Mac’s Musings: Anti-vaxxers said to be no shows

Claude McIntosh ~ Mac's Musings

Syd Gardiner, chair of the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) board, won’t say publicly what he thinks of anti-vaxxers who, he says, have tried to throw a monkey wrench into the local COVID-19 vaccination program.

The veteran city councillor said tracking undertaken by the EOHU indicates that anti-vaxxers failed to show for 200 appointments they booked at health unit vaccination clinics. It was, in Gardiner’s estimation, a deliberate attempt by a small group to slow down the vaccination program that they oppose.

Anti-vaxxers, many of whom double as anti-maskers, believe that not just COVID-19 vaccines but all vaccines are a health threat, despite overwhelming science showing vaccines have saved millions of lives. On the extreme end, there are those who still claim COVID-19 is a hoax. They also believe that Bill Gates is behind the “hoax”, the moon landing was staged, 9/11 was an inside job and the G5 network is spreading the virus. Oh yes. And Elvis is still alive.

Just a thought: If we had a vaccine to cure cancer would they be opposed to taking it?

It is interesting to note that Donald Trump and his family members were quietly vaccinated prior to leaving the White House. Anti-vaxxers worship at the Trump altar of untruths.

It is no coincidence that the number of active cases has plunged as vaccination rates in the EOHU region climbs. As of Monday, there were 241,000 first and second doses administered, a 110,000 increase from early June. Almost 98% of 60 and over residents have had at least one dose.

Cornwall has had one active case reported in the last month. The EOHU region was down to just four cases on Monday, three in the Alfred area. Cornwall has had 22 COVID-19 related deaths, the last in April. Cornwall Community Hospital on the brink of being over-run in early May, doesn’t have a single patient with COVID-19.

The proverbial light at the end of the dark tunnel talked about in the spring is poking through the darkness. And its riding the vaccination rails.

LOOKING BACK – 1959

Seventy years after he was hired by the weekly Cornwall Standard, George Wilson in July 1959 was still on the job churning out his hand-written copy for the daily Standard-Freeholder.

He started on July 29, 1889.

It was believed that he was the longest-serving newsman in the country.

The 86-year-old Wilson served as district editor writting a popular “Down the Lane” column and overseeing a stable of 125 rural correspondents spread throughout the United Counties each mailing in hand-written social notes from their neck of the woods.
Wilson never mastered what he called “those machines.” Instead of using a typewriter, he wrote his stories – in clear, legible script – by hand.

The veteran newshound never drove a car. He made his rounds around town on a bicycle.

To mark the anniversary, Wilson was presented with a gold watch by Ken Thomson, president of Thomson Newspapers Ltd.

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The federal government announced in July 1959 that Cornwall would get a deep water port, something Stormont MP Grant Campbell had pursued with great vigour.

The feds said a site on Lake St. Lawrence just west of the dyke was preferred over two other proposed sites. A harbour near Grey’s Creek would require millions of dollars worth of dredging, while the river current was too swift for a site south of Pitt Street.

The harbour, the feds said, would be developed as demand for the port increased.

The Lake St. Lawrence harbour idea was abandoned the next year for the present east Cornwall site.

JULY 1959 – The first outdoor teen rock and roll dance was held at the Athletic Grounds. Those attending were required to wear the “appropiate” clothing – neatly pressed slacks and sports shirts for the boys and skirts and dresses for the girls. No blue jeans, black jackets or shorts. … City council approved the licensing of private nursing homes to help ease the bed shortage at Cornwall General and Hotel Dieu hospitals. Persons not requiring hospital care would be moved to the nursing homes. … Council passed a bylaw that limited the number of gas stations in the city to 65. … Ontario beer prices increased to 15 cents for a glass of draught and $3.75 for a case of 24. … Five local youths were fined $5 each after pleading guilty to theft of a Union Jack flag from a hotel lobby. They also were charged with desecreation of the flag. … Members of the Textile Workers Union of American (TWUA) were given an across-the-board increase of five cents an hour in a new one-year contract. The new basic hourly day rate was $1.66. The rate for tradesmen went to $2.16 an hour. … The Jade Garden Restaurant on Second Street East was damaged by fire that started in an overheated stove pipe in the kitchen and spread to upstrairs apartments. … A consultant’s report said the city’s tax collection system improved with the decision to implement an instalment payment plan. Tax arrears had been reduced to 245 with 80 of them more than three years overdue. …. Cornwall Emards of the Quebec Rugy Football Union (QRFU) and Ottawa Rough Riders signed a working agreement. The Riders agreed to supply the football team with a full-time coach and some equipment. … Patrol Sgt. Calvin Scott was tranferred to the Cornwall Police Department’s juvenile division as a detective sergeant. … A gas war in the city saw pump prices drop to 29.9 cents a gallon from a high of 44.9 cents. (Note: that’s gallons not litres!)

AROUND AND ABOUT – In case you were wondering, pump prices shot up to $1.50 in July 2005. … Freshly-minted mayor Glen Grant left town shortly after being sworn-in. A 10-day vacation in British Columbia was booked before the mayor gig came up. … Interesting that there are full-time unionized fire fighters who moonlight as part-time rural fire fighters while opposing any suggestion that municipal departments cut costs by employing a mix of full-time and part-timers.

TRIVIA ANSWER The North End Social Club was formed in 1947.

TRIVIA Cornwall has several designated heritage properties with architectural or historical value or interest. Which of these five is not on the list: 1) Cline House, 208 Second St. E.; 2) Chesley’s Inn, 40 First St. W.; 3)Port Theatre, 132 Montreal Rd.; 4) House of Refuge, 201 Eleventh St. E.; 5) Old Baptist Church, 130 Sydney St.

QUOTED – “Giving up smoking is the easiest thing to do. I know, because I’ve done it several times.” – Mark Twain

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