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McCook Gazette
Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor:

Friday, November 26, 2021

I am writing in response to the announcement by Community Hospital to join in a lawsuit related to the COVID vaccine mandate.

First, I disagree with the statement by Mr. Bruntz that “this is not about the vaccine...” Of course, it’s about the vaccine and it’s about the attitude that employers do not have the right to tell employees what to do in the workplace. As a stakeholder, that is, an occasional patient at Commmunity Hospital, I would like to belive the caregivers are not exposing me to COVID or other dangerous diseases simply because of their “right” not to be vaccinated.

Perhaps it would be wise to spend the money used to join the lawsuit instead to offer signing bonuses. I acknowledge that “anti-vaxxers” are prevalent in this area, but those of us who are not believe we also have rights not to be exposed to COVID, especially in a healthcare setting. In my mind, the vaccine mandate is no different from other Community Hospital policies, i.e. no smoking, no firearms, or wearing socks to work.

Finally, certain policies/expectations come with any workplace, whether it’s keeping clients safe in a healthcare facility or not being allowed to push religious or political agendas while working in a local government setting.

This seems like a really bad decision to me, and I hope that other healthcare facilities in the area do not follow the lead of Community Hospital.

Respectifully,

Duffy Keller

McCook,

Nebraska

Comments
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  • Well stated, being vaccinated is a responsibility in a civilized society. What too many people fail to accept these days is that for every right comes responsibilities.

    -- Posted by ontheleftcoast on Fri, Nov 26, 2021, at 1:56 PM

  • I believe the choice here, and across the nation, is we either abide by the mandate, lose up to 30% of our employees, cut essential services and watch more people die from the lack of these services OR we encourage our employees to get the vaccine and if they elect not to we require constant mask wearing and frequent COVID testing. I would bet it’s similar to the flu shot option.

    This makes it less about the vaccine and more about losing essential services at the hospital.

    It’s not a local issue that’s only applied to our local hospital, it’s a national issue and if you think firing nurses who refuse the vaccine is going to make the situation better, you’re wrong.

    I believe in getting the vaccine but I don’t think it’s something the government should or has the right to do.

    -- Posted by 82er on Mon, Nov 29, 2021, at 10:44 PM

  • Not to stir up an already overworked debate, but if the vaccine works and everyone should get it then why are those that have received it concerned?

    It works or it doesn't.

         If the effort that's being targeted is keep Hospital beds open.... firing not just key personal but anyone that opts to work should do the trick. A hospital can't remain open without qualified employees, some of which have been around long enough to know not only how the system works but why it works, you can't replace experience and a mass exodus of employees will close the doors, ergo empty beds.

    We're not in a black and white world... employers would love to take the easy street and replace high earners for new lower paid employees, it would certainly increase profit. Why don't they then? OH you can't replace experience.

        I've heard a lot of "Wear masks, take the shot, actually both shots, now wear 3 masks, remember your booster, keep wearing masks, a second booster may be in order..." 

         Why did the polio vaccine work? It wasn't fast tracked, and I'm appreciative for the covid vaccine, I'm sure it helped a lot of people, but it's suggested that it leads to strokes, sterility among other issues.  Please don't debate that with "there's no substantial evidence of that" because if we need ongoing booster shots for the covid shot.... it would appear that there is ongoing uncertainty with its effectiveness too.

         You can't close America because once it's out of business, it doesn't reopen folks. Letting the cure be worse than the disease is a mistake, and no, you can't half staff a hospital, the push for the vaccine to begin with. "One often meets his destiny while traveling the path to avoid it"

    -- Posted by Nick Mercy on Tue, Nov 30, 2021, at 1:32 PM

  • whats the big deal anyways get the shot and be done with it i didnt get one but im not around no one else but if i was i would get one

    it will shut people up and maybe save yore life it just makes cents

    -- Posted by BTWinecleff on Tue, Nov 30, 2021, at 3:09 PM
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