Kelowna shop offers free coffee to hospital workers after protest against COVID-19 vaccine cards

Following a large protest against COVID-19 vaccine cards at Kelowna General Hospital, a coffee shop has taken it upon itself to brighten the moods of healthcare workers.

“We try not to get political around here but regardless of our opinions on the whole vaccine passport debate, we really can’t imagine a more disrespectful, ridiculous place to stage a protest than outside of a hospital,” according to a Facebook post from Bright Jenny Coffee.

Hundreds protested against provincial mandates that will require people to confirm their vaccine record to access certain services like restaurants and fitness centres outside of Kelowna General Hospital and Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops yesterday, Sept. 1.

Healthcare workers also took to Facebook to voice their disappointment with protestors.

“View from the OR today. The same OR that is running at more than 60% capacity for the third week in a row due to an overwhelming number of COVID unvaccinated hospitalizations. I’ve never been so disappointed in my community,” wrote Dr. Gareth Eeson, a surgical oncologist at Kelowna General Hospital, on Twitter.

READ MORE: 'How dare you': Healthcare workers react to rally against COVID vaccine cards at Kelowna General

Bright Jenny Coffee is offering free coffee for the rest of the week to all Kelowna hospital staff. Employees will only need to show their hospital ID.

“We see you working hard every single day to care for everyone, no matter who they are and what they believe. We know you have nothing to do with the decisions being made in our province, and you’re just trying your best to adapt and keep up. We respect the hell out of you and we love you,” Bright Jenny wrote.

The coffee shop asks residents to keep their “battles respectful and in places that they belong.”

“In front of our stressed out lifesaving institutions is not the place. In the face of our kick-ass baristas is not the place. Within any of the hard working small businesses just trying to stay afloat during these weird and wonderful times is not the place. Take it up with the decision makers, your local MP, WorkSafeBC, or our city officials. Be thoughtful, be smart, and be kind.”

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