Remove ID badges and change out of scrubs when outside hospital workplaces.
That's the advice the The Hospital Employees’ Union is passing on the recommendation from local health authorities to remove ID badges and not to wear scrubs outside their workplaces in light of recent vaccine mandate protests. The advice was delivered to the union's more than 50,000 members on Saturday, Feb. 5 as protesters and counter protesters clashed in the streets of downtown Vancouver.
"Today, a convoy of trucks is planned for Vancouver to oppose public health measures that are helping prevent our hospitals from completely collapsing under the weight of this pandemic," the union's letter reads.
The letter goes on to say that after nearly two years on the front lines of this pandemic, hospital workers are exhausted. Despite this, many will be pulling extra shifts to make sure British Columbians have access to health care.
The letter addresses the original route the convoy had planned to take before it was blocked by counter protesters. The convoy was scheduled to drive by St. Paul’s Hospital, Mount Saint Joseph Hospital, and Vancouver General Hospital.
"Our members have been advised by the local health authority to remove their ID badges and to change out their scrubs when outside their hospital workplaces," the letter reads. "It will be disheartening for hospital workers to see their workplaces targeted to the extent that they are being asked to hide their identities for their own protection."
