August 2021
A Personal Odyssey
First a look in the dictionary:
To compromise is “a settlement in which each side gives up some demands or makes concessions. As in an adjustment of opposing principles, systems, etc. by modifying some aspects of each and the result of such an adjustment.”
But, to be compromised is different: “To settle or adjust by concessions on both sides; to lay open to danger, suspicion, or disrepute.” Here, the dictionary continues “to weaken or give up (one’s principles, ideals, etc.) as for reasons or expediency.”
During the past weeks of our hot and smoky summer, I have faced a personal dilemma and a decision that has not just been emotional but soul searching. It has brought into stark reality the heart wrenching decision that must be made by all patients, but especially parents of school age children or adult children of aging parents.
I want to be clear that I have never – ever – told a family member, friend or patient “do – or do not – get a vaccine”. There is no situation where that is a decision I can make for someone else. I can recommend and try to inform or even ask, but in the end it’s simply not up to me. And there arose my personal and professional dilemma.
I have to say I honestly hope I never again hear the phrase “I hope you understand”. As most of you know I live with and care for my 100+ year old mother. As a seven year survivor of colon cancer surgery (no chemo), Mom Catharine remains active, busy around our apartment and in spite of lockdowns she is active via Zoom with church and church friends. I am honored and blessed to share these years with her. Of course, I babble [yeah, I know] with her about my research, my translations and my work. She watches the news, listens to my comments and reads (proofreads) all of my articles and translations. Together, we made the choice to not get the COVID vaccine and until recently have managed to stay out of the spotlight and away from the pressure to “get the jab”.
That is until the past few weeks. As I mentioned last month, together we will make the eleven-hour one-way road-trip to Edmonton in the middle of August so that I can participate in a final farewell to long time friend and colleague Dr. Sandy Wood who passed away just over a year ago. Along the way we anticipated visiting with family and the possibility of meeting the new baby girl who is my Mom’s great-great-grand niece. A once in a lifetime opportunity – or blessing – for both of them. But, “I hope you understand. We cannot invite you into our home or visit with you as we have to protect the baby.”
This was followed a few days later by a phone call from one of her two remaining younger sisters-in-law (a retired nurse) advising they will be traveling through our area on their way to Vancouver in September. But, the most important question was: “Are you both vaccinated? No? Oh, I’m so sorry. I hope you understand, but we will not be able to stop. I can’t risk catching this and I don’t want to carry it on.”
What possible answer can we give, but “yes, okay”. But, wait a minute. First of all, we are not sick. We have no contagious or infectious illnesses, no STDs and no COVID, and we are both healthy. We cannot possibly “infect” someone else with something we do not have. And, on the other side of that coin if they are “fully vaccinated” how are we any kind of possible threat to them? And of course, how could I (Carolyn) possibly refute what everyone sees on TV and in the news on a daily basis?
Quite frankly it is frightening just how effective and overwhelming the censorship and propaganda has been (I heard a quip somewhere that Mr. Goebbels would be proud of this campaign). But the result is that my Mom – at 100 years old – is now denied personal contact with our family. Life is short with no guarantees of it being fair. Will the future bring other opportunities to see our family? And, the “I hope you understand” was a pointed implication that through some misguided, negligent and uninformed purpose I have misled poor old Mom by not having her (and myself) properly and fully vaccinated.
For me, the result of these conversations has been several days of prayer, tears, frustration and reflection. Is there such a thing as compromise with this vaccine? Once jabbed, there is no return, no turn-off switch and no responsibility by the pharmaceutical companies. Here is a quote from our Canadian media discussing the ethics (not the safety or purpose) of employers requiring mandatory vaccination for employment:
“Rachel Gilmore – Global News – July 29, 2021
The first consideration, according to bioethicist Kerry Bowman, is whether everyone has had a chance to actually get a vaccine. After that, he said, employers will need to weigh whether the safety concerns in question justify limiting some employee freedoms.
“The ethical concerns with it are freedom of choice, freedom of movement. There is an element of surveillance to it. And then the strong arguments of vulnerable people (who) may well have less access to vaccine certificates in general,” he said
But while people are entitled to freedom of choice and movement, there are also ethical considerations for the people who want their colleagues vaccinated so they can work in a safe environment.
“If someone chooses not to be vaccinated and absolutely wants to be back in the workplace, they may well be creating a potential risk for other people,” [the emphasis here is mine CLW] Bowman said.
“Ethics is often a balancing act.”
–With files from Global News’ Jackson Proskow”
And now, under the title “Crackdown on unvaccinated in B.C. could be coming as Delta spreads”, we hear:
“A special push to boost the vaccination rate in these regions was recently announced. A new awareness campaign and more resources will be used to boost the numbers.
If there is not much progress made by September, would public health authorities simply throw up their hands in frustration or would they consider another option: the requirement of proof of vaccination to engage in certain activities or attend certain events?
In other words, will proof of vaccination eventually be required for people to go to bars, restaurants, nightclubs, movie theatres or fitness classes in places like [certain] parts [of B.C.], if vaccination rates remain stubbornly low? . . .
If anything, B.C. authorities may be prepared to get even tougher on those who refuse the jab for no good reason.
Keith Baldrey, Chief Political Reporter for Global BC” [emphasis again mine CLW]
For me personally, the decision – the choice – involves professional, ethical, moral, economic, political and medical principles. My nearly two years of research and involvement with publication regarding this virus, tells me that the vaccine should be avoided by almost everyone – or at the least back to the initial guidelines for those over 65 or compromised by other co-infections/co-morbidities. Consideration must also be given to the effectiveness and safety of these experimental vaccines. I know how to effectively treat us should we catch this virus – I have no treatment or recourse for any side effects or long term consequences of this so-called mRNA vaccine.
And this now becomes the crux of the dilemma. The vaccine simply becomes compulsory through persuasion, coercion and manipulation so that we are allowed to:
- Access government pensions, health care, services, etc.
- Hold employment
- Attend school or get an education
- Travel for personal or business purposes
- Attend church
- Attend a concert
- Go to the gym
- Meet with our family or friends
Whether the so-called conspiracy theories (WEF, Gates, 5G, etc.) about the funding and purpose of the handling of this pandemic are true or not, as a global and national population we must deeply consider our loss of freedoms in the name of “being safe”. The complete censorship of alternate or “mis”-information regarding the virus can only be explained as a way to protect the orthodox or scientific information seen in the mainstream media. That loss of freedom of speech is a keystone for the control and restriction now being played out on a daily basis in almost all other areas of our lives. The use of digital ID through “vaccine passports” leads to complete control and surveillance over all aspects of our lives and freedoms.
And so, to my dear family, “yes, I do understand”. Probably more than most. The compromise I now must face is whether I can ethically and morally take my Mom and myself down to the “health center” and have us both vaccinated so that we can once again receive our full government pension, give our friend a hug, visit our family or go to church. But, that is also Mom’s choice.
Carolyn
All censorships exist to prevent anyone from challenging current conceptions and existing institutions. All progress is initiated by challenging current conceptions, and executed by supplanting existing institutions. Consequently, the first condition of progress is the removal of censorship. George Bernard Shaw
Update: Today (Friday Aug. 6) the “stick” begins to be lowered and Canada leaves democracy and truth further behind. One Canadian province (Quebec) is instituting mandatory vaccinations for health care workers and other “essential services”. They will begin a “vaccine passport” system that can also be loaded onto your cell phone. That passport must be shown for you to enter most “non-essential” services including restaurants, many stores, gyms, etc. Our Canadian federal government is moving to make vaccines mandatory for all federal employees and health care workers. Our Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has stated on several occasions that “there is no reason why anybody would not get vaccinated”.
In my own province of British Columbia the health authorities have openly stated that they are considering “all options” to ensure that everyone is able to get vaccinated as quickly as possible. The messages, interviews, press conferences and advertising on the TV are so overwhelming that people are being drawn into the “free walk-in vaccination clinics” by the 10s of thousands. Their statistics claim that 95% of all current cases are in the un-vaccinated, but in the meanwhile nearly 70% of the population has been “fully vaccinated” and nearly 90% has been jabbed with at least one dose.
I’m simply not sure what word to use to describe how I feel reading these announcements. Peaceful protest is rapidly dismissed, all contrary information is censored or labeled as fake and all options to choose opposite the “party line” are being closed. The mouse rap is closing. Coercion and threat does not equal consent, but how do we go forward from here?
Carolyn
An Exclusive Commentary Article for P2P Supporters
From the Monthly Publications of P2P
Published August 2021
© Copyright 2021, Carolyn Winsor, P2P, BC Canada
August 2021
A Personal Odyssey
First a look in the dictionary:
To compromise is “a settlement in which each side gives up some demands or makes concessions. As in an adjustment of opposing principles, systems, etc. by modifying some aspects of each and the result of such an adjustment.”
But, to be compromised is different: “To settle or adjust by concessions on both sides; to lay open to danger, suspicion, or disrepute.” Here, the dictionary continues “to weaken or give up (one’s principles, ideals, etc.) as for reasons or expediency.”
During the past weeks of our hot and smoky summer, I have faced a personal dilemma and a decision that has not just been emotional but soul searching. It has brought into stark reality the heart wrenching decision that must be made by all patients, but especially parents of school age children or adult children of aging parents.
I want to be clear that I have never – ever – told a family member, friend or patient “do – or do not – get a vaccine”. There is no situation where that is a decision I can make for someone else. I can recommend and try to inform or even ask, but in the end it’s simply not up to me. And there arose my personal and professional dilemma.
I have to say I honestly hope I never again hear the phrase “I hope you understand”. As most of you know I live with and care for my 100+ year old mother. As a seven year survivor of colon cancer surgery (no chemo), Mom Catharine remains active, busy around our apartment and in spite of lockdowns she is active via Zoom with church and church friends. I am honored and blessed to share these years with her. Of course, I babble [yeah, I know] with her about my research, my translations and my work. She watches the news, listens to my comments and reads (proofreads) all of my articles and translations. Together, we made the choice to not get the COVID vaccine and until recently have managed to stay out of the spotlight and away from the pressure to “get the jab”.
That is until the past few weeks. As I mentioned last month, together we will make the eleven-hour one-way road-trip to Edmonton in the middle of August so that I can participate in a final farewell to long time friend and colleague Dr. Sandy Wood who passed away just over a year ago. Along the way we anticipated visiting with family and the possibility of meeting the new baby girl who is my Mom’s great-great-grand niece. A once in a lifetime opportunity – or blessing – for both of them. But, “I hope you understand. We cannot invite you into our home or visit with you as we have to protect the baby.”
This was followed a few days later by a phone call from one of her two remaining younger sisters-in-law (a retired nurse) advising they will be traveling through our area on their way to Vancouver in September. But, the most important question was: “Are you both vaccinated? No? Oh, I’m so sorry. I hope you understand, but we will not be able to stop. I can’t risk catching this and I don’t want to carry it on.”
What possible answer can we give, but “yes, okay”. But, wait a minute. First of all, we are not sick. We have no contagious or infectious illnesses, no STDs and no COVID, and we are both healthy. We cannot possibly “infect” someone else with something we do not have. And, on the other side of that coin if they are “fully vaccinated” how are we any kind of possible threat to them? And of course, how could I (Carolyn) possibly refute what everyone sees on TV and in the news on a daily basis?
Quite frankly it is frightening just how effective and overwhelming the censorship and propaganda has been (I heard a quip somewhere that Mr. Goebbels would be proud of this campaign). But the result is that my Mom – at 100 years old – is now denied personal contact with our family. Life is short with no guarantees of it being fair. Will the future bring other opportunities to see our family? And, the “I hope you understand” was a pointed implication that through some misguided, negligent and uninformed purpose I have misled poor old Mom by not having her (and myself) properly and fully vaccinated.
For me, the result of these conversations has been several days of prayer, tears, frustration and reflection. Is there such a thing as compromise with this vaccine? Once jabbed, there is no return, no turn-off switch and no responsibility by the pharmaceutical companies. Here is a quote from our Canadian media discussing the ethics (not the safety or purpose) of employers requiring mandatory vaccination for employment:
“Rachel Gilmore – Global News – July 29, 2021
The first consideration, according to bioethicist Kerry Bowman, is whether everyone has had a chance to actually get a vaccine. After that, he said, employers will need to weigh whether the safety concerns in question justify limiting some employee freedoms.
“The ethical concerns with it are freedom of choice, freedom of movement. There is an element of surveillance to it. And then the strong arguments of vulnerable people (who) may well have less access to vaccine certificates in general,” he said
But while people are entitled to freedom of choice and movement, there are also ethical considerations for the people who want their colleagues vaccinated so they can work in a safe environment.
“If someone chooses not to be vaccinated and absolutely wants to be back in the workplace, they may well be creating a potential risk for other people,” [the emphasis here is mine CLW] Bowman said.
“Ethics is often a balancing act.”
–With files from Global News’ Jackson Proskow”
And now, under the title “Crackdown on unvaccinated in B.C. could be coming as Delta spreads”, we hear:
“A special push to boost the vaccination rate in these regions was recently announced. A new awareness campaign and more resources will be used to boost the numbers.
If there is not much progress made by September, would public health authorities simply throw up their hands in frustration or would they consider another option: the requirement of proof of vaccination to engage in certain activities or attend certain events?
In other words, will proof of vaccination eventually be required for people to go to bars, restaurants, nightclubs, movie theatres or fitness classes in places like [certain] parts [of B.C.], if vaccination rates remain stubbornly low? . . .
If anything, B.C. authorities may be prepared to get even tougher on those who refuse the jab for no good reason.
Keith Baldrey, Chief Political Reporter for Global BC” [emphasis again mine CLW]
For me personally, the decision – the choice – involves professional, ethical, moral, economic, political and medical principles. My nearly two years of research and involvement with publication regarding this virus, tells me that the vaccine should be avoided by almost everyone – or at the least back to the initial guidelines for those over 65 or compromised by other co-infections/co-morbidities. Consideration must also be given to the effectiveness and safety of these experimental vaccines. I know how to effectively treat us should we catch this virus – I have no treatment or recourse for any side effects or long term consequences of this so-called mRNA vaccine.
And this now becomes the crux of the dilemma. The vaccine simply becomes compulsory through persuasion, coercion and manipulation so that we are allowed to:
Whether the so-called conspiracy theories (WEF, Gates, 5G, etc.) about the funding and purpose of the handling of this pandemic are true or not, as a global and national population we must deeply consider our loss of freedoms in the name of “being safe”. The complete censorship of alternate or “mis”-information regarding the virus can only be explained as a way to protect the orthodox or scientific information seen in the mainstream media. That loss of freedom of speech is a keystone for the control and restriction now being played out on a daily basis in almost all other areas of our lives. The use of digital ID through “vaccine passports” leads to complete control and surveillance over all aspects of our lives and freedoms.
And so, to my dear family, “yes, I do understand”. Probably more than most. The compromise I now must face is whether I can ethically and morally take my Mom and myself down to the “health center” and have us both vaccinated so that we can once again receive our full government pension, give our friend a hug, visit our family or go to church. But, that is also Mom’s choice.
Carolyn
All censorships exist to prevent anyone from challenging current conceptions and existing institutions. All progress is initiated by challenging current conceptions, and executed by supplanting existing institutions. Consequently, the first condition of progress is the removal of censorship. George Bernard Shaw
Update: Today (Friday Aug. 6) the “stick” begins to be lowered and Canada leaves democracy and truth further behind. One Canadian province (Quebec) is instituting mandatory vaccinations for health care workers and other “essential services”. They will begin a “vaccine passport” system that can also be loaded onto your cell phone. That passport must be shown for you to enter most “non-essential” services including restaurants, many stores, gyms, etc. Our Canadian federal government is moving to make vaccines mandatory for all federal employees and health care workers. Our Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has stated on several occasions that “there is no reason why anybody would not get vaccinated”.
In my own province of British Columbia the health authorities have openly stated that they are considering “all options” to ensure that everyone is able to get vaccinated as quickly as possible. The messages, interviews, press conferences and advertising on the TV are so overwhelming that people are being drawn into the “free walk-in vaccination clinics” by the 10s of thousands. Their statistics claim that 95% of all current cases are in the un-vaccinated, but in the meanwhile nearly 70% of the population has been “fully vaccinated” and nearly 90% has been jabbed with at least one dose.
I’m simply not sure what word to use to describe how I feel reading these announcements. Peaceful protest is rapidly dismissed, all contrary information is censored or labeled as fake and all options to choose opposite the “party line” are being closed. The mouse rap is closing. Coercion and threat does not equal consent, but how do we go forward from here?
Carolyn
From the Monthly Publications of P2P
Published August 2021
© Copyright 2021, Carolyn Winsor, P2P, BC Canada
About the author
Carolyn L. Winsor
Carolyn’s decades-long involvement with the work of OIRF has given her the tools and skills to offer you unique and valuable insights into the ongoing developments in this always expanding field. Her Biological Medicine background includes:
Credentials
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