Two-time heart transplant recipient Robbie Thompson has had a lifetime of dealing with adversity.
The COVID-19 pandemic is something completely different for the Courtenay, B.C. resident.
As an organ transplant recipient, Thompson is immuno-compromised. His compromised immune system is a byproduct of the medication he takes to stay alive. And when he reads or hears about rallies such as the protests organized throughout the province on Sept. 1, he finds it particularly upsetting.
| A large crowd of mostly unmasked protesters gathered at the B.C. Legislature to protest public health measures on Sept. 1. (Don Denton/VicNews)l |
含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檝e heard a lot of people speaking out against the vaccines, for a variety of reasons that are their own, and we all have our own opinions, and that in itself is fine,含羞草研究社� he said. 含羞草研究社淗owever, the (protests) that are taking place含羞草研究社� I feel that although it may be well-meaning, is also potentially very dangerous, not just for people like myself含羞草研究社� but people who are older, or medically unable to get the vaccine.
含羞草研究社淭he reason we commit to these vaccinations is not only to help ourselves, but also to help protect and better the lives of millions of other people across our community, the country, and the world at large.含羞草研究社�
Look at the bigger picture
He said that while he understands the frustration people have regarding the concept of mass vaccinations, he asks everyone to look at the larger picture.
含羞草研究社淲hen they talk about the tyranny of mass vaccinations, would they say that to somebody from India, where they had to burn bodies in the street because so many people had died? I understand the sentiment, and I wish to respect others含羞草研究社� opinions, but I feel that as a medically frail person, it feels a little disregarding of others and the situation at large. I don含羞草研究社檛 expect people to understand what I have been through, and I am not looking for pity. I just ask for empathy - asking others to protect those around them as well as themselves.
含羞草研究社淭here is a level where autonomy becomes destructive to everyone else, and I think that we can have a healthy balance between wanting that autonomy and respecting the livelihoods and the well-being of everyone else in our communities.含羞草研究社�
Thompson said his situation is precarious, in that he cannot be sure how his body would react to a COVID-19 infection.
含羞草研究社淭here are some cases that I have heard of in which (transplant recipients) have survived, but it含羞草研究社檚 really a dice roll as far as I am aware,含羞草研究社� he said. 含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 a little scary, because if someone coughs on me, I genuinely don含羞草研究社檛 know if that含羞草研究社檚 going to be the end of me. I含羞草研究社檝e had to deal with that my whole life but it含羞草研究社檚 a little heavier now. I hardly leave my house these days, because if I were to go and get groceries and someone coughs on me, that could be it.
含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 kind of like I am being forced to play Russian roulette, and everyone else has their finger on the trigger. People who refuse vaccines and refuse masks, they sometimes pull the trigger, and they sometimes load the bullets. It含羞草研究社檚 a bit of a dramatic metaphor but that含羞草研究社檚 what it can feel like.含羞草研究社�
Tina Robinson, manager of communications for BC Transplant, explained the efficacy of the COVID vaccines among transplant recipients may not be as high as with others, which is one reason transplant recipients must be extra cautious, even after being fully vaccinated.
含羞草研究社淭here is evidence that transplant recipients, who are immunosuppressed, have less immune response to the COVID-19 vaccines available in B.C.,含羞草研究社� she said.
terry.farrell@blackpress.ca
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