Flu Bugged
November 4th, 2009 | by James Duplacey |“Most of our players received the vaccine prior to the currently discussed priority program and consistent with the then-stated Alberta Health Services policy.” – Peter Hanlon – Flames V.P. of Communications
Less than twenty-four hours after getting their posteriors punted from post to pillar by an angry coaching staff, the Calgary Flames were broad-sided by a far more formidable foe – the court of public opinion.
Yesterday, it was disclosed – and later verified – that the Calgary Flames’ players, their families, staff and management received exclusive treatment from Alberta Health Services officials and were given vaccination shots for the H1N1 flu virus at an off-site clinic not accessible to the general public for that purpose. This preferential patronage allowed the team and its personnel to casually stroll into the facility, roll up their sleeves and take the medicinal jab while thousands of other Calgarians were sequestered outdoors in lengthy block-long lineups, waiting for five to six hours to receive the same treatment.
The ramifications of the Flame-friendly benevolence even reached the floor of the provincial legislature, where Premier Ed Stelmach promised a full investigation into the situation.
It seems nothing raises the ire of John Q. Public more than line-jumping and queue-skipping. When humans are corralled like cattle, they tend to act like animals, displaying blunt-minded aggression and fatigued frustration. The knowledge that a group of wealthy athletes, many of whom already have the benefits of exceptional medical care, were accorded special treatment while the very patrons who pay their salary were forced to go without, has only added barbs to the wire.
It appears the Flames are the only NHL team to request – and receive – such privileged attention. Of course, the players themselves are not complicit in this matter – team management has accepted full responsibility for the clubs actions and decisions. Yet, it’s the players – who often represent their community with decorum and dignity – that will probably receive the brunt of the public’s discourse. You can bet they’d rather get a boo than the flu.
By Eric on Nov 4, 2009
I’m not going to defend what they did or anything like that. I think that it’s unfair that they got this preferential treatment. However, I can see a few reasons that they got it.
The biggest is that they seem like they’re at a higher risk than everybody else. They will travel to places like Edmonton which has a lot of its players out with the flu.
It’s the same for medical staff. They are at a higher risk so they get to jump to the front of the line to get the shot (at least here in the states).
Once again, I think they should have to wait like everybody else, but they would still be at a higher risk.
By James Duplacey on Nov 6, 2009
I agree entirely. Most people don’t realize the hectic pace that controls a professional athlete’s life. When the flu bug invades a dressing room, few players – or staff for that matter – escape unscathed. With a virus as serious as H1N1, the risks are magnified. That being said, it was an unwise decision on managements part to accept such an accommodation.