Patience wearing thin: Anger aimed at anti-vaccine movement grows
You don’t need to search far on social media to see the continued ‘Us vs. Them’ mentality when it comes to the choice to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
There’s also a growing impatience among the fully vaccinated, who see vaccine hesitancy as a selfish choice.
Bea Penney is watching the debate over the COVID-19 vaccine closely.
“I feel that maybe the anti-vaccine people don't have the appropriate information that they need," said Penney who is a retired nurse.
Factions of the unvaccinated minority have been very vocal at times about the choice of whether or not to get the jab against COVID-19.
Penney said it is her belief that all Canadians at this time bear a huge responsibility.
"We need to take a care of our health and the health of other people," said Penney.
Nova Scotia Community College instructor Ed McHugh agrees.
"My wife is a nurse, and she retired two years ago,” said McHugh. “Last March when COVID-19 hit she went back to work."
McHugh is proud of the contribution his wife is making. As the pandemic continues with multiple waves, he says he has lost all patience with the ‘anti-vax’ movement.
"When I watch these anti-vaxxers in action, they frustrate the hell out of me,” said McHugh. "I think that they are getting way too much air time for the percentage of people that they are."
McHugh also said he is disappointed with the ongoing toxic dialogue on social media that connected to COVID-19 and the vaccine.
"We don't want to touch freedom of speech. We are going to leave that alone,” said McHugh. “But the internet has provided a spot for these people to meet and communicate."
Digital anthropologist Giles Crouch said based on messaging he is seeing on social media, pro-vaccine people are angry.
"They know that in order to get to herd immunity, we need 85 per cent of the population vaccinated,” said Crouch.
“We are not getting there and some people are tired and frustrated. I am seeing that and they are lashing out against the anti-vaccine people, and they're now becoming angry, as much as the anti-vaxxers are angry."
McHugh hopes the issue will settle down, and more people will eventually get their shots.
"What is good for society has to trump the private views of some citizens," said McHugh.
As the anti-vaccine dialogue continues and the COVID-19 case count increases, Penney has concerns about where it will lead.
"I am very fearful of another shut down," said Penney who says multiple province-wide shut downs have already taken a major toll on all Maritimers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Breast cancer screening should start at age 40, Canadian Cancer Society says
The Canadian Cancer Society says all provinces and territories should lower the starting age for breast cancer screening to 40.
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Canadian-Israeli man shot dead in Egypt; claim links killing to Gaza
A Canadian man 'of Jewish Israeli descent' has been shot dead in the Egyptian city of Alexandria in a suspected criminal case, a security source said, while a previously unknown militant group said it carried out the attack in reaction to the war in Gaza.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.