The Calgary Flames Aren't The Only Ones
The Flames are causing quite the uproar in Alberta and they are raising eyebrows across the country as well for their move to get H1N1 vaccinations through a side door in a clinic. But all they have actually done is made an example of the two-tiered health system that already exists in Canada. This has very little to do with preferential treatment and everything to do with money and/or connections.
No one knows for sure if the Flames had to pay big bucks for their shots or if it was simply a matter of knowing the right medical personnel who could get it done for them. No doubt that information will come out. There seems to be a public thirst for it in Alberta.
But we have seen private clinics get their hands on the vaccine and provide it for their wealthy members. Money talks. If you have enough - you will get what you want and usually when you want it too.
H1N1 vaccinations are quite an interesting case study. The entire process is being handled under very difficult circumstances. The vaccine came out after the virus began to attack which means dealing with it is kind of like workers at Cami trying to build a car that is already being driven down the highway.
When things are not under complete control, people are presented with loopholes and some people will take advantage. Private clinics are one example, but there are other holes too.
Every health unit is doing its best to screen for high risk individuals as they join the line to get the vaccine. We are told that we MUST be in one of those high risk categories to get the shot. At the moment it is being done on the honour system and it should be no shock to anyone that not everyone is honourable. Chances are you know someone who has lied to get their vaccine. The excuses are endless. It doesn't take that creative a mind to think one up so that you can get through the line and get your H1N1 vaccine ahead of others in the high risk groups.
It is wrong. It is sad. And it is a sorry statement about the people who have done it. But it has happened and it will continue to happen.
The truth of it is, this is a flu. It's a new flu that no one has immunity to yet, so everyone has a greater chance of getting it. The media has done its usual awful job of making it seem larger and scarier than it has actually been so far relative to other flus and illnesses that go around.
Most everyone will get through this just like we get through everything else. Some of us will do what we are told. Others will use money to get what they want. Still others will lie, cheat and steal to get what they want. You can fall into any of the three categories you would like. But as with everything else in this life, you have to deal with the choices you make.
No one knows for sure if the Flames had to pay big bucks for their shots or if it was simply a matter of knowing the right medical personnel who could get it done for them. No doubt that information will come out. There seems to be a public thirst for it in Alberta.
But we have seen private clinics get their hands on the vaccine and provide it for their wealthy members. Money talks. If you have enough - you will get what you want and usually when you want it too.
H1N1 vaccinations are quite an interesting case study. The entire process is being handled under very difficult circumstances. The vaccine came out after the virus began to attack which means dealing with it is kind of like workers at Cami trying to build a car that is already being driven down the highway.
When things are not under complete control, people are presented with loopholes and some people will take advantage. Private clinics are one example, but there are other holes too.
Every health unit is doing its best to screen for high risk individuals as they join the line to get the vaccine. We are told that we MUST be in one of those high risk categories to get the shot. At the moment it is being done on the honour system and it should be no shock to anyone that not everyone is honourable. Chances are you know someone who has lied to get their vaccine. The excuses are endless. It doesn't take that creative a mind to think one up so that you can get through the line and get your H1N1 vaccine ahead of others in the high risk groups.
It is wrong. It is sad. And it is a sorry statement about the people who have done it. But it has happened and it will continue to happen.
The truth of it is, this is a flu. It's a new flu that no one has immunity to yet, so everyone has a greater chance of getting it. The media has done its usual awful job of making it seem larger and scarier than it has actually been so far relative to other flus and illnesses that go around.
Most everyone will get through this just like we get through everything else. Some of us will do what we are told. Others will use money to get what they want. Still others will lie, cheat and steal to get what they want. You can fall into any of the three categories you would like. But as with everything else in this life, you have to deal with the choices you make.
