The Swine Flu has left a trail of devastation across our society. It's responsible for runny noses, raging fevers, paranoia and in some cases even death. Sadly, this pandemic has most recently outstretched its tentacles and destroyed the careers of two senior health care workers in Calgary.
On Oct. 27, a member of the Calgary Flames medical team asked a health board worker whether an H1N1 vaccine clinic could be set up for the team and their families. That request was forwarded to a more senior AHS staff member, who in turn took it to a supervisor who approved.
A total of 150 flu shots were privately administered and everyone was supposed to live happily ever after.
Unfortunately, some weak-kneed, green eyed, bleeding heart got a hold of this information and decided this would be his or her platform to point out that these athletes had recieved preferential treatment.
The media blitz began against their beloved Flames. The same Flames that had brought them so much pride during their most recent playoff run that the women of Calgary felt obligated to disrobe after every game as they paraded down the Red Mile.
The heart of this debate lies within the eligibility requirements for the vaccine. Mostly everywhere in the world the flu shots are primarily available only to children older than six months and younger than five years, and pregnant women.
It appeared the Flames had jumped the queue and gained access to the swanky nightclub without having to wait in line like the rest of the pelicans. The 1989 Stanley Cup Champions were now being compared to the George Costanzas of the world, the kind of people who wouldn't hesitate to knock down women and step over children on the way out of a burning building.
What the general public fail to realize is that unlike other provinces, Alberta initially allowed anyone to line up for the shot. At the time the deal was struck between the Flames medical team and the provinces health care department, the immunization campaign had not been facing a vaccine shortage.
It's not like the Flames got the last 150 shots available. Their order was simply taken out of the plentiful inventory at the time the deal was brokered and put aside for them.
The transaction was carried out in good faith, however, when the shots were administered the Flames were technically in violation of the eligibility guidelines. This has resulted in the Alberta Health Services revealing that the most senior staff member involved had been dismissed. Last Friday, the provincial health board revealed that a second worker involved in the decision has also been let go.
It appears on the surface that the Calgary Flames received preferential treatment, but through my rose colored glasses it seems like this is simply a case of bad timing in regards to when the vaccine had run dry.
If something underhanded occured here and it's determined the team was treated with privilege, perhaps it's because they deserve it. They have only donated over $29 million through their non profit charity, the Flames Foundation, to causes throughout southern Alberta and work closely with Alberta Children’s Hospital. In addition to these acts of philanthropy, the Flames are helping to fund the first children’s hospice in Alberta.
They also bring happiness to 20,000 fans every game they play at the Saddledome along with the hundreds of thousands that watch the game in the comforts of their own home. I wonder how the people of Calgary would feel if the Flames had to close down their season like the Moncton Wildcats were forced to do earlier this week?
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Commissioner Gilles Courteau had to announce the cancellation of the Moncton Wildcats' games this week after two players developed swine flu.
I think the real injustice for Calgarian's would be having to recover from the swine flu in the pergatory of their quarentined residence without any Flames hockey to ease the suffering.
The fallout from the swine flu vaccine scandal has cost a pair of innocent health care workers their livelihoods and those sacrifices have only fuelled the peasants lust for blood. The lynch mob is now demanding that the Calgary Flames be also held responsible for their role in this fiasco.
Two heads are usually better than one, but in this case its uncertain how many people must face the guillotine before the clones feel satisfied.