To the Editor:
Very recently, Maine used its powers under this public health emergency to require mass vaccination of health care employees against COVID-19 with a deadline of Oct. 1, 2021.
Most may be unaware, but this idea began almost a year ago by adding the seasonal flu vaccine as a requirement for health care workers. At the same time, it clarified their authority to “require mass vaccinations and exclusions from the workplace” during a public health emergency. Most focused on the addition of the seasonal flu vaccine and did not notice the language clarification. This authority has been subconsciously churning in the background until Aug. 12, 2021, when the COVID-19 vaccine was added to the list.
I so deeply wish those that create and implement things like this were working in the field it affects. The workforce is extremely limited right now, partly for other poor decisions the state has made, but we are where we are. It is nearing a bidding war for employees. Everyone is working with a skeleton staff and respectfully to all other industries, the health care industry is one industry that should not be in this situation during a pandemic.
The response I received to this mandate was that if all health care jobs require vaccination, then where are the disgruntled employees going to go? They are betting the employees won’t change professions.
However, the frontline workers that have dealt with all of the restrictions and sacrifices over the last 18 months are now being given an ultimatum. Many frontline workers are in health care to test the waters of the industry, doing it while in college, as a second job, and many other reasons.
If they feel strongly against this vaccine, they are going to leave the industry. They have little skin in the game and with the extreme demand everywhere else, they shouldn’t need to worry about unemployment. Or, will this result in another round of increased unemployment claims as a result of COVID-19?
Facilities like ours are mostly staffed with these frontline level workers. There is no wiggle room to give with staffing ratios right now. This could cause sick patients to back up in the hospital as care facilities cannot accept them due to required staffing ratios. Decreased occupancy and increased costs could warrant another round of government “funding” putting us further into debt.
The unfortunate thing with this strong-arm is that there is no alternative. A few states have similar mandates with the option to be tested multiple times a week instead. Don’t get me wrong — I have been fully vaccinated since January 2021. I believe nearly all should receive the vaccine, but this is the wrong way to do it. You are pinching the vein that keeps everyone alive.
Douglas Cyr
Owner of Leisure Gardens & Leisure Village, a 137 unit retirement center
Presque Isle, Maine.
