As the pandemic wreaks havoc on hospitals across the country, many Americans are still refusing to get vaccinated. According to reports, in some areas at least 90% of patients occupying hospital beds are unvaccinated. Many argue it is their right to choose, but should hospital staff have the right to refuse patients who decide not to get vaccinated?
One local doctor appears to think so. A woman on Facebook under the name Maureen Rebecca posted, "...then when you come into my hospital, unvaccinated, dying of Covid, I'm giving my energy and resources to those who care enough about me on the front lines for the past 18 months and my young kids to get vaccinated. Sorry not sorry. Choices are about to have BIG TIME CONSEQUENCES. I will choose not to help you when resources are limited. Because I care about me not you... How do you like them apples?" Facebook users have identified the woman as Unity Hospital doctor, Maureen R. Slattery. According to Google, Dr. Slattery is an Obstetrician-gynecologist at 995 Senator Keating Blvd Building E Ste 210. Outraged readers slammed the post and left comments along with one-star reviews for Dr. Slattlery's office.
While some doctors consider refusing patients, other health care workers are protesting mandatory vaccinations. On August 2, Spectrum News spoke with a group of people including health care workers hours before the University of Rochester Medical Center and Rochester Regional Health announced new guidelines. The U of R and Rochester Regional are requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for health care employees. Over 100 protesters, held signs and spoke out against mandatory vaccinations outside Strong Memorial Hospital. Seventy percent of eligible New Yorkers have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The group that protested represents some of the other 30%. The group delivered a strong message that it should be an individual’s decision to get vaccinated
The Washington Post reported doctors as stating nationwide outbreaks are overwhelming hospitals and may have been avoided had more people been immunized. According to the report, at one point 46 of the 50 states experienced double-digit growth in covid-19 hospitalizations, according to an analysis. Eight states, including California and New York, which for most of the summer had not seen many serious cases, added more than 400 new inpatients in that time.
“It’s absolutely due to delta; it’s absolutely due to unvaccinated people,” said David Wohl, a specialist in infectious diseases at the University of North Carolina. “There is an incredible increase in hospitalizations across the spectrum, from just needing oxygen and some care to needing serious interventions to keep people alive. If everyone was vaccinated, our hospitals would not be anywhere near where we are,” Wohl said.
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