somehow I feel like my rights have been violated

[nancy2394]

I know we've already had the whole discussion on the h1n1 vaccine. I was one of the ones who was choosing not to get it because I honestly feel it's a waste of time. And I don't like the idea of putting something into my body that I don't necessarily feel is safe. I feel as though it should be MY choice whether to get that vaccine or not.

With that being said... my work has sent this memo out telling everyone that if you refuse the vaccine that starting november 9th, you had to wear a duck bill mask (horribly uncomfortable and hard to breathe in mask) whenever you have any patient contact. So, basically that means I would have to wear that stupid mask from the time I clocked in to the time I left with the exception of when I used the restroom or went to the lounge for my break.

They claim they are not forcing you to get the vaccine, when essentially they are making it nearly impossible to refuse it because no one could work a 12 hour shift wearing that horrible mask. So, you basically have 3 choices... get the vaccine, wear a mask or don't come to work until flu season is over which is in april. No one will have their job held for them for that long and who could afford to even be out of work that long to begin with.

I got the stupid vaccine with great reluctance. I put all over my consent form that the ONLY reason I was receiving the vaccine was because I felt like I was being forced into it because the alternative they had was not reasonable.

I know it probably sounds silly, but I feel like my rights have been violated somehow

[dogsarebetter]

I understand why you feel violated. but I am sure they are just trying to do what they think is in everyone's best interest

[ACooper]

They DID give you a choice, even if you don't like the alternative, it's a choice. I understand how you feel, but MOST jobs require things we don't like.

Kevin has to wear safety glasses when he goes out on his line. It's very annoying since he wears prescription glasses........so he has a choice of prescription safeties or put the big clunky ones over his glasses. There is really no dangers, and there has NEVER been a case of eye injury even when safety glasses weren't required..........it's an insurance issue

And I will add as a potential patient, I don't find that unreasonable in the least. I don't want you coming to examine ME right after you've been with an H1N1 patient without taking all the precautions you could take.

[nancy2394]

Originally Posted by ACooper

They DID give you a choice, even if you don't like the alternative, it's a choice. I understand how you feel, but MOST jobs require things we don't like.

Kevin has to wear safety glasses when he goes out on his line. It's very annoying since he wears prescription glasses........so he has a choice of prescription safeties or put the big clunky ones over his glasses. There is really no dangers, and there has NEVER been a case of eye injury even when safety glasses weren't required..........it's an insurance issue

And I will add as a potential patient, I don't find that unreasonable in the least. I don't want you coming to examine ME right after you've been with an H1N1 patient without taking all the precautions you could take.

I work in a clean unit that is behind locked doors... we don't have any infectious patients on our floor. And it is unreasonable to expect someone to wear a mask for 12 hours. Have you ever worn one? They are not easy to breathe in for an hour let alone 12 hours. They aren't technically forcing us, but they also know that they have our arms twisted because we won't want to wear the mask. Patients are just as much at risk for coming in contact with this supposed pandemic flu in walmart. I still think this whole swine flu is being blown so far out of proportion. But that's just my opinion. If they really want to decrease the amount of exposure at hospitals, they need to decrease the amount of visitors that come in all day and night long.

And I know we all have to do things at work we might not like, but getting injected with something is far different than wearing a pair of safety goggles.

[release the hounds]

They were violated, I would have worn the mask.

This is what happens when you allow big business to influence public policy. Just wait, soon enough if you want to be a teller at a bank, you'll be required to have the full season's set of shots. Flip burgers and BK? need a flu shot, want to work at a retail store? you'll be required to get a shot to "protect" the customers.

If's a ****ing sham, probably one of the biggest in the History of mankind.

[bubbatd]

I can understand the policy with working in ICU ......still no one wants to be told .

[ACooper]

Originally Posted by nancy2394

I work in a clean unit that is behind locked doors... we don't have any infectious patients on our floor. And it is unreasonable to expect someone to wear a mask for 12 hours. Have you ever worn one? They are not easy to breathe in for an hour let alone 12 hours. They aren't technically forcing us, but they also know that they have our arms twisted because we won't want to wear the mask. Patients are just as much at risk for coming in contact with this supposed pandemic flu in walmart. I still think this whole swine flu is being blown so far out of proportion. But that's just my opinion. If they really want to decrease the amount of exposure at hospitals, they need to decrease the amount of visitors that come in all day and night long.

And I know we all have to do things at work we might not like, but getting injected with something is far different than wearing a pair of safety goggles.

I don't disagree that this flu is being blown out of proportions..........it's my opinion too. And yes, we could come into contact with it ANYWHERE we go, school, work, restaurant. But my point was, you are a health care worker and should take all the precautions you can to NOT get ill yourself and not pass it on to others who AREN'T sick.

And yes, safety goggles aren't the same as getting injected........you could have chosen the mask no matter how annoying. Do I think that would be extreme? Yes I do, but that was the choice you were offered. JMO.

When my son worked at BK he was given the choice of hair cut or hair net...........he chose the annoying and ridiculous looking hair net so he could keep his hair. At least they gave him the choice no matter if it wasn't the SAME choice they give the girls. They can choose a pony tail or hair cut..........now THAT wasn't fair, but he dealt with it.

[nancy2394]

Believe me, if I thought I could handle wearing a mask that many hours, I most definately would have refused the vaccine. But I have to wear a simple standard mask in the OR and I only have it on for about a half hour or so and in that short time it makes my nose run and my face sweat, and it's awful to rebreathe your hot breath back in.

If I am sick, I don't come to work.. simple as that. What's to say I'm not walking down the hallway and a visitor who has the swine flu coughs in my direction and their little droplets land on the front of my scrubs without my knowing it. It's not like I can go whip out another set of scrubs to change into, and I don't carry an extra pair with me.

If people would use commone sense and good handwashing... the risk would be far less. I don't condemn people for getting the vaccine if that's what they chose to do. I am just ticked that I felt like I was backed into a corner and really didn't have that much of a choice. It's my body, I should get to say what goes into it... not my employer.

[iwantmypup]

Hmm, I could understand why you feel violated, but being a patient at a hospital recently, it did make me feel safer that all the nurses and staff got the shot, especially since I was taken out of isolation, so they don't need to wear the full gown and mask with me.

[release the hounds]

they don't all get the shot, in fact 70% of MD's and60% of health care workers in general do NOT get flu shots. Even in the face of making things mandatory, giving free mini vacations, extra paid sick days, etc to entice them to get the shots every year, most still don't.

and you realize the "immunity" and I do use that term loosely, from a flu shot only provides an antibody repsonse, not full immunity, for a year maybe 2 years after. So in year 3 when the exact same virus comes around again, guess who needs another shot?

where as those that are exposed naturally will be protected from that and similiar strains for 30 years or more. How people can put so much faith in a money making shot i'll never understand.