LoisR was well known in the Chilliwack area and many of the people in the church for the memorial service were likely local people.
The daughter of her niece (a different one, not JN) and her husband T&T arrived from Edmonton on the Friday before the service. JN had been in contact with them ahead of time and was pleased that they would attend.
As well as a planned limousine ride to the gravesite after the church service, a post service dinner at a nice restaurant was planned.
At some point we realized that Albertan's would obviously not have a BC vaccine passport so AE and JN contacted the restaurant on what happens in that case.
The restaurant assured us that the Canadian vaccine passport would be perfectly acceptable.
JN then contacted T&T to remind them to ensure they had their Canadian vaccine passport with them. When hearing this T&T replied.
"We're not vaccinated"
I was working downstairs at the time and only heard the part of the conversation dealing with the obvious absence of a BC vaccine passport.
When I knocked off work and came upstairs I then was briefed on the conversation.
I lost it.
I called them irresponsible assholes. And probably more.
JN was obviously upset that I would call people she was related to that she hardly knew (and that I did not know at all) such a derogatory term.
But honestly, who do these anti vaxxers think they are? LoisR was nearly 100. None of the people at the service would be as old as that, but many would be old enough to be in danger if exposed to Covid-19. Close contact would obviously occur at a memorial service with many people hugging.
AE and myself have avoided many events because we thought better than get in such situations. If we don't want to hug people we don't know, we have chosen not to go to such events. We have attended "on line" when available. It's not the same, but these events can be very emotional on line.
However, we had already committed to going to this event.
I was angry at the anti vaxxers. I was angry for being so angry that I lost my temper. Why is it that the anti vaxxers can do whatever the hell they want?
The next morning, I had a tough time getting out of bed I was so incensed. I finally did (2hrs later than planned) with the internal vow that I would not get anywhere near "these people" and would (obviously) ensure that I had hand sanitizer at the ready and my mask on my face.
When we met, T extended her hand. I bowed slightly. The other T was treated about the same.
If people choose to not get vaccinated and put everyone (including me and my family) at risk, I choose to treat them like they're covered in shit.
As it happened they were nice enough people, but the virus "doesn't care".
There was a sign at the main doors to the church noting that "masks are recommended".
Of course T&T were not wearing masks (many people were not). I extended an olive branch and said that we had extra (N95) masks in the car if they would like one.
"We have a mask"
I thought to myself a lot of good that does you inside your purse. I simply walked away with no comment.
I didn't relax until later when we went to dinner and everyone at the table had shown their vaccine passports (we couldn't get in otherwise).
I'm glad we have the vaccine passport, it keeps the "flat earthers" away from me. I'm disappointed (and alarmed) that it will not be required sometime in April.
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