It was another day, another anti-vaccine mandate protest in front of the BC Legislature on Thursday.
These days, the demonstrators are a fixture along Belleville Street, with some protesting despite their backgrounds in health care.
“I don’t think people should be yelling at each other to start with. I mean, I don’t think they should be calling me a moron because I’m trying to express my disappointment in the government with this emergency measures, right?” said one woman who identified herself as a care aide to CHEK news.
Island Health confirmed on Saturday anti-vaccine protesters targeted a home care provider driving a fleet vehicle with logos on the doors, on route to a client’s house in James Bay.
While a crowd yelled obscenities at the employee, others used their vehicles to surround the Island Health employee’s car, preventing the employee from getting through.
As a result, Island Health is removing its logo from a number of vehicles, recommending staff travel together whenever possible, and if they feel unsafe, request an escort from Victoria Police.
When asked about the incident, Premier John Horgan said he had not heard about it previously.
“I was unaware of this. So my first reaction is profound disappointment.”
In January, the premier finished 35 rounds of radiation at Victoria’s Cancer Clinic, and didn’t hold back describing the harassment of the Island Health employee.
“The last thing these heroes need, quite frankly, is thuggery and belligerence from those who will be there regardless of that thuggery and belligerence. Those health-care workers will be there to hold their hand as they’re intubated.”
Island Health stated that it wants its staff to focus on the wellbeing of the people they care for, not worrying about their own safety.
Mary Griffin
