VID Statement on Vaccination Requirements
Several neighborhood businesses have window signs which thwart public health measures to contain the pandemic. They contend that the regulations infringe upon civil liberties and equate mask and vaccination requirements with biases. No one in a free society has the right to endanger others.
These businesses are contributing to the health crisis and risk spreading new variants. They are indirectly legitimizing the belligerent behavior of some patrons towards establishments following the rules. This has ramifications beyond public health. Workers at responsible businesses are being put in harm’s way and owners have difficulty staffing with economic consequences. Rules work only if everyone works together.
We do not take our stance lightly. Our club takes pride in supporting small businesses. However, it is better to help the community by giving free masks or a thank you for vaccination, rather than getting publicity for a harmful policy. If we stand silent and/or frequent these businesses knowing that we as individuals are vaccinated, then we prolong this crisis, and they may not understand that their actions have negative consequences. Therefore, our progressive democratic club is endorsing a policy to support only establishments dedicated to protecting all individuals by working to end this health crisis.
Village Independent Democrats
Susan RS Gottesman, PhD, MD.
This is a shortened version of the original letter.
I fully support Rocco’s RIGHT to do business as they see fit and appreciate their ANTI-FASCIST , fully democratic acceptance of a DIVERSE customer base. What i do not support however, is the Westview News CONSTANTLY using the paper for its own biased, one-way narrative on this (and oh so many other) subjects over and over and over. It is exhausting, borders on bullying, is DULL and is definately not coming from the free-thinking, open-minded , respectful nature of Village papers of the past. Get off your soapbox and start reporting on the real issues of our neighborhood! like out of control, aggressive homeless behaviour, violent attacks on tax-paying locals in bank lobby’s, grocery stores, street corners.. a police department that does absolutely nothing, an out of control garbage and litter problem. Wake up!