by Linda Straker
- SGU School of Arts and Sciences students to protest on Friday, 23 April
- Same day as SGU Vaccination Day in partnership with Ministry of Health
- On-campus in-person classes return for August 2021 semester
- SGU statement confirmed online learning alternative
School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) students at St George’s University (SGU) are planning a protest at the main entrance of the campus, to formally object to the University’s decision that all students, faculty, staff and vendors must be vaccinated with the Covid-19 vaccine to be on the compound as it prepares for reopening the campus for in-person classes in August.
Scheduled for Friday, 23 April, the protest is on the same day that the University has designated as Vaccination Day. “Objectives: Right to choose to be vaccinated; Choice of continued online studies; Involvement in decision making as it relates to returning to campus,” read the flyers informing students about the protest which will be a mix of silence and sporadic chants from 9 to 10 am.
A letter sent from Richard Liebowitz MD, Vice-Chancellor to the SGU community, explained that Vaccination Day is in partnership with the Ministry of Health. “Vaccines are the most effective way to safeguard the health of our campus community, our families, and the community at large. It is important that our university community gets vaccinated to help ensure a safe return to normal campus life.”
Vaccination Day will be from 9 am to 2 pm for all faculty, staff, and students in Grenada. AstraZeneca vaccines will be provided by the Ministry, and it is free of charge for everyone.
On 15 April, the University announced that its campus will be reopening for in-person classes for the August 2021 semester for all students in the Schools of Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Arts and Sciences, and Graduate Studies.
The statement confirming the reopening explained that the leadership of SGU considered all aspects of a safe return, placing the health and safety of students, faculty and staff on campus, and that of the Grenada community as a priority.
“As part of our plan for a safe return to campus life, Covid-19 vaccinations will be required for all students, faculty, staff, and administrators, vendors and visitors on campus. Many universities around the world are requiring Covid-19 vaccination as part of their return strategies for the Fall term,” read the statement.
“Although our goal is to return all students to in-person learning as quickly as possible, we will be reasonable in our consideration of exceptions to in-person education and use of online education for the August 2021 term.” The statement confirmed an alternative to attending classes will be the continuation of online learning.
The Grenada Technical and Allied Workers Union (GTAWU) which is the trade union representing the workers is yet to issue a statement about the mandatory vaccination for staff. Telephone calls to President General Andre Lewis went unanswered.
Grenada began its Covid-19 vaccination programme on 12 February. As of 21 April, the first dose of the vaccine has been received by 11,689 people.
Interesting that none of the students who are against the vaccination were even interviewed to balance out the article. Mainstream media continues to push opinions as news.
So did the protest happen?
I admit. I have mixed views about whether the vaccine should be made mandatory or not. On the pro-vaccination side, the vaccines are the only things that we have to fight the virus more effectively. So a relatively “all inclusive” space will definitely benefit from such a comprehensive policy.
On the anti-vaccine side, it is axiomatic that 1) the vaccines are at early stages of development and we are likely to see more fallout and risks from their usage before they actually become mostly risk-free – and the risks are real and they should worry us a lot; 2) again, being vaccinated is not picture perfect – vaccines can only protect some of us but not all of us, 3) nothing is being done to actually raise the level of healthiness across our society i.e. wellness living – especially in the poor parts of Grenada. As a respected medical school of education, such a commitment should be “up front and centre” of the university’s operational mandate.
My “outside” view is that it would be much better if SGU enthusiastically promotes healthy living to also minimise the inevitable fallout that will occur – vaccine or no vaccine. But if the school wants to insist on full vaccination, providing that their position is within the limits of Grenadian law, then they can uphold their right to do so. Plain and simple.
Again I am very impressed with your responses. We would not know the true benefits or risks until REAL WORLD data. That is the same for any other vaccine or drug that gets approved for usage. It is hard to mandate vaccinations as people should have a choice. But it also behooves any employer protecting their business. Be that as it may, I fully support vaccinations. Grenada has been saved so far from this pandemic. However, I have seen and treated several people with COVID-19 and experieced the death/devastation of this deadly virus. We , currently have no choice. VACCINATE!!
This mandatory vaccination of people is not right, it goes against our God given rights and the human rights convention.
As the largest producer of U.S. doctors, SGU is now guaranteeing that all their graduates are on one side of this argument. Many serious doctors and researchers raising concerns about these specific vaccines, why is a Medical School taking such a stance?
Ignore these antivaxxers. Kesri Johnson and Jen Jen have spouted this rubbish before.
Wrong…I am not an AntiVaxxer. However, I am not stupid enough to inject experimental drugs that have been exempted from basic safety trials and fast tracked….
Also…. given Immunity from prosecution from medical malpractice and deaths.
Even if any of these Vaccine are safe, because they only provide selective Antibodies for 10-16 weeks on average, I would instead, happily choose to boost my God given Natural Immunity which gives a more comprehensive holistic Immunity.
Its ironic that the Russians with Sputnik Coronavirus based vaccine and the Chinese with SarsCov2 based vaccine, that have actually produced anything like a traditional Vaccine.
In the Western countries,cbig Pharma block, HCQ and Ivernectin to push their drug and with bootlicking politicians are make Billions.
So get back to me when you have objective data for these MNRA Frankenstein experimentals you insist are safe.
Good for you. Well said
So SGU want to use its Students and Staff as Guinea pigs. As a Medical University one would think they would bother to read the amply medical research that show there is a much more elevayed risk with these never been tried before MNRA Experimental vaccines. More of the blind leading the blind. Take your Experimental Vax and stick it!
Yes let them take it for all of us who refuse to be guinea pigs
You need to get educated. Somehow you think the vaccine is a guarantee against getting covid. IT IS NOT. Go get the evidence that you can still catch covid after being vaccinated, even with the second shot, and you can still transmit it. You are supposed to get less reaction and less likelihood of being hospitalized and die with the vaccine BUT it DOES NOT give you IMMUNITY. There seems to be a huge misunderstanding on the island. NOT everyone can take the vaccine either depending upon allergic reactions and immune disorders. The government and doctors may push for you to get vaccinated but this is an individual choice. The vaccine does not protect against catching covid just that you shouldn’t die from it .
Many countries have stopped using AstraZeneca and now Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Caribbean countries cannot support the transporation of the Phizer vaccine and perhaps not even the Moderna one as both require either freezing at extreme temperatures or refrigeration. Let every person research the vaccines for themselves and make their own decisions.
Even AFTER VACCINATION you MUST continue to wear masks, wash hands, socially distance and protect yourself against catching covid while your body builds antibodies to the disease for at least 21 days post vaccination. Then wait for your second shot and do the same still because not everyone will be vaccinated.
Research each company online, or use the Govt of Canada information or CDC in the USA or whatever scientific body you trust to give you good information.
Good for you! In light of everything that is going on, requiring a mandatory vaccination is unconscionable.