‘It doesn’t have to be this way’: Morden mayor frustrated with rising COVID-19 cases, low vaccine uptake

As COVID-19 circumstances proceed to rise in Manitoba, The Mayor of Morden is talking out towards those that refuse to get vaccinated, as a result of he says individuals who gained’t get the shot are selecting to put their very own desires earlier than the well being and security of others and the well being and security of youngsters.

“If there are folks that don’t need to get vaccinated and that call wouldn’t have an effect on different folks then go proper forward, go forward and get sick and perhaps lose your life if that’s what you need to do,” a frustrated Morden Mayor Brandon Burley stated on Wednesday.

“But it’s greater than about what folks need to do individually, it downloads to such an enormous diploma on different folks and different programs. It impacts our health-care programs, it impacts our college programs and it impacts so many others.”

Burley stated his frustration was excessive this week after he obtained a number of e-mail messages from his kids’s Morden-based faculty and college division on Monday about college students who have been in shut contact with two of his daughters testing constructive for COVID-19.

“I obtain an e-mail anytime somebody in considered one of my daughter’s lessons has a constructive case and at one level on Monday the emails have been coming in so quick that I believed one thing was improper with my e-mail server,” Burley stated.

He stated he has additionally spoken to many who work within the faculty system in his space that have advised him confidentially that kids are recurrently coming to Morden-based faculties with COVID-19 signs and being despatched dwelling.

“I do know that there are children which can be coming in coughing and wheezing and exhibiting all of the signs and the academics are those saying ‘you may’t be right here, you want to go dwelling.’

“And I give the colleges and the college board an entire lot of credit score as a result of they’re doing a very good job of sending children dwelling who’re sick and never wavering from that.”

Burley, who has been the mayor of Morden for about three years, has been actively urging Morden residents to get vaccinated towards COVID-19 and he stated he has misplaced lifelong relationships locally due to his stance on vaccines.

“This isn’t a preferred message to be standing up for personally and so far as I do know my spouse and I are the one ones in both of our households who’re vaccinated,” Burley stated. “My personal sister was in an anti-vaccine parade that got here proper by my home, in order that exhibits how divided it has develop into.

“And there are associates I have met up with for drinks for years and I doubt we’ll ever get collectively once more and it’s not that I’m not keen however I’m simply satisfied it’s not going to occur as a result of the divide has simply develop into too sturdy.”

Burley stated he’s additionally frustrated by “antagonists” in his and neighbouring communities who’re actively pushing for folks not to get vaccinated and generally doing it in methods meant to intimidate others.

“It’s irritating as a result of typically if you get a few of these folks alone they’re keen to pay attention, however sadly there are folks of their different ear who’re a lot louder.”

Manitoba introduced 143 new constructive COVID-19 circumstances within the province on Wednesday, and 66 of these circumstances have been out of the province’s Southern Health area the place Morden is situated, and which has a decrease vaccination uptake than the provincial common.

According to Burley the city of Morden has an roughly 71% vaccine uptake, which is larger than some neighbouring communities together with the city of Winkler and the RM of Stanley, however he stated that uptake quantity in Morden is not any trigger for celebration and he worries about what’s coming this winter.

“We’ve bought quite a lot of work to do right here, and it’s irritating since you nonetheless see these case numbers rising,” Burley stated.

“It’s irritating as a result of it doesn’t have to be this method.”

The Winnipeg Sun reached out to the Morden-based Western School Division for remark, however thus far have not obtained a response.

— Dave Baxter is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Winnipeg Sun. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.