Your say: strong reaction to Glenwood school teachers’ Covid mandate walkout

The decision by four Glenwood State School teachers to leave with two weeks still to go in the school year has sparked a furious online debate.

The revelation that almost all the teachers at Glenwood State School north of Gympie had walked off the job last week ahead of impending vaccine mandates for teachers has divided the internet.

The decision by almost the entire Glenwood State School teaching staff to walk off the job last week over vaccine mandates ignited a firestorm of online debate over the weekend.

The walkout followed the State Government’s announcement that all Queensland teachers must have their first Covid vaccine shot by December 17.

If the are not fully vaccinated by January 23, 2022, they will be suspended unless they can show why they should not be.

Public opinion about the Glenwood teachers’ decision has run in all directions.

The Gympie Times’ web page had more than 450 readers’ comments, ranging from “disgusting” to “pro-choice”, and covering every inch of the grey area in between.

Ian (no last name published) called the decision “totally irresponsible and unprofessional to walk away early”.

“Take your annoyance out on the system not the kids,” he said.

The decision of four teachers to leave Glenwood State School two weeks before the end of term over controversial Queensland Government vaccination mandates sparked strong debate online. Picture: Google Maps

Carole (no last name) was another reader in this corner with a crystal clear view.

“As an ex teacher I find this disgusting,” she said. “Children get many vaccinations before school age so they can all play together, then they are placed in the care of teachers for 6 hrs per day 5 days a week.

“Surely those teachers can get 2 jabs to make their classrooms a safer place? I shouldn‘t have been vaxxed for numerous health reasons but I did, this year.

“A cousin has a dreadful needle phobia but she gave in. Like everyone else we did it for our community.”

There was no shortage of views from the other side of the fence, either.

Education Minister Grace Grace and the State Government have given teachers until December 17 to have their first Covid shot. NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

ColD said calling those with concerns about the Covid vaccines anti-vaxxers was “nonsense”.

“Not agreeing with mandated vaccination does not make one an anti-vaxxer,” they said.

“I have had both my shots, but I support them fully.

“I suspect that there are many on this page who would if told by a politician or public servant to ‘jump’, they would reply ‘how high?’”

Wombat07 shared this view.

“Most people are not anti-vax but unfortunately aren’t allowed to make a choice,” they said.

“Not everyone gets the flu shot and they didn’t get chased out of their jobs in the previous years for not getting it.

“Blame the government for continuing to change the goalposts and promising the world and delivering nothing.”

Many readers said being against the Covid vaccine did not make them anti-vaxxers.

Another commenter, Brad, lamented the loss of balance in the debate.

“Seems the consensus is that thinking for oneself and being in charge of your own health and destiny is somehow wrong, and instead doing what you are told no matter what the consequences to yourself is somehow right,” he said.

Craig was another who supported choice (”nobody likes to be forced into something it‘s freedom of choice, which must be respected and yes I’m fully vaccinated”), as was Foul Quince (“I‘m not anti-vax but I am pro-freedom and the cost to freedom and the dark path that sets us down is far higher than the consequences of Covid”).

Tracey (no last name) said teachers and frontline public servants had found themselves in a no-win situation.

“Once the shock wears off the reality of making a political stand will become clear and the majority will follow the mandate,” she said.

“The simple fact is that in certain professions we are not going to have a choice in regard to vaccination status, but people do have a choice to remain or enter into these professions.

“No teacher would want to be the one that caused an outbreak among their class or school.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has come under fire from groups including the Queensland teachers Union over the controversial mandate. NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

“The childcare educator who infects a daycare group would be vilified by both sides of the vaccination debate.”

Some said the choice was not about freedom, but consequences.

“Just like laws about speeding, people still have a choice to speed (or not to be vaccinated),” Peter said.

“However there are consequences of this choice.

“Make the choice, accept the consequences.”

Eli said rights were important, but they had limitations.

“Unvaccinated people claim the right not to get vaccinated which is their choice, but their rights do no extend to putting other people at risk nor do they override the rights of vaccinated peoples to be protected and safe in their workplace and other places,” he said.

Other readers said there was a clear line in the sand on the issue.

Peter said the mandates were similar to speeding laws.

“People still have a choice to speed (or not to be vaccinated),” he said.

“However there are consequences of this choice. Make the choice, accept the consequences.”

Eve held the same line.

“It seems everyone has their rights, but no longer responsibilities.”