[With] reference to the Letter to the Editor, “Don’t Scapegoat the Unvaccinated,” from the Sept. 2, issue [of Pique], I can appreciate where the writer is coming from with respect to his historical perspective.
Unfortunately we have to deal with today’s reality and a historical perspective is important to be heard.
But it seems to me the letter is yet another “me” focused rationalization of why “I” will not get a vaccination. Dr. Theresa Tam, [chief public health officer of Canada], put statistics in perspective the other day [reporting] firstly the unvaccinated are 12 times more likely to get COVID, and also, 36 times more likely to be hospitalized.
At 72 with five grandsons under 12, I really hope that we are all protected from getting COVID-19, and also, if we have to use what I consider our wonderful medical system in B.C., that the unvaccinated aren’t clogging up the system.
I suspect by Christmas we will see very strong rules/incentives for all employees and businesses to accept the premise that supporting the unvaccinated (unless of course there are medical or other very extenuating circumstances) is not in their best interest.
On a different note, I have never understood the stereotyping of Jewish professionals as highlighted by the letter writer’s reference to the Jewish-American doctor. When people in my presence have used this stereotype over many years, I have asked why they need to use this adjective, as nobody seems to refer to some professionals as Catholic accountants, for example.
I have never had an answer to the question and can only suggest that biased racism, either unknown or known, is at the foundation for this.
Jim Yeates // Whistler
