Signs outside Red Deer Regional Hospital show workers gratitude

Meantime, sidewalks around the hospital, including one that goes up a hill to the emergency room’s entrance — and one that many health care workers walk up and down for lunch daily — was adorned with chalk messages.

“Health care workers have been doing just extraordinary work throughout this pandemic. They are heroes in our mind. Right now, it seems like a very small, but very vocal minority have turned against them, and they are being demoralized,” said Irwin. “We just felt it was important to show we support them in everything they do. They’ve been completely abandoned by the provincial government.”

Just before noon on Monday, Premier Jason Kenney issued a statement on the protests, saying, “The right to peaceful protest is both constitutionally protected and a cherished Canadian value. But that right is not without limits.

“Today’s protests must in no way obstruct the important operations of our hospitals, including the arrival and departure of emergency vehicles and workers. Blocking an ambulance is most definitely not peaceful protest.”

Kenney added that despite the right to peaceful protest, “one can still question the appalling judgment of those protesting across the country today. It is outrageous that a small minority feel it’s appropriate to protest at hospitals.”

Irwin told rdnewsNOW she’s disgusted at the thought.

“In some cases, some people have been harassing patients and family members and workers, and these are the same people who will expect to be treated with respect if — when, I won’t say if — when they end up in hospital themselves,” she said.

“I have family members in the health care profession, and they just sicken me these people who yes, have the right to protest, but they should not be protesting at hospitals.”

Irwin et al. also made a giant card filled with signatures and cut-out social media comments showing support.

In a statement, United Nurses of Alberta called the protests, which are happening across Canada, primarily in larger cities, demoralizing and deeply troubling.

“UNA wishes to make it clear it is in no way affiliated with or connected to the group of individuals that call themselves ‘Canadian Frontline Nurses.’ That group is primarily opposed to mandatory vaccination, but their social media accounts reveal general anti-vaccination, anti-mask, and anti-lockdown sentiments,” says the union.

“The vast majority of nurses in this country have seen first-hand the devastating effects of COVID-19 and understand that the only way out of this pandemic is through vaccination, physical distancing, masking, and vaccination validation.”

Alberta Health Services also issued a statement, saying it is disappointed the protests are occurring.

“We have no tolerance for intimidation or bullying of our patients, AHS staff or physicians, and find such behaviour abhorrent,” writes the health authority. “We are working closely with police and AHS Protective Services to ensure the safety of patients, physicians and staff.”

Patients, staff and physicians are encouraged to use the SafeWalk service at their respective worksite.

by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Signs outside Red Deer Regional Hospital show workers gratitude

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