While the City updates no change in service level from the Immunization Policy, council urges the public to maintain respect for opinions on both sides.

By Alessia Proietti

Polarization of opinions warrants discussion

Majority of City employees comply with COVID-19 policy

Dec 7, 2021 | 9:34 AM

The City of Red Deer provided a one-week update on the implementation of its COVID-19 Immunization Policy for City employees at Monday’s council meeting.

Following a request by council on Nov. 15, administration was asked to provide a report regarding the development, implementation, compliance and impacts of the policy.

The request was also in relation to the potential implementation of a similar Immunization policy on council members.

The City reported that as of Dec. 6, 89 per cent, or 1,303 out of 1,463 employees have submitted proof of double vaccination.

Out of the remaining 11 per cent, or 160 employees, 19 of them are on an approved leave of absence and are not required to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test until returning to work.

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Under 10 employees, adding up to less than one per cent, have not provided proof of vaccination and have not submitted their required negative tests as per the Policy. Administration has stated they will be working with the employees to determine future steps.

Approximately 10 per cent of employees, or 141 workers, have opted to submit negative COVID tests in lieu of vaccination proof.

Interim City Manager Tara Lodewyk stated there have been no impacts on service levels and no anticipated impacts.

However, she also emphasized the “compound impacts” of the pandemic to be considered.

“We have lost the connection with each other. There are long term damages to relationships because of COVID. This is real. I’m seeing burnouts, anxiety, fear, sadness, and hurt,” she said.

Councillor Victor Doerksen asked the City to reconsider the need for employees working from home to require a negative COVID test.

Councillor Kraymer Barnstable voiced the issue of high costs of personal testing.

“If we wanted to be a leader, in as far as regarding people’s health and safety, would we want to cover those costs because those people coming to work that have required a test can prove for a fact they don’t have COVID where the ones that are immunized can’t prove that,” he said.

Councillor Cindy Jeffries reiterated her stance that vaccinations reduce the harsh symptoms of COVID-19 and aim to reduce hospital overload.

But it was Michael Dawe’s urge to the public with regards to expressing their opinions on the matter with respect on both sides.

“I find if someone starts with an insult, I’m not necessarily going to be that receptive from that point on,” he said. “I’ve been called a Nazi, a communist – not sure how you get to be both – but I’ve been called both. I’ve been called a Satanist.

“There is a strong value to being respectful, to being careful about what you say and not to throw a lot of gratuitous insults.”