ROTHENBURGER – A few questions for those who were protesting this week
(Image: Screenshot, CFJC TV)
I HAVE QUESTIONS for the anti-vaxxers, reluctant vaxxers and the misinformed who took to the streets this week to exercise their democratic right to protest.
The first one is, what were you thinking?
Did you think protesting in front of hospitals was actually a good idea? Do you think the nurses, doctors and support staff who have worked so hard for a year and a half to keep us alive deserved that?
Do you think obstructing hospital traffic, verbally abusing healthcare workers and reducing nursing staff to tears — as was reported in at least one hospital — was responsible and kind?
Will those of you who now claim the protests were actually in support of healthcare workers explain how, in any way, they demonstrated that? Were you there to bang pots and pans in a show of solidarity with them, or did hospitals just seem like a good place for a protest? How was staging protests against vaccinations a show of support?
Do you see the irony in what you did?
Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and a retired newspaper editor. He is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
Your questions are clearly the best place to start, Mel.
Hypermore (thanks Sean) these inane protestors do not “get” IRONY.
In fact they are not prudently thoughtful, well read, forward looking, tolerant, reasonable, logical, understanding of the distinction between anecdotes and data, or rigid science or any of the other benefits of CRITICAL THINKING that the rest of us enjoy.
They got “stoned and missed’ all these inestimable values the rest of us will keep on living by.
Hopefully, for their sake and ours, they will open up their offices and not end up dying and declaring, “Damn, I wish I had listened and taken that jab.”
For too long the anti-vaxxers have had a free ride. Now that there are consequences they are upset. Very pleased the province (along with Quebec and Ontario) is going to issue COVID passports. Only those who have their shots will be allowed to attend non-essential events or facilities such as bars. For the anti-vaxxers there will now be a consequence and they don’t like it. One more roadblock is being removed from hopefully bring this madness to a nend.
Thanks for this Mel. Great article
Could not have said it better Mel!
I think if a person chooses not to get vaccinated then they choose to gamble with getting COVID-19….So maybe when these people get Covid they should just stay home and not take up a hospital bed that someone who has done the right thing needs.
Very selfish group of people!
And because all the reasons you have listed Mel, another “blue” politician will be elected as an MP for Kamloops area. Because there is no disconnect with the hyperbole from the right and all the madness we are presently witnessing. Just got back from a local dealership looking for parts and the entire staff there thinks the pandemic, the wicked world-wide influenza called Covid-19, is all Trudeau’s makings. Hypermore (not furthermore but hypermore) the emergency rooms plight is all because the nurses are tired of all the dictated protocols they must follow. Plus some more but no point in making this comment too long…
Great column. This whole anti-vaccine movement is so moronic it’s making Trump look sensible. As much as we might just scoff at these protesters, the self-righteous indulgences of the anti-vaccine crowd is having life and death consequences for people and for society as a whole. It’s no joke.
We are those who questioned; coerced vaccines, and ill-conceived restrictions, and turned our minds to people other than main stream media, like doctors and nurses and Janes who have risked their livelihoods to stand up to the jab, (it was called a ‘vaccine’ because we had them when we were children and was associated with a cuddly childhood memory) that has lately shown it’s true colours in Israel;
“We are seeing about 50% of the people who are infected right now are vaccinated, fully vaccinated individuals,” Israeli health chief Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis says. “Previously, we thought that vaccinated, fully vaccinated individuals were protected.” 210801.
Until 2 weeks past the 2nd jab one is counted as ‘unvaccinated’ creating the incorrect numbers we constantly hear.
CDC 5,Aug.21 “However, preliminary evidence suggests that fully vaccinated people who are infected with the Delta variant can be infectious and can spread the virus to others.”
This video was sent to me yesterday and shows nurses with signs and one says honk. That’s why we were there, for them, not against them like the mainstream media spiel. Sad.
I had said to others at the event “Do you remember when Hospital zones were quiet areas?”