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w at er lo oc hr on ic le .c a W at er lo o C hr on ic le | T hu rs da y, S ep te m be r 23 ,2 02 1 | 6 ABOUT US This newspaper, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 70 community publications across Ontario. This newspaper is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the news- paper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca editorial@waterloochronicle.ca facebook.com/waterloochronicle @wlchronicle WHO WE ARE VP, Regional Publisher Kelly Montague Director of Content Lee Ann Waterman Regional General Manager Nelson Parreira Regional Director of Media Heather Dunbar Advertising Representatives Fran Hendry, Katrina Anderson, Jan Bodanka, Matt Miller, Lisa Humphreys, Cassandra Dellow, Zaid Shahabuddin, Managing Editor Robyn Wilkinson Online Editor Loraine Centeno Reporters Bill Jackson CONTACT US Waterloo Chronicle 475 Thompson Dr., Units 1-4 Cambridge, ON N1T 2K7 Phone: 519-886-2830 Fax: 519-623-9155 Web: www.waterloochronicle.ca Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 320 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters. Published letters will appear in print and/or online at waterloochronicle.ca Delivery For all delivery inquiries, e-mail customerservice@metroland.com or call 519-894-3000. OPINION TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT WATERLOOCHRONICLE.CA EDITORIAL LETTERS & COMMENTARY In this day and age, it is shocking and depressing that newspaper editorialists should have to opine against protesters around hospitals and health-care sites. Sure- ly, we would like to think, no ethical, intelligent person would abuse their right to protest by doing so at the expense of exhausted health-care workers and the peo- ple they protect. Surely, no protest would sink that low. H.L. Mencken is credited with saying "No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people." Sadly, it appears this applies to a small minority of Canadians as well. They have taken their anti-vaxx, COVID-denying protests to hospitals across the country. Ambulances have been impeded. Health-care workers have been verbally assaulted, as have hospital patients, including chemotherapy patients coming and going. Much as we'd like to say this is a new low, the prob- lem is that as this pandemic mess drags on we may see more antics like this, or even worse. Which is why the Ontario government and the new federal government must waste no time in legislating protection for all health-care facilities and the people around and in them. Premier Doug Ford has verbally condemned the protesters. But that's not enough, consid- ering protests are continuing in spite of his condemna- tion. He should recall the legislature he prorogued for his own partisan reasons. His government and all oppo- sition parties can surely agree on the need to stop this outrage. The need to control this infuriating abuse of freedom of speech and assembly comes at a critical time for hos- pitals in Ontario and across Canada. Surgeries and procedures are being cancelled because unvaccinated COVID-19 patients are taking up scarce beds. Health workers are suffering burnout at an alarming rate. So, of course, anti-vaxx, antimask, anti-vaccine pass- port protesters pick this particular time to stand outside hospitals shouting insults and rhetoric. Of course, they, like everyone, have the right to pro- test to express their viewpoint. Even if it is distasteful to the majority, provided it doesn't include spreading ha- tred, it is a right that all Canadians enjoy and should cherish. But hospital staff don't make provincial and national health-care and pandemic policy. That is made by people who work in the big majestic buildings on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, and inside the stately home of the Onta- rio legislature at Queen's Park. One thing both Parlia- ment and Queen's Park have in common is a large, open front lawn and open spaces. Protests and demonstra- tions are welcome in these spaces, provided they are peaceful and orderly. That is not what hospitals and other health-care facil- ities are for. The idea that people working there and relying on the services available should be subjected to abusive and coercive behaviour is disgusting and inde- fensible. Put a wide ribbon of safe space around these places, and keep protesters far away from workers and patients. HOSPITAL PROTESTS ARE UNETHICAL AND ANTI-VAXXERS MUST STOP HOSPITAL EXPERIENCE SHOWS GREAT HEALTH-CARE SYSTEM The people of Waterloo Region are very lucky to live close to two hospitals that are blessed with many dedicated, compassionate and very competent staff and volunteers. From my personal experiences at both hospitals over the last few months, I feel they of- ten go above and beyond what they need to do. The emergency depart- ment of Grand River Hospi- tal quickly diagnosed and treated a problem in De- cember. Recently I was ad- mitted to St. Mary's be- cause of some medical complications. Even though the staff were very busy, I felt that the patients got the best of care. One evening, food services per- sonnel continued to deliver meals and technicians con- tinued to take blood sam- ples on schedule, in spite of a fire alarm that shut down the elevators. I really ap- preciated the nursing care, making sure I was comfort- able and monitoring my status. One special example: I was moved from the medi- cal floor to the cardiac floor in the middle of the night. The cardiac nurse, Rebec- ca, who connected me to a cardiac monitor, waited until just before her shift was over in the morning to telephone my wife to let her know that I had been moved. This kind of extra effort is superb and our health care system is sec- ond to none! ANDREW WILSON, NEW HAMBURG ANTI-VACCINE PROTESTERS SHOULDN'T BE AT HOSPITALS Just when I put hope in humanity during the pan- demic, we get the most de- spicable act of inhumanity with protesters in front of hospitals. Who are these loudmouths who think it is their right to protest where there are extremely sick people, undergoing treat- ments, surgeries, dying, who are forced to listen to the wailings and rantings of these inhumane self- righteous people? Where is it their right to say they are protesting for hospital staff losing jobs if not vaccinated? Did anyone really ask them to protest in front of their place of em- ployment? If people don't want the vaccine that's their choice, but this choice comes with consequences. I cannot consider these people even Canadian. As Canadians we pull togeth- er. For those anti-vaxxers, I have a message. I hope they don't get sick, have a heart attack, get cancer, need surgery or show up inside our hospitals. We should save that space for those who are vaccinated and need care. It's a fact that vaccines save lives. It may save theirs. JOAN COLLINS, WATERLOO