Kelowna healthcare worker opposing anti-vaccine rallies bringing his own message to hospital protest

A Kelowna healthcare worker who has long opposed anti-mask and anti-COVID-19 restriction rallies is once again preparing his own signs for a protest.

Every weekend David Crawford stands apart from the anti-vaccine and anti-COVID-19 restriction protests in Stuart Park, outside of Interior Health on Doyle Avenue and along Highway 97. His signs read “Yay science! Yay vaccines!” and “vaccines are safe and effective.”

A group called "Canadian Frontline Nurses" is advertising protests against vaccine mandates, which are slated to take place at Kelowna General Hospital, Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, and other cities across the country, Sept. 1.

"In the past I have defended everyone's right to protest at a public park. For these people to bring (their) ignorance to a place of healing is beneath contempt," Crawford said.

Wearing masks and getting vaccinated are ways to protect those who are unvaccinated, “but they don’t seem to understand that,” he said.

At Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, a nurse, who iNFOnews.ca has granted anonymity because of a high likelihood they'll face repercussions from their employer, took no issue with the protest itself, but has concerns about it taking place in front of a hospital.

"I don't think they should be doing it anywhere near the hospital because that gets in our way to help people and do our jobs," they said. "It's anxiety-provoking to have that many people around the hospital."

READ MORE: Kamloops nurse worried vaccine protest at hospital will bring disruptions

The B.C. government recently announced a COVID-19 vaccine card system will be coming to the province, which will restrict access to certain events and services unless residents have at least one dose by Sept. 13, then a second dose by Oct. 24.

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