A screen shot of a tweet posted to the CUPE Local 2974 Twitter account on Thursday.A screen shot of a tweet posted to the CUPE Local 2974 Twitter account on Thursday.
Windsor

Paramedics union Twitter posts suggest public "misguided" about vaccine mandates

The County of Essex is responding to a bizarre public rant against vaccine mandates and public health measures posted on the Twitter account of the union local that represents the region's paramedics.

The ominous-sounding tweets on the CUPE Local 2974 account went out around noon on Thursday.

"If you initially supported mandates, you're forgiven. You were misguided," reads the first of eight tweets. "You were lied to and simply wanted to believe it was the answer to all your fears. If you still support mandates, you may just be authoritarian and have a propensity for evil. Open your eyes."

It goes on to say, "this (propensity) being said tongue in cheek of course. The point being, it's not too late to course-correct. It's not too late to change our fate with how the future will look back on us."

The tweets continue to encourage people to oppose the mandates.

"Those complicit in the implementation of these policies believe they will be protected. They believe the world will not learn the ulterior motives behind continuing to promulgate these lies, as this is the only explanation at this point," continues the series.

The fifth in the series reads, "time will not protect the complicit -- Those too fearful to stand for freedom will be the sacrificial pawns, used to protect the powerful."

A screen shot of a tweet posted to the CUPE Local 2974 Twitter account on Thursday.A screen shot of a tweet posted to the CUPE Local 2974 Twitter account on Thursday.

A screen shot of a tweet posted to the CUPE Local 2974 Twitter account on Thursday.A screen shot of a tweet posted to the CUPE Local 2974 Twitter account on Thursday.

A screen shot of a tweet posted to the CUPE Local 2974 Twitter account on Thursday.A screen shot of a tweet posted to the CUPE Local 2974 Twitter account on Thursday.

A screen shot of a tweet posted to the CUPE Local 2974 Twitter account on Thursday.A screen shot of a tweet posted to the CUPE Local 2974 Twitter account on Thursday.

A screen shot of a tweet posted to the CUPE Local 2974 Twitter account on Thursday.A screen shot of a tweet posted to the CUPE Local 2974 Twitter account on Thursday.





A screen shot of a tweet posted to the CUPE Local 2974 Twitter account on Thursday.A screen shot of a tweet posted to the CUPE Local 2974 Twitter account on Thursday.

The County issued a statement attributed to Essex Windsor EMS Chief Bruce Krauter Friday morning.

"Essex-Windsor EMS is aware of recent social media posts regarding vaccines, vaccine mandates and vaccine policies made by the union local representing our Paramedics. These posts do not represent the position of Essex-Windsor EMS or the County of Essex, which have implemented a COVID-19 vaccine policy and safety protocols to protect the public and staff. Essex-Windsor EMS remains committed to providing exceptional care to the residents of Windsor, Essex and Pelee Island and is following all guidelines and recommendations of the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit and Public Health Ontario."

CUPE Ontario communications representative Zaid Noorsumar said, "CUPE does not condone or agree with the tweets, but locals have a great deal of autonomy."

Acting Medical Officer of Health Doctor Shanker Nesathurai declined to comment, instead referring WindsorNewsToday.ca to the county for comment.

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