Exposing children to experimental vaccine wrong
Sir: I’m astounded that the government is allowing youth ages 12 and up to receive a medical procedure without parental consent.
I’m referring to the administration of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, which is still in the experimental stage (a vaccine is usually tested a minimum of two years before approval, but this one was rushed into production).
This is unprecedented government interference in parents’ rights to make decisions for the welfare of their child. Children and youth have a 99.9% chance of surviving COVID, yet they’re being encouraged to submit to a medical experiment that could possibly lead to permanent health problems (e.g. infertility, heart issues, etc.)
If vulnerable adults are protected by their COVID vaccines, there’s no need to rush the younger generation into a medical procedure they might regret.
And unfortunately, the drug companies cannot be sued for damages if the vaccine causes serious disability.
Christine Chenard
Sarnia
City has alternatives to automatic tax hikes
Sir: Sarnia recently indicated a need to dredge a stormwater management pond at a cost of $900,000, and stated there is no annual budget amount set aside from property taxes or water/sewer rates to fund this periodic maintenance expense.
There are funding options other than automatically burdening taxpayers with property tax or water/sewer rate increases, which are always noticeably greater than inflation – more than what taxpayers can make up with their inflation-limited income adjustments.
For a forecasted periodic maintenance expense the city can always avoid spending on something else that could wait another year or so. This is a responsible way to prioritize expenses.
Also, the city is expecting a $4.57 million surplus from 2020, which will go to reserves. So, another potential source of funding for forecasted periodic expenses are surpluses and reserves.
In general, the city should always look at funding options other than simply taking from increasingly burdened taxpayers.
Manuel Marta
Sarnia
Suicide prevention committee applauded for new initiative
Sir: Regarding the May 28th story, “New local resource available to help prevent suicide.”
Sometimes the solutions are right there in front of our eyes. I applaud the work of the Sarnia Lambton Suicide Prevention Committee in helping people navigate the system when trying to get help in times of mental health crises.
As someone who has navigated the system before, I can attest to how difficult it can be to get help. The most obvious hurdle is the stigma facing those with mental health issues.
Thankfully, in the last few years that has changed, thanks in no small part to groups like this committee and larger initiatives like Bell Let’s Talk Day.
But the second hurdle is less obvious. Stigma is one thing. Trying to find help for mental health problems is tough because I feel the health care system is only beginning to catch up to the changing attitudes toward mental illness.
That doesn’t mean there is no help out there. It’s just that it’s hard to find. That’s why this initiative is so important.
As a member of the Federal Speakers Bureau on Mental Health and a Corunna native, it makes me proud to see this type of work being done at the grassroots in an area I still consider home.
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among younger Canadians. Some research shows men are four times more likely to die of suicide than women. Clearly, we need to continue to work and help these people who might be able to ask for help. Regards,
Michael Hammond
Ottawa
Vaccine rollout missing people who aren’t online
Sir: The media and government want people to take the COVID-19 vaccine. I didn't want to get it, but friends and family convinced me to get the shot.
First I went to the pharmacy and was told I would have to log onto a website and be registered before they could give the first shot.
Then I called Lambton Public Health and got similar BS.
Some people don’t own a computer or have web access. Or if they do, they may not know how to use it. How is this policy helping them fight COVID?
The government has screwed this up grandly, especially for the elderly who live in isolation.
Duane Skuce
Sarnia