Why are we protesting at Au Chateau again?

We have made a difference and we will continue to do so.

As many know, I will be at Au Chateau in Sturgeon Falls tomorrow protesting once again.

After successfully getting the Board of Management to rescind their vaccination policy for visitors last month, we are back. Why?

Because Au Chateau is Still Clinging Onto Unscientific Policies

Although the home now allows ALL visitors to enter regardless of the number of shots they chose, Au Chateau still won’t allow workers to come back unless they have a minimum of 3 COVID therapeutic shots.

The science has been quite clear for a while now. The COVID shots may or may not be beneficial on an individual basis but they do not help with lowering the risk of transmission. Especially not in people who have natural immunity (which means nearly 100% of health care workers).

Au Chateau is constantly falling behind the minimum levels of care that seniors deserve and it’s because they are understaffed. The home’s management has even acknowledged this problem and have stated that it is because they cannot find enough trained and qualified staff.

But as I reported on a couple weeks ago, there are plenty of ready, willing and able health care workers in our town that can completely fill the void and help make sure our seniors get the care they deserve.

So why are we not bringing back these health care workers? Some of them have taken 2 shots like most of society. But just refused the 3rd. Why are these people stuck at home when we desperately need them on the front lines?

Because Stubborness is Leading to Neglect

The administrators that so heavily championed these policies from the beginning are terrified of the factual reality. The fact that these policies only made existing staffing shortages worse, it lowered overall employee moral and ultimately did not stop the propagation of the COVID virus.

This graph outlines the amount of COVID outbreaks that our region has suffered in LTC home settings since the pandemic began. Prior to unnecessarily firing dozens of staff because of their health choice, there were 7 total outbreaks in 2 years. In the one year that followed the implementation of these rules, they suffered 22 outbreaks (a 600% annual increase).

It’s no longer an opinion that these policies didn’t accomplish anything. It’s a fact. And the administrators are terrified of accepting that. Because by changing the rules now and acknowledging that they were ineffective (the rules), they have to assume some blame for the shortages they directly caused over the last year. They have to assume blame for the neglect they directly caused.

Because We Can Make a Difference

So why are we protesting. Because we want the Board of Management to hold this administration accountable. We want answers for why they are maintaining these unscientific policies in place and leading to more neglect.

Today the Nugget.ca accurately reported on what transpired last month:

Demonstrations occurred in mid-January, as well. Protesters walked the street outside the home to demand that visitors unvaccinated against COVID-19 could enter the building to visit loved ones.

The home’s policy at the time insisted visitors must be fully vaccinated in order to enter.

Soon after the protests, the board did revise its policy, and now those without a the shots can enter as visitors.

Now demonstrators are hoping the board alters the policy further to allow those without vaccinations to be able to work within the facility.

Last month, shortly after the administration of this organizations publicly stated that they had no intentions of changing the rules, the Board forced them to do so.

So in proper democratic fashion, we are asking the board to once again consider reason and rational and ask that this organization hire the ready, willing and able. Rehire the health care heroes who can immediately make a difference tomorrow.

So if you are in the area and have the time to spare, please join us at 100 Michaud Street or simply drive by and honk in support.