Harry McCathie
Five years ago, Mary (not her real name) made the decision to move into a retirement village. It proved to be a good decision as in the intervening years her health declined and she suffered a bad fall. The early Covid years were difficult with the restrictions imposed on visitors and village activities, yet it was the same for all residents.
In November last year, Mary turned 91. She and her family were not keen on the Pfizer vaccine as it was known that it could cause her adverse reactions given her previous medical history. She obtained a letter of explanation from her doctor advising that the Pfizer vaccine was not suitable for Mary and she was advised not to have it. Mary provided the letter to her village manager.
Over the following months, Mary and the other residents’ lives continued as normal except for June (not her real name) who at age 93 fell ill and was moved to the village hospital. Unfortunately, June’s condition was terminal and she was given just days to live. Of course, her daughter wished to visit but was denied entry to the hospital despite being fully vaccinated. Apparently, the patients in the hospital had only recently received their boosters and as such visitors were to be barred from entry for fourteen days in order to give time for the vaccine to become effective. One could probably ask just how the elderly and sick could give fully informed consent to vaccination?
For days June’s daughter requested access to her dying mother but was refused. Ironically the hospital staff could come and go as they pleased. Maybe Covid can differentiate between visitors and staff. Eventually, access was granted but only on the condition that full PPE was worn. June died a few days later.
Then came the Traffic Light system and Mary became the only village resident without a vaccine pass. Yes, the village had decided to require vaccine passes. As a result, Mary was banished to her room. She currently is not allowed to attend morning or afternoon tea and has no access to the library. Nor is she allowed at social functions, although there was a small concession made. She was allowed to attend the Christmas Carols provided she sat outside by herself behind the glass doors. Of course, no family are allowed to visit unless they are vaccinated.
And so, what is Mary to do? She would like to move and yet to do so would leave her with too little to buy into another village given the 30% the village would take and not allowing for inflation. In any event, it is probable that most villages now require a pass. She is miserable. Should she take the Pfizer vaccine when her doctor has advised against it?
Now with a few cases of the cold (Omicron) in the community, things have changed somewhat in the village. Whilst morning and afternoon tea is still served and there is still afternoon cards, few attend.
Most residents despite being fully vaccinated are staying in their rooms.