----Original Message-----
From: Wally Dove <wdove@halhinet.on.ca>
Date: Monday, December 18, 2000 12:07 PM
Subject: Flu Shot Order Bugs Paramedics
Hello folks,
I certainly do appreciate the contribution of Mr. Singh. Please read his comments and pass
on to those you care for.
We are under attack (literally) by our own government (as if we did not already know
that!) and we all need to be informed.
Best of the Season,
Wally Dove
-----Original Message-----
From: Pritam: Singh <psingh80@hotmail.com>
To: wdove@halhinet.on.ca
Date: Friday, December 15, 2000 10:16 PM
Subject: Flu Shot Order Bugs Paramedics
Hi Wally,
In 1998 (or was that 1999?), the Ontario Medical Association wanted the doctors to have
all their vaccinations, now they're targetting the paramedics. They are also priming the
general public with their slick TV ads about "Flu & You" - have you listened
to the wording? I don't have the exact words, but the message being put across is
"get PROTECTED so that you don't
end up giving the flu to other people". At http://www.theweathernetwork.com/features/flu/--
they have a link to a daily
monitoring of flu cases across Canada - this is being shown upon the Weather Network
channel on TV. Don't you think the footnote at the bottom of that page *Data
provided by Surveillance Data Inc (SDI) " is pretty ominous?
Also read between the lines the following paragraph: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpb/lcdc/publicat/info/infflu_e.html
"What can we do to prevent a pandemic from occurring? With our current scientific
knowledge, there is no way to prevent a
pandemic from occurring. But there are ways to lessen the impact that a pandemic would
have, specifically to decrease the number of deaths, and control its impact on health
care.
A global network of laboratories and surveillance systems coordinated by the WHO is
keeping a watchful eye for new influenza strains. When the pandemic strain emerges,
international surveillance will provide Canada with an early warning, in order for us to
start vaccine production as quickly as possible. Immunization will be the only way to
minimize the impact of the pandemic on Canadians."
"How dare they say that they couldn't prevent a pandemic from occurring with our
current scientific knowledge"? Who are they to proclaim that the only good
knowledge is "scientific knowledge"? They are speaking from the perspective of a
monopoly -- and WHO, is the central figure implementing the designs of the controllers!
The last line is a dead giveaway. BE CAREFUL when anybody says things like "...the
only way to..." to do anything. IT IS THE ONLY WAY BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY SAY
TO REINFORCE THEIR MONOPOLY AND WILL OF THE CONTROLLERS.
They are beginning to put FEAR into people's minds. In the not too distant future, I can
imagine people snitching on each other. Consider a common work scenario which will force a
person who has not taken the flu shot, to get fired by his/her employer for the simple
crime of being accused of having spread the flu! The approach is a very subtle one.
Over the years, a
number of media articles have 'predicted' outbreaks like the meningitis outbreak in
Kitchener-Waterloo. My sister lives in Cambridge and boy did I have a hard time getting
her to understand that she need not fear the propaganda. I think over 100,000 people got
vaccinated for meningitis in that area. What they are not telling (even in the Sun Story
of today) is that anyone can call the Health Department and ask for an Exemption Form. I
filled out one of those for both of my children and that has put an end to vaccination for
our family. If you require more details, please let me know. Share this with your e-mail
list.
Blessed be,
Pritam:Singh (Peter)
December 15, 2000
Flu Shot Order Bugs Paramedics
Almost half of Ambulance Services staff face suspensions if they fail to comply by Dec. 20
By SUE-ANN LEVY -- Toronto Sun
Nearly half of the city's 754 paramedics could be off the job over the busy Christmas
period if they don't get a flu shot by next Wednesday.
According to internal Toronto Emergency Medical Services memos obtained by the Sun,
paramedics have been told they must provide proof they've been given a flu shot - or a
note from their doctor saying they're medically "contraindicated" (e.g.,
allergic to the shot) - by Dec. 20.
"Failure to provide such documentation may result in non-disciplinary suspension of
employment," says a Nov. 7 memo to Toronto paramedics.
But only about 400 paramedics have been inoculated - or have coughed up a doctor's note -
to date, Ron Kelusky, general manager of Toronto Ambulance confirmed yesterday.
Several paramedics I spoke to over the past few days are up in arms over being forced to
take the shot and are prepared to be disciplined to make their point.
Ray Ellis, a 47-year-old Level 1 paramedic, says he's against the shot because he doesn't
feel it protects him against the flu or from being a carrier. Besides, he says, why should
he take an injection about which there are many questions?
"It's got mercury as a preservative. It's got aluminum in it," he said.
"I've already notified my supervisor I will take a one-day suspension," he
added, despite a doctor's appointment on Dec. 19 when he'll probably get a note.
Another North York-area Level 1 paramedic, who asked not to be named, said he's already
got his doctor's note.
"They're violating our rights to choose ... we shouldn't be forced to have something
injected into our bodies."
"I'm not going to get it done ... it should be a personal choice," says Roberta
Scott, a Level 3 paramedic, who's fully prepared to be sent home without pay Wednesday
night when she reports to work. "There's a group of us who are going to stand
firm."
The Ministry of Health handed down the mandatory flu shot edict to all Ontario paramedics
back in May, says Kelusky. (Under the Ambulance Act, paramedics must be immunized against
a whole slew of diseases.)
TO PREVENT TRANSMISSION
"It's to prevent the transmission of disease to vulnerable populations because they
are moving around ... this flu does kill old people," Kelusky offers as the reason
for the edict.
"I'm kind of the ham in the sandwich here," he said. "I understand their
concerns about being forced to do it."
Asked whether those who refuse the shot will be suspended, he responded: "There is an
issue of compliance ... I am obligated to comply with the Ambulance Act."
CUPE Local 416 president Brian Cochrane said, following a meeting with their lawyer
yesterday, the union is filing a grievance with the city today and is contemplating a
challenge under the Charter of Rights.
Cochrane says it would be "pretty stupid" of the city to force paramedics off
the job at this busy time of year, should they not comply with the flu shot order.
What's upset paramedics most about the edict is that they seem to have been singled out.
No other health care provider I contacted this week makes mandatory flu shots a condition
of employment.
NURSES CAN REFUSE
Melanie Pottins of the Ontario Nurses' Association says they worked a compromise into
their collective agreements. It says hospital nurses have the right to refuse a flu shot,
but may be placed on an unpaid leave of absence during an outbreak.
Sandra Pitters, general manager of the city's Homes for the Aged division, says the 2,800
employees in their 10 homes are "strongly encouraged," but not forced, to get a
flu shot. But she says they've been clear that if here is an outbreak, those who don't
have shots will be sent home, possibly without pay.
At Mt. Sinai Hospital, flu shots are not mandatory but recommended and some 70% of staff
have been inoculated so far, says spokesperson David Davenport.
"Where it doesn't make sense is when I hand off my patient to the triage nurse at the
hospital and she hasn't had her flu shot," says Ellis.
Asked why paramedics have been singled out, ministry of health spokesperson David Jensen
said it's because there are so few paramedics - only 5,000 - in the province.
"It's a lot easier to find backup for doctors and nurses in hospitals should they get
the flu ... not so with paramedics."
Meanwhile, Kelusky isn't worried - just yet. He suspects there will be a rash of
shot-takers just before the deadline.
"I'm going to do everything to show I'm complying with the Act, but I'm not about to
shut the service down," he said.