The Wire We Won't Cross: My Moral Stand Against Mandatory Vaccination

Introduction

In a world where the quest for collective health overshadows individual freedoms, I find myself caught in a moral quandary. This story begins in October 2021 at Yukon University—a moment I had dreamt of for years, finally materializing. However, little did I know, this dream would quickly become a testing ground for my principles.

In the following narrative, I unfold the trials and tribulations that occurred after I refused to take the mandatory Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, leading to the end of my tenure at Yukon University and altering my personal and professional life in unprecedented ways.

The Dawn of a New Chapter: Yukon University, October 2021

As an electrical technology instructor, I was thrilled to share my expertise with the next generation of thinkers and doers. The role felt tailor-made for my skills and vision. Yukon University had a reputable program, and the timing seemed ideal.

In October 2021, despite the ongoing pandemic, there was a sense of resilience and hope, making it an exciting time to be in academia. Students and faculty alike were buzzing with the anticipation of a new academic year, a much-needed respite from the global chaos that had confined us to our homes.

The Moderna Mandate

Shortly after the semester began, an email was circulated, outlining a new campus-wide policy: mandatory vaccination against COVID-19 using the Moderna vaccine. I stared at the screen, reading and re-reading the words as if expecting them to change. No alternatives were offered.

There was no room for negotiation or discussion; it was a strict imposition. It was a directive that disregarded personal health choices and bodily autonomy, a move that, to me, crossed an ethical line.

The Moral Quandary: A Stand Taken

As someone who values individual liberty, especially concerning medical decisions, I couldn't bring myself to comply with this directive. This was not just a mere case of disobedience; this was a moral stand.

The issue was not with vaccines per se but with the principle of forced medical interventions.

A society that mandates such actions sets a dangerous precedent, one that could be easily misused under the guise of collective health. My decision to not take the vaccine was rooted in a combination of careful consideration, personal beliefs, and an ethical stance against institutional coercion.

The Reckoning: A Cost Too High?

The decision did not come without repercussions. My refusal to comply led to a cascade of events that culminated in the loss of my job. Meetings were conducted; heated debates ensued, but the establishment remained unmoved.

Eventually, the verdict was delivered through a formal notice—termination due to non-compliance with institutional policy.

It's ironic that as an electrical technology instructor teaching the science of circuits and controls, my personal autonomy was stripped away. My employment was severed because I refused to let anyone flip a switch and control my biological circuitry.

The Fallout: More Than Just a Job Lost

The loss of employment was just the tip of the iceberg. Word spread like wildfire among my colleagues, who suddenly seemed to distance themselves. The social stigma attached itself to my professional identity, branding me as an outcast in a community I once considered my own.

Students who had looked up to me were now divided in their opinions—some sympathetic to my cause, others disapproving. The impact was profound, touching not just my professional life but leaving an indelible mark on my social existence.

Echoes of Discrimination: Society’s Invisible Wall

Even the process of job hunting became a Herculean task. Interviews that started off promising would take a sharp turn the moment the topic of my departure from Yukon University arose.

The atmosphere would shift palpably as if the room had suddenly grown colder. Despite my qualifications, the refusal to get vaccinated seemed to overshadow every other aspect of my professional portfolio. The wall, invisible yet implacable, kept rising between me and prospective employers.

The Moderna Divide: When Science Becomes Dogma

The issue is multi-faceted and not as straightforward as many make it seem. In today's polarized world, nuanced discussions around the efficacy, safety, and ethical implications of mRNA vaccines are often drowned out by dogmatic rhetoric.

The 'science' becomes the scripture, and questioning it is akin to blasphemy. This attitude is not only anti-scientific but also socially divisive. It disregards that science is an evolving field, open to scrutiny, revisions, and, most importantly, debate.

Closure: A Freedom Foregone, Questions Unanswered

As we inch closer to a post-pandemic world, my life remains anything but normal. The decisions I made cost me my dream job, strained my social relationships, and put my professional career in a difficult spot. But would I change anything if I had the chance? Likely not, because sometimes principles come with a price, and I was willing to pay it.

While I lost a job, I've gained a renewed sense of self, fortified by the knowledge that I stood for what I believed in. However, it leaves me contemplating the costs of collective health measures that don't allow for individual variance.

When does public health become authoritarian?

When does the collective good start infringing on individual freedoms?

When will it end?

 These questions remain unanswered as I navigate my life in these complex times, standing by the wire I refuse to cross.

Conclusion

As we reflect on this period in human history, we must ask ourselves hard questions about the ethical boundaries of public health interventions. My personal experience serves as a case study of the unintended consequences of bad policies, highlighting the nuances that get lost in generalized mandates.

As society attempts to reconcile with a new normal, it’s essential to remember that while collective health is important, individual freedoms should not become a casualty in this battle. The time is ripe for a dialogue—a reckoning, if you will—on how we balance these conflicting yet equally important aspects of human society.

To be continued…