Tags
Caravaggio, Christian Dubé, Covid, Health workers must be vaccinated, MSN, Pass sanitaire, Passeport vaccinal, Québec
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Doubting Thomas
The Bible, both the Old and the New Testaments, provides unforgettable depictions of human behaviour. In this respect, the Bible is extremely rich. Wikipedia provides a description of a doubting Thomas, now an archetype:
“A doubting Thomas is a skeptic who refuses to believe without direct personal experience — a reference to the Gospel of John‘s depiction of the Apostle Thomas, who, in John’s account, refused to believe the resurrected Jesus had appeared to the ten other apostles until he could see and feel Jesus’ crucifixion wounds.”
(See Doubting Thomas, Wikipedia)
Since 1st September 2021, the citizens of Quebec must carry proof that they have been vaccinated. However, given variants such as the Delta variant, vaccinated individuals must continue to wear a mask, disinfect their hands, and keep at a distance from others. Unvaccinated persons are shunned and have no way of defending themselves. Employers need not keep employees who are not vaccinated. The government of Quebec had excellent reasons to impose vaccination. On 7 July, 95% of new Covid-19 infections were persons who had not been vaccinated.
https://www.tvanouvelles.ca/2021/07/07/95-des-cas-de-covid-19-netaient-pas-adequatement-vaccines
The Vaccine Passport
https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/health-issues/a-z/2019-coronavirus
https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/health-issues/a-z/2019-coronavirus/situation-coronavirus-in-quebec/
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1947082307592?cmp=newsletter_Coronavirus%20Brief_4720_313512
Conclusion
I doubt that persons who do not think Covid-19 is real would accept to go near an infected person. In my opinion, they would be afraid. So many people have contracted the virus and died that an anti-vaxxer may fear infection. Besides, if one fears “big government” and “big pharma,” one is likely to fear compulsory self-isolation. What one says and what one does may be two different things.
In Quebec, Covid-19 was devastating. It has to end. Hence the pass sanitaire. I have read that other provinces will make vaccination mandatory. As things stand, an employer can refuse to keep an unvaccinated employee. The vaccine is proving “adequately” protective.
There is very little room left for a “doubting Thomas.”
A large number of Quebec health workers remain unvaccinated. They must be vaccinated by 15th October. Health workers who are not vaccinated will lose their position.
Pénurie criante d’infirmières: Dubé promet d’annoncer des propositions audacieuses (msn.com)
© Micheline Walker
17 September 2021
WordPress
Micheline's Blog 
More good common sense. Thank you.
And I love thinking of those anti-vaxxers as the doubting Thomases. (It’s actually rather a benign reference as we can all be doubting Thomases when confronted with what seems so outside the norm. But these latter-day DTs refuse to accept the evidence in front of them until their personal experience declares: “Too late!”
Unfortunately, their ignorant and selfish behavior puts others in great danger. Thomas was just his own doubting self. No real harm to others.
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The government couldn’t let matters get worse. They were running out of resources. On July 7th, 95% of cases in Quebec were persons who had not been vaccinated. They came up with the word “adequate.” Given the Delta variant, the vaccine is “adequate” protection. Other provinces will also make the vaccine mandatory. This is not a perfect world, so one settles for “adequate” protection. Health workers who are not vaccinated will be replaced. There is no absolute in this situation. One acts reasonably. Hope has returned. I’m delighted. There should be fewer doubting Thomases. I thank you for writing.
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I miss visiting Caravaggio’s paintings. I agree with you about the doubting Thomas’s, people don’t have a right to make personal health decisions that endanger other people, especially vulnerable, unvaccinated children.
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We do not have a right to endanger someone else’s life. We do not need “doubting Thomases.” There is proof that the vaccine protects people. The children will be vaccinated. Children have died, and their poor parents grieve. Something had to be done. I’m delighted.
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Vaccine passports are a good idea. I wish the U.S. used them.
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I think they will be required in the U.S. but the former administration did not act as promptly as possible. The Quebec government supervised the vaccination campaign. I downloaded my passport. It is in my smartphone. So, yes, the passport is a very good idea. Healthworkers must be vaccinated by 15th October, or they lose their job. I think that decision was made this week. I hope all goes well. Cheers!
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I’ve never seen that painting before, but it is immediately recognisable as a Caravaggio
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It is an extraordinary painting. Caravaggio all but created “chiaroscuro,” but the painting is a masterpiece in many ways, including the subject matter. The Doubting Thomas is an archetype and a powerful archetype. When he saw Jesus, Thomas rejoiced. He had lost faith, and faith is hope. You just lost your mother, which is a terrible experience. I’m so sorry you lost her and I am also sorry that others are spreading Covid. There can be no doubt that Covid kills. Stay safe.
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