How can a person protest that their social responsibility is an unacceptable impingement on their freedoms?  Where does that illusionary concept even germinate? 

Why would anyone vociferously reject their commonality with the rest of humankind on the one hand, but demand acceptance by the whole on the other?  How could logic become so corrupted?

We’ve all been impacted by COVID.  We’re all tired of having to accommodate restrictions.  To boot, we’re now coming to a place where “living with COVID” is likely to be our norm until a response to eliminate the menace is available.  Even then, success is dependent upon acceptance.

In the meantime, our health care system and all who work within or along side it is frequently overwhelmed by the “pandemic of the unvaccinated.”  Some of us are unable to access the health care we should have or could have otherwise, despite the warnings from our hospitals not to ignore potential emergencies.  All the same, many routine and elective procedures and services are often delayed or unavailable.

Protestors, antivaxxers, anti-maskers, and the angry apostles of disinformation and misinformation are costing us all and unnecessarily prolonging this crisis.

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This brief aside from the continuing prison commentary cites harm this canker is inflicting upon the community mirrors the injury it exacts on inmates in our federal prisons.  For all the criticism due Correctional Service of Canada elsewhere, its response to the COVID pandemic is appropriate and reasonable. 

Vaccinated and unvaccinated inmates mingle in the congregate settings of prison populations and calls for strict vigilance to prevent outbreaks.  In the process though, offenders we expect to be prepared for an eventual safe re-entry into society are in a partial limbo because protestors are contributing to higher infection rates in the community, which in turn warrants the continuing restrictions inside the walls. 

CSC programs are running, but all “extra-curricular” initiatives that depend on community volunteer participation are suspended.  With limited substantive rehabilitative options, every opportunity inmates have for some constructive occupation is good for them in the instant and for the community in the long run.

What about in-person visits from family and friends?   Mask mandates are in place for both visitors and inmates in the visiting room of course, and ‘social distancing’ is reinforced by barriers.  No physical contact is possible.  The three-day Private Family Visit (PFV) program resumed for qualified inmates and approved guests, but even there, inmates are required to isolate for 14 days following a PFV.  Unvaccinated inmates are required to isolate for 28 days, perhaps a CSC nod to encourage vaccine compliance.  No matter.  Getting close to the people who are important to the lives of offenders, and are an assumed part of the rehabilitation process, is COVID inhibited.

This strange anomaly where a few people are intentionally denying established COVID -19 science and protesting in support of “alternative facts” without any credible foundation, is affecting the best interests even of our prison inmates.  Compassion for criminals is not in the equation here, but community safety should be a concern when offenders are released with less preparation than we expect.

SIMPLE MESSAGE:  GET SHOT OR STAY HOME!