Some Northern workers who remain vaccine hesitant say they are SA国际影视传媒渄eeply disturbedSA国际影视传媒� by government employers making them choose between taking the Covid-19 shot and keeping their jobs.
The GNWT announced on Oct. 18 that all of its employees must be fully vaccinated by Nov. 30., although some accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Yk1 Education District and Yellowknife Catholic School Board both passed similar resolutions within the past week to have a mandated vaccinated policy for their staff by Nov. 30.
Three people contacted SA国际影视传媒 this week SA国际影视传媒� each working for a different level of government SA国际影视传媒� asserting that the vaccine mandates are a step too far, legally and morally.
SA国际影视传媒 has agreed to protect their anonymity as they all expressed fear of retribution from their employers and, in some cases, further estrangement from their peers.
SA国际影视传媒淥verall, ISA国际影视传媒檓 deeply disturbed about the notion even popping up,SA国际影视传媒� said one individual, who has worked for Yellowknife Catholic Schools for several years. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 not anti-vaccine in any way, shape or form, but ISA国际影视传媒檓 just hesitant to have a new vaccine because I feel there isnSA国际影视传媒檛 a lot of information on it.SA国际影视传媒�
The person said that answers to their questions about the efficacy of the vaccine have been insufficient and it has made them reluctant to get the shot.
Other common concerns include the social divisiveness that the mandates create.
SA国际影视传媒淵ou might consider me a reluctant radical, but I feel like ISA国际影视传媒檓 still the normal person I was in 2019, prior to all of this,SA国际影视传媒� said the individual. SA国际影视传媒淏ut now I feel like ISA国际影视传媒檓 being ostracized.
SA国际影视传媒淚 feel like I have friends who are making comments who donSA国际影视传媒檛 know my vaccination status and ISA国际影视传媒檓 seeing really, really ugly sides of people, which makes me really hesitant to even have the conversation.
SA国际影视传媒淚 feel like my life is essentially in a bubble and I feel like that bubble is squeezing tighter and tighter and tighter with every single restriction that has been implemented.SA国际影视传媒�
Another person, who has experienced side effects from vaccines in the past, and who is therefore unvaccinated against Covid-19, also has a close relative who is a health-care worker employed by the territorial government.
They said the mandates presents a false choice to residents, especially as concerns are raised about the thoroughness of ModernaSA国际影视传媒檚 clinical trials and potential health risks they feel are inadequately explained, such as heart inflammation or blood clots.
The person pointed out that Iceland has halted use of the Moderna vaccine, while Sweden and Denmark have placed restrictions on it.
SA国际影视传媒淲hen youSA国际影视传媒檙e given a choice to choose to be treated as a second-class citizen, or given a choice to choose to be treated as a leper or comply, it isnSA国际影视传媒檛 much of a choice,SA国际影视传媒� the person said. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 incredibly frustrating that weSA国际影视传媒檙e going to be segregated because of our hesitancy on this vaccine SA国际影视传媒� and whose recommendations are changing based on geographical location.SA国际影视传媒�
A federal public service employee whoSA国际影视传媒檚 unvaccinated stated that they are facing unpaid administrative leave as of Nov. 15 due to the Government of CanadaSA国际影视传媒檚 mandate on the federal workforce.
SA国际影视传媒淚 am currently in the process of requesting an exemption from the policy on the basis of prohibited grounds of discrimination pursuant to Section 15 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Section 3 of the Canadian Human Rights Act,SA国际影视传媒� the person said. SA国际影视传媒淐onstitutional/human rights exemptions to these mandates is an issue that I feel is not being covered enough, as these issues are very much at play with respect to these mandates.SA国际影视传媒�
The person added that the vaccination mandate is a source of stress.
SA国际影视传媒淚 suspect ISA国际影视传媒檒l either be required to do regular testing or I wonSA国际影视传媒檛 be doing some of the things that I might normally do in my job as it comes to travel or maybe even working in the office,SA国际影视传媒� the person said. SA国际影视传媒淏ut we havenSA国际影视传媒檛 had those conversations yet because they havenSA国际影视传媒檛 accepted my exemption yet.
SA国际影视传媒淚 am facing leave with no pay, which is not not a fun idea. ISA国际影视传媒檝e got kids and a family, and my job is the bulk of our means, so itSA国际影视传媒檚 very stressful.SA国际影视传媒�
The GNWT held a news conference on Oct. 20 that provided updates on new gathering restrictions imposed in Hay River and K谩t艂SA国际影视传媒檕deeche First Nation and the easing of other restrictions in the North Slave.
Premier Caroline Cochrane was asked what she would say to people who feel that they are being told to choose between getting a vaccine they donSA国际影视传媒檛 want in their bodies and maintaining their source of livelihood.
She admitted the situation is difficult for some people but added that her government is trying to prioritize the overall safety of residents across the territory.
A major factor in the decision to upgrade the GNWT-wide vaccine policy to all employees had to do with fear from small communities of the virus being spread by people travelling.
SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 legitimate fear like you said about vaccinations, but there is also a fear of people coming in from outside, carrying Covid-19,SA国际影视传媒� the premier said. SA国际影视传媒淪o they (small communities) asked us to implement (the mandate) more widespread. WeSA国际影视传媒檝e done that.
SA国际影视传媒淚t is a choice that people have to make.SA国际影视传媒�
Cochrane added that the GNWT is also allowing regular testing options for people who have legitimate medical reasons not to get vaccinated.
She added that people hesitant to get the vaccine will also face further choices when it comes to travelling by aircraft.
SA国际影视传媒淎nyone who wants to travel on any airlines will soon have to be double vaccinated as well,SA国际影视传媒� she pointed out. SA国际影视传媒淚 know itSA国际影视传媒檚 tough on people, but itSA国际影视传媒檚 not only about yourselves. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 not only about choices, but itSA国际影视传媒檚 also about people who have no choice that you have to think about.SA国际影视传媒�
