EDWINA BARTHOLOMEW

Forget freedom freed freak-outs, f k t it’s it’ our business b i to take a jab in the right direction for social responsibility

I received a ‘you are a bad parent’ letter in the mail this week. It was a reminder from Medicare that my daughter was overdue for her 18month-old vaccines. How ironic that we talk about vaccines every day and yet I completely forgot to book her in for these important, life-saving jabs.

I wasn’t offended by the letter. I wasn’t put-out that the government insists I get my daughter vaccinated. It didn’t impinge on my freedoms or make me outraged that she was being ‘segregated’ from other children.

I was just grateful the government reminded a busy, forgetful, somewhat responsible mum that I

needed to get to the doctor ASAP.

Vaccine chat has now shifted from supply and demand to mandatory requirements for business and industry. Qantas was the first to act, making vaccines mandatory for its 22,000 employees, many of whom have been hit hard by the pandemic. Cabin crew, pilots and airport workers will need be vaccinated by November 15, the rest by March.

My workplace, Channel Seven, made headlines this week with vaccine requirements for some contact staff. When we had a Covid scare in the Sunrise studio, forcing a dozen staff into self isolation including

yours truly, the issue escalated. We have no option to work remotely. We also have no option to socially distance from colleagues, particularly in makeup, hair and audio.

Maybe you think that is selfish; a sign of privilege? Certainly getting glammed up for work each morning is hardly relatable but what is common to all of us is our current dilemma.

Should vaccines be mandatory to go about our daily life? Every business in Australia is having to answer that question, without much guidance from state or federal governments. Restaurants, bars, gyms, hotels, factories, casinos are all having to

take a stance on unvaccinated patrons, and the vaccinated majority will also make a choice about where they work and play.

Personally, I believe it’s our social responsibility to protect each other by getting vaccinated. Who is recovering from cancer in your workplace? Who is going home to vulnerable children or parents? Who has an auto-immune condition? For those people, contracting Covid can be absolutely devastating.

Today, I’ll take my daughter to get her injections. I won’t give it a second thought. It’s not only my legal obligation, it’s the right thing to do.