Carrying indicators with messages akin to “Unmask our kids” and “I don’t co-parent with the federal government,” a whole bunch of well being care staff and others held a rally in entrance of a Clinton Township hospital Sunday to protest pressured vaccinations.
As of midday, an estimated 2,000 individuals lined either side of the sidewalk alongside 19 Mile Highway, west of Garfield Highway, in entrance of Henry Ford Macomb Hospital. They barked slogans, waved to passing vehicles as motorists honked their horns and sang “God Bless America” on a steamy sizzling afternoon.
They had been protesting necessary COVID-19 vaccinations for workers, contractors and others. Staff say Sept. 10 is the deadline to endure the remedy or face “voluntary” termination.
“My employer is just not going to inform me that I’ve to take a shot,” mentioned Frank Tanner, who mentioned he labored at Henry Ford.
“Once I was employed right here, I wasn’t instructed I’d should have a shot. Now, 35 years later they’re forcing me to take one. Everyone knows in Oakland and Macomb counties it’s concerning the votes and it’s about cash. I will likely be doggone in the event you’re going to inform us we have now to take a shot — no. It’s tyranny.”
Protestors mentioned they aren’t against the vaccine itself — some on Sunday acknowledge they’ve obtained it — it’s the truth that enterprise or authorities can power that as a situation of employment that they objected to.
Don Parkinson of Macomb County, who is just not a well being care employee however is performing as a mouthpiece for some, mentioned Sunday’s rally attracted many outdoors of the well being care trade who’re merely “freedom fighters.”
“In the event that they find yourself firing a 3rd of their employees as a result of they don’t need a shot, the hospital must terminate individuals with a purpose to accomplish that. That’s unlucky. We don’t wish to see individuals lose their jobs, we wish to appear them have a alternative within the matter,” Parkinson mentioned.
Henry Ford Well being System grew to become the primary recognized hospital system within the state to require all 33,000 of its workers to get vaccinated.
Bob Riney, president and CEO of Henry Ford Well being System, mentioned in a press release that the vaccines are secure, efficient and the “strongest device” out there to combat the pandemic.
“The current resolution by the (U.S. Meals and Drug Administration) to grant full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine additional solidified what we already knew. As the primary well being system in Michigan to require vaccination for our workforce, we stay assured in our resolution and are happy to see broad assist for a vaccine requirement throughout healthcare and in different industries,” Riney mentioned within the assertion.
