A Viable Alternative?

Given the contentious nature of measures to force the anti-vaxxers into line, perhaps the following is a viable alternative?

H/t Graeme MacKay

How To Deal With Flagrant Stupidity

H/t Theo Moudakis

Unlike viruses that allegedly ultimately 'burn themselves out', stupidity and the flagrant disregard for public health and safety will always be with us. Toronto Star readers have some ideas on how to deal with them:

Time to raise the price for those who still won’t get vaxxed, Jan. 9

I was born January 1940 into a world at war. One of my earliest memories is of the blackout.

People did this for two reason: First, to protect themselves, and second, to protect the neighbourhood. It was not perfect protection; we all know of the thousands that were killed by bombs and it had its danger, such as tripping over things and the people who thought the darkness gave them the opportunity for crime. Even so, the benefits outweighed the danger.

I think the same should apply to vaccinations: you get vaccinated to protect yourself and the people in your neighbourhood. It is the only protection we have. The benefits outweigh the danger, and it should be the law with fines for those who refuse to follow the rules.

Keith Parkinson, Cambridge, Ont.

 In a democratic society, majority rules. So why is it our spineless politicians are letting the minority — the anti-vaxxers — rule?

It is time to have the vaccine passport mandated for entry to any type of business.

J. Armour, Mississaug

 And finally, a reader offers this about the hapless Erin O'Toole:

Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole said on TV recently something to the effect of: “We just have to realize not everyone will agree to vaccination.”

Isn’t that like saying we are never going to solve homelessness or drug addiction, so Canadians should just suck it up and learn to live with the reality?

What a great strategy — no more funding for those ongoing issues, so why waste money and resources on problems that seem futile?

Is this the Conservative leader’s plan for balancing the books if he ever became prime minister?

Dorothy Low, Richmond Hill

 

An Apt Follow-Up

This editorial cartoon by Michael De Adder seems an apt follow-up to yesterday's post:

A Failure Of Citizenship

That is the assessment in today's Toronto Star editorial of those who refuse to get vaccinated, thereby holding the rest of us (or, as I like to say, the sane majority) hostage. 

And it is time to start making them pay for their obdurate, anti-social stance.

It is their irresponsibility that is largely to blame for the restraints under which Canadians are currently required to live.

It is no surprise, then, and largely to be applauded, that exasperated jurisdictions from Quebec to countries in Europe have opted to raise the cost of demonstrably anti-social behaviour.

 In Quebec, the province’s health minister Christian Dubé announced this past week that, as of Jan. 18, Quebecers will have to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to access provincial liquor and cannabis stores.

“If they can’t protect themselves, we will protect them against themselves,” said Dubé. “And we will make sure that they understand very clearly that if they don’t want to be vaccinated, they just stay home.”

European jurisdictions are hardening their hearts against the vaccine-refusniks with some relish. For example, the French President wants to make their lives hell:

 Macron told the newspaper Le Parisien that he wants to “piss off” unvaccinated people by making their lives so complicated that they’ll relent and accept the vaccine. The unvaccinated, he said, are reneging on the obligations of citizenship.

Other European countries are getting tougher with the unvaxxed. Italy requires proof of vaccination – or of having recovered from COVID — for entry to a host of public spaces. Greece is levying a monthly fine (called a “health fee”) of 100 euros ($144) on people over 60 who won’t get their shots.

Unlike Erin O'Toole, who pleads for understanding and accommodation for those who thumb their noses at the health and safety of their fellow-citizens, most prefer the stick over the carrot at this critical juncture.

But right now the responsible majority are paying an enormous price for the stubbornness of the recalcitrant – and it is not the former who should be asked to make endless accommodations. 

The majority of people who “did the right thing” and got vaccinated are effectively being held hostage to the selfishness of the few. At this point it’s entirely reasonable to raise the price of irresponsibility, and make life more difficult for those who won’t get their shots.

Ontario and other provinces should follow Quebec’s example and turn the screws further on the unvaxxed. 

To that, I have nothing to add other than my whole-hearted agreement. 

 

 

The Unvarnished Truth

 

H/t Theo Moudakis

Truth be told, I don't feel much like writing these days. The news is unrelentingly grim, the pandemic soldiers on, and the stupid continue to run around extolling their 'gospel.' My sympathy/empathy for the unvaxxed is non-existent, and given the deaths they are and will be responsible for through cancelled heart and cancer surgeries because their kind are filling the hospitals, I have reached the point that if they do expire from the disease, I really don't care.

Just like I don't care about the planeload of covidiots that chartered a Sunwing plane to Mexico. You have probably already seen the video, but if not, have a look.

I am happy to report that Sunwing, Air Transat and Air Canada are refusing them transport home. 

Oh, and one more thing. Thirty of the miscreants have come down with Covid. 

My heart does not bleed for them

Extreme Revisionism

You may remember Capitol Hill rioter Jenna Ryan. The blonde, well-put-together Texas real estate agent  travelled on a private jet to join the January 6 festivities and wound up getting into a spot of trouble that netted her 60 days in lockup.

This unrepentant and self-justifying lady granted an interview with NBC's Kate Snow. The house-seller reveals, in my view, a prodigious lack of self-awareness as well as bottomless self-pity as she 'proudly' trumpets her victimhood.

Please start just after the 13-minute mark:

Third Time Is Not Always The Charm

 Somehow, this editorial cartoon speaks to me.

H/t Michael de Adder