scared to speak out because she doesn’t want to be ostracized by the other workers or her family and friends, and doesn’t want to lose her job. I feel the same way.” Although the employee did not want the vaccine, she agreed to get the jab to avoid losing her job. “I didn’t want the vaccine because I didn’t think there was enough study. It makes me very nervous,” she said. “I’ve only had my first shot, but I reacted to it.” The worker said she experienced a reaction that lasted a few days. According to her mandate at work, she has only a few weeks to get the second shot. “It took me a few days to recover from the reaction and I am tremendously nervous about getting that second shot,” she said. Another worker, who also asked to remain anonymous, said she was horrified once she learned she would be mandated to receive the vaccine or risk her income. “I’m not an anti-vaxxer but I believe
in freedom of choice. I don’t want to people that were double vaccinated lose my job, but I don’t know what I’m and still got COVID. I just don’t think going to do,” she said. “Childhood vac- anyone should be forced to take it.” Although Kufeldt said he doesn’t cines have been tested and used for decades and we know the long-term want this vaccine, if he were forced, he may not have a effects. I am not choice. comfortable with Some residents “I have a vaccine that have already nowhere to go. was created so opted out (of the My kids live in quickly with vaccine) and I Toronto and my very little 85-year-old research and will not force brother lives in testing.” the people Calgary,” he The woman already there to said. “There are was notified that about six or she has a few be vaccinated. eight of us resiweeks to become - CAO Shahad Bharmal dents who are fully vaccinated, not vaccinated or risk being put here. I would be on leave of under duress if absence without they threatened pay. to kick me out, Meanwhile, a then I would resident of the have to take it.” Beaverhill Lodge L a m o n t in Lamont is also County Housing feeling worried Foundation that he may face Chief Admina vaccine manistrative Officer date. Ron Kufeldt, 83, has lived in the Shahad Bharmal said Kufeldt has nothing to worry about. Beaverhill Lodge since 2015. “Presently our Lodge residents are “I believe I am the longest resident here at the lodge,” he said. “I was born 90 per cent vaccinated. This is their in 1938, lived through several epi- home. Some residents have already opted out (of the vaccine) and I will not demics and I’ve never had a vaccine.” While Kufeldt has never personally force the people already there to be taken a vaccine, he said he is not vaccinated,” he said. “I would prefer new residents coming in to be vaccinatopposed to them. “I’m not anti-vaccine. If it works ed.” Additionally, Bharmal said the decithen it works. Like for smallpox. I’m not against it if people want it but I sion to mandate vaccines for employwouldn’t take it unless I knew it would ees was not made lightly. “This is a pandemic and it’s serious. do the trick,” he said. “I know a few
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This was not a decision we took lightly,” he said. “The Foundation is going to be mandating vaccinations and the staff will be required to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 30, 2021. It gives them a good 2 months.” Bharmal explained the reasoning behind the mandates. “The main reason is we are serving the vulnerable people and we want the staff to be vaccinated. It’s an infection control issue and occupational health and safety issue. The Foundation staff include managers, maintenance staff, general service workers, housekeeping and cooks,” he said. Bharmal spoke about the staff who might not agree with the mandates. “It’s possible that staff might want to remain unvaccinated and take the risk. We are not going to fire anyone, but they will be put on a leave of absence until they decide,” he said. “There are religious and medical exemptions for them also. No one has come forward yet, but I don’t think there will be a lot of them.” In terms of what the future of living with COVID 19 will look like, Bharmal shared his thoughts. “It’s inevitable that people will ask you for vaccine status. Covid is never going away,” he said. “In the near future everyone will be required to provide that vaccination status no matter where they go. We will have to manage life with COVID from this point forward. I think it will be a job requirement in the future.” Collectively, Father Filas Manor in Mundare and Beaverhill Pioneer Lodge accommodate 71 residents and employ 40 staff members.