Alden: Vaccine mandate targets Jamaicans
(CNS): Former premier Alden McLaughlin has accused government of targeting poor, mostly Jamaican work permit holders with the amendment bills for the mandatory vaccination against COVID-19. When he spoke during the parliamentary debate Monday, he queried why the government was pursuing such “draconian measures”, given the high vaccination rate and the divisive nature of the proposed laws. The opposition member for Red Bay said PACT’s handling of the crisis reminded him of Alice in Wonderland, as he warned that the laws would be challenged in court.
Talking on the first of three bills PACT brought to the Parliament today, McLaughlin raised a number of concerns that echo the current populist sentiment about vaccine mandates. Following a protest outside the House of Parliament before proceedings began, many of the demonstrators were also present in the gallery when McLaughlin stood to deliver his first major address in the LA since the PPM lost the election.
He said that while he fully supported the vaccination programme and believed it was the only way that life would return to normal, he did not agree with the idea of forcing shots on anyone. Despite claiming to be a strong advocate of the vaccine, he outlined what he said were its limitations and the changing science, and raised questions about the long-term effect of the shots.
McLaughlin said it was almost certain that the constitutionality of this mandate will be challenged immediately for a number of reasons.
He said it would offer no further benefit, given that Cayman already has one of the best vaccination rates in the world, which was sufficient to protect the health system from being overwhelmed by sick people, putting lives at risk. He also questioned the necessity to mandate the vaccine when, he claimed, it does not prevent people from acquiring or transmitting the virus and given that we still don’t know the long-term impact.
“Why are we going to these draconian measures? What are we trying to achieve except to target some of the poorest… and some of… well I’m trying to stay away from this, but let me just say it — the Jamaicans. We know that this is the largest single demographic that are not taking the vaccine,” McLaughlin stated.
He also read from a legal letter by attorneys representing the Christian association that plans to challenge the laws that actually suggests the vaccine might be dangerous. McLaughlin said that if he was premier, he would not proceed with the legislation if he was confronted with the position outlined by the local law firm KSG.
He said there was no reasonable justification for this legislation, as he asked why government was planning to drag people kicking and screaming to get the vaccine, as all the science can offer at the moment is that it can prevent people from getting very sick but not from getting sick. He questioned where the public health carve out could be in the face of the many challenges a vaccine mandate presents for human rights.
As he presented the first of the government’s bills on Monday, Deputy Premier Chris Saunders spoke briefly, stating that government did not come to the decision to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for permit holders lightly, but it had taken advice and the main goal was to keep the community safe.
When he spoke on the bill to amend the Customs and Border Control Law, Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart questioned the additional parts of the bill that affect long-term residents and the non-Caymanian dependents of Caymanians.
McTaggart also questioned the wisdom of extending the mandate to work permit holders already here. He suggested that if government must mandate vaccines, it should confine itself to imposing the mandate on new permit holders entering the country and not renewals.
The debate continues on CIGTV see the live-stream below (See McLaughlin’s contribution begin at around 2:15:15):
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Are there any statistics to back up these claims? It would be great to see a break down of the percentages of people who have taken the vaccine. Everyone jumping on the bandwagon of shaming and blaming but where are the facts? Just because someone said so? I have never seen a nation so against another and the funny thing is that they are related no matter how they hide it. No matter what happens in Cayman you can be sure Jamaica name going to call. So guess what all the success here, Jamaicans! Seriously though let’s know the statistics, it may surprise everyone. Also if everyone gets vaccinated except Caymanians who due to not being forced think it unnecessary, who going to get sick and die? Listen if you on work permit and can take the vaccine, if not go home. No fight with anyone to stay in their country. At the end of the day, they going to suffer the consequences. Although even if every Jamaican left and something negative happened. We would still get blamed😃. The love hate relationship will never end. Facts people let’s get the facts!!!
Alden you looking Jamaican votes or wha?
9.01am Yes because they control more votes thesd days.
This some bull at my work expats 100% vaccinated both WPH and PR, Caymanian 25% vaccinated … who really not taking de vaccine … Mandate Vaccine For Caymanians Too
Politicising of protection of public health is not good for the country.
USA asks for our children going to colleges for certificates for various vaccines. If not they have to get it there in the interest of all students. Same thing here.
If vaccination is descriminatory ,testing for hiv is descriminatory.
Does any polititian wishes to go to super market cashier who says not vaccinated?
Human rights of individuals will end at my door step.
We r not forcing them. If they want job they have to adher to some guidelines be it Jamaicans or Caymanians.
Very true but I’d have a hard time catching HIV whilst rubbing shoulders with someone over the fresh fruit counter in Fosters….
Alden staying classy, I see
Once people compare the number of Jamaicans on work permits with the number of vaccination holdouts, you will understand why the borders are still closed.
the difference between as Alden puts it “vaccine=still sick, non-vaccine=very sick”
Cost of vaccine= $100
Cost of 1 week on a respirator and then long term physiotherapy to learn to walk again= over $300,000.
Cost of Long Covid, for those that very sick= unknown, but will be multiple millions in the years to come
I know Alden has a track record for wasting money, appears even in opposition he wants to waste more.
WHAT A SHAMEFUL THING TO DO TO OTHER PEOPLE. Nobody should be forced or pressured to take an experimental vaccine.
*CNS: An experimental vaccine is one that has not gone through clinical trials and authorization or approval processes, which all the main vaccines have. Pfizer has received full approval from the FDA and the UK regulator.
As an unvaxxed Caymanian I am very disappointed the ruling party has descended so low. The same way they will treat others, is the same way they will treat their own … all for the “common good” excuse. This is not a good precedent, a blatant disregard as well for the Rights mentioned in our Constitution.
Fully approved with hundreds of millions served. Safer than birth control, another innovation we might wish this crowd believed in.
No one is forcing anyone to get a shot. They are work permit holder who choose to come here. Don’t want the shot, no problem, leave.
CNS, Please……
‼️ From Pfizer.com
THE FOUR PHASES OF CLINICAL TRIALS.
Phase1: one week to several months
Phase2: up to 2 years
Phase3: 1 to 4 years
Phase4: over a year
https://www.pfizer.com/science/clinical-trials/guide-to-clinical-trials/phases
CNS: If you’re going to waste everyone’s time with anti-vax BS, at least come up with a recent conspiracy theory and not regurgitate misinformation that was put to bed 18 months ago for anyone who was paying even scant attention. Take the time to actually read and absorb this: Here’s how the vaccines were developed so fast
A misleading statement, Cns. Pfizer shots that is being distributed around the world, is still experimental. FDA has not approved these shots. And no one should be mandated to get it.
CNS: Hopefully, this press release from the FDA will make it clear – FDA Approves First COVID-19 Vaccine
If that’s a bit wordy, try this from the BBC – Pfizer becomes first Covid vaccine to gain full FDA approval
If you have been told that the Pfizer vaccine that we have is different from the one that has been approved by the FDA, you have been lied to.
FoxNews junkie alert!