These businesses, organizations and school divisions are following the protocols that were put in place by the Saskatchewan Health Authority, and since it is a provincial-wide mandate, local town and city councils, and school boards have to be the ones to enforce COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination policies.
I have heard from a couple of individuals who have chosen not to be vaccinated that they feel villainized right now, and that they also feel coerced to obtain their COVID-19 vaccination since there are so many obstacles they must face.
As much of a burden this is to carry, it is important for everyone in our communities to not place the blame of COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination policies on the local individuals at our town and city councils, or at our local school boards. Hearing someone say that these individuals, and everyone at the school board or council should be fired -- when they are following the policy of the province -- is not respectful to the difficult decision they had to make.
Everyone wants to feel that they still have a choice, and not to feel harassed or bullied for their choice either. This goes both ways. For those unvaccinated individuals who feel they are being villainized... it is not fair or respectful for anyone to turn around and villainize the businesses or organizations who have to implement COVID-19 Proof of Vaccinations at this time.
I know there is frustration in the community and across the province right now, as no one wanted to be in the situation where individuals are required to show Proof of Vaccination (or a negative COVID-19 test) to eat at a restaurant, or attend a community event, or to even to stay employed.
Right now it feels that there are hard lines between unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals, and it has become one of those ‘must avoid’ conversation topics as individuals want to feel that their choice is the right one. Debate can be healthy, as long as both sides are willing to listen, and be open-minded.
I encourage everyone to take a moment and try to understand the hardships that the other individual might be facing. There might be medical reasons for that individual to be unvaccinated, and they might feel very alone and without any supports.
For those employees at restaurants or other businesses that require a proof of vaccination, it is not respectful for anyone to harass or bully them for doing their job, as mandated by their employer, nor is it fair for the employer to be bullied or harassed, when they are following direction from the province.
The important thing to remember is that there might be hardships faced by any individual during this difficult time, and it is so important to respect the choices of individuals, vaccinated or not.
