XBB Booster Officially Mandatory at Au Chateau
Nursing home becomes first in the province to force seasonal booster shots.
Yesterday, the Board of Management of Au Chateau voted 4-2 to adopt a new COVID-19 vaccination policy for staff and volunteers which will force them to take the recently recommended XBB.1.5 COVID booster shot.
The new policy hereby requires all staff to have the “current recommended/approved vaccine/booster from the Ministry of Health.” (the previous policy did not require “recommended shots” and specified 2 + 1 shots)
Last month I had shared an email between the Chair of Au Chateau and it’s Director (Jacques Dupuis) stating that they would like to force staff to have the XBB.1.5 booster “by late fall”.
This newest policy gives the organization the tools to do so. The latest move is likely to spark a lot of concern from existing staff. Like many Canadians, some of them have expressed to me that they have no plans on getting the XBB.1.5 and that they would seek other employment if this policy was approved.
The current Ministry of Health recommendation is that all adults receive the newest XBB.1.5 booster regardless of any prior vaccinations. This is because experts unanimously agree that any immunity conveyed from the original COVID shots in 2021 and 2022 has long waned. This means all employees of Au Chateau will have to get the latest booster. The policy specifies that staff who do not comply with these rules are subject to “discipline up to and including dismissal”. The policy does not differentiate between an individual who took the original COVID shots or not.
This month, Au Chateau’s neighbour and biggest competitor on the labour market, the West Nipissing General Hospital decided to go a different route. Instead of requiring their staff to take the XBB.1.5, they have scrapped their policy altogether. Many health organizations across the country have done so. This is in line with the Ministry’s recommendations to end all mandatory COVID vaccination rules in hospitals and LTC homes (while still encouraging staff to get the shots).
Along with board chair Daniel Gagne, West Nipissing’s deputy mayor, Jamie Restoule (who is also the Chair of the hospital board) and Lavigne Councillor Jerome Courchesne also voted to approve this new policy. I asked Mr. Restoule and Mr. Courshesne for a comment on the matter, but as of writing, they have not responded.
Five days ago I reached out to the Director and the Board Chair about this story and have followed up since. But I have not received any comment or correction.
Union Not Consulted
The Director made no mention at the meeting yesterday about consulting the staff union on this important change. I reached out multiple times to CUPE 896 (which represents most Au Chateau employees) for comments. Although they have acknowledged receiving my requests, they have not commented on the matter.
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Personally I think Au Chateau board is demonstrating several behaviour styles which can be comparable to high control groups (also known as cults). In such groups you are alienated from family and friends, threatened with loss of socio/economic livelihood and guilted or defamed for your own thinking and choices. Seems this is exactly what’s happening there. Members of the community and staff were dismissed and separated from loved ones during plandemic. Staff were let go without pay. And cannot return. Now it’s happening again. I shake my head and am VERY happy I no longer work in this toxic environment. My personal opinion. I’ve studied cults on my own time and can see many other behaviours displayed but suffice it to say there is such close correlation it’s scary. The behaviours of the leaders of this establishment are all about control and conformity NOT empathic caring. Sorry. Vent over. 😮💨
Oh one last thought. I can personally relate to this....No one EVER joins a cult. One joins a group with good intentions such as caring for others or improving one’s life. Then the gradual erosion of confidence, choice and truth takes you to a place where you no longer have anything left. And people STAY because they feel they have no choice. They stay to survive. They stay.............