T’is the season for sneezing, coughing, hacking and hurting. As soon as Daylight Savings Time is imposed upon us, reminding us immediately that the balm of sunshine is limited, other woes begin. SAD, or Seasonal Adjustment Disorder is psychological: we northeners know all about getting through a long winter, grumpy and cantankerous, like a bear whose hibernation has been interrupted.
The other reminder is the onset of colds. Living in a large city is nigh impossible to avoid contact with carriers of germs. This seems to be particularily true for parents of school age children, who constantly seem to be bringing hope a new version of nasal drip, barking cough, and all the accompanying pleasures. With most families these days out of necessity having both parents in the work force, it becomes a logistic nightmare when children are ill enough to need to recuperate at home.
Taking children to work is not the answer, as anyone who has tried that knows full well. It seems that only unionized people have the freedom and flexibility to take sick days, whether for their own benefit or that of their offspring. Unfortunately the non-unionized, non-governmental sector, while not necessarily callous and cruel, stream-lined towards efficiency as it is, has little leeway for providing sick days - one can usuallly be arranged, but what do you do with more than one child? Often the colds start with one, pass on to the next, when the kids are back in school its M & P’s time to hunt for the Robitussin, Kleenex and Advil sinus. Still going to work as well.
The perpetual cycle is a given, and most reluctantly bear the burden. What nobody seems to want is the flu, thus the popularity of flu shots. Our benevolent government is even providing them free of charge, understanding that the effects of the flu are much more longer lasting than a dripping beak. Yet - having a flu shot should not be imposed opn anyone, regardless of the argued benefits to society. After all, one’s body is one’s temple, to care for (or abuse) as one sees fit.
Having spent too much time lately in hospitals and health care facilities, seen the efforts of health care providers, nurses, doctors and volunteers, one notices over all their cheerfulness in severely taxing situations. Considering that they are exposed to countless varieties of germs it is a miracle that during the flu and cold season hospitals are able to operate. One presumes that doctors, nurses and paramedics willingly accept flu shots to protect themselves against viruses. However, they should be given a choice.
A particularily puzzling issue has popped up with regard to innoculations. Does, or should, the government have the right to force anyone to have a flu shot against their will? Many people refuse the shot out of principle - after all, you are mildly infected with the shot, to enable the body to build resistance to the flu. The most prominent case invloves a Northern Ontario paramedic, working out of North Bay and Parry Sound hospitals. The paramedic was suspended almost a year ago (with full pay, of course, thanks to the power of his union) for refusing to have the government ordered shot. The goverment varmints in their wisdom have made it compulsory for ambulance and paramedic workers.
Why this is so is hard to comprehend. One cannot really anticipate that a paramedic would get the flu for the entire winter season - it is something, that most people expect these days, coughs, colds and sniffles come with the territory, more prominent during winter, when people are cooped up indoors.
The good news is that this paramedic has finally been re-instated, allowed to work again, in his chosen field. The unresolved issue is why are the flu shots compulsory, for paramedics anyway?
Lots of well meaning people (often childless, sometimes parents of healthy children) are rankled when someone elses Caitlins and Madisons go to school with runny noses. Lacking the choice to care for these children, the options are limited. As well, it needs to be argued that this is a part of growing up - learning to function when not in full health. Not everyone is likely to latch onto a unionized position when entering the workforce.
Sure, nobody wants to be trapped on public transportation with sneezing, horking, coughing people, seemingly straight from the TB ward. However, the pace of life being as it is these days offers little options for adults.
The other option should be available for the principled individual - to be able to choose, not opt for a flu shot. As our society ages, it seems that the flu shots are of most benefit to the elderly. For those that are healthy, fit and young, the shot may be of little or no benefit.
This is granted, an individual issue. One however, that should not be dismissed with off the cuff comments such as these shots are for the common good. Considering that one’s body should be allowed to remain inviolate, no government could or should enforce such draconian principles as experienced for almost a year by a dedicated, principled individual, whose work is helping, healing and supporting, rather than infecting and spreading disease. Others are much better equipped to do that anywhere you go, from shopping malls to schools, subways and even on the sidewalk. A good thing, that the government finally relented and saw the light, diminished as it is at this time of year.
English leader: Whose body is it, anyway?
Arvamus
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