Thread by @javeedsukhera

This is what structural stigma looks like: Hard hit #Peelregion explicitly excluding physicians working in psychiatry/addictions from vaccination despite the fact that many work in high risk congregate community settings with vulnerable populations. #onpoli @ROPpublichealth

There are many colleagues in #Peel who work in community settings like group homes, shelters, outreach, shared care, etc. Many who see complex and high risk patients in person. This kind of policy decision reflects biases baked into the system.

Provincial guidelines specify that ALL patient facing health workers should be prioritized. They also specify prioritizing non patient facing hospital workers. They don’t call for excluding all community docs working in addictions or psychiatry.

I am more than happy to wait my turn but I can’t be ok with blatant stigma against my colleagues working in community mental health and addictions.

I know this is a sensitive topic and gets folks emotionally charged. My only ask is that our colleagues appreciate that those working in mental health and addictions are frequently undervalued and mistreated.

Many of us have been just as “frontline” as our non psychiatry colleagues, working in outbreaks, and struggling with PPE access as we deliver care to the most marginalized members of our community who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.

My ask is that we take an inclusive approach to pandemic policy design and ensure that we ask ourselves which voices aren’t at the table that should be there. healthydebate.ca/opinions/pande…

With increasing supply we will get to where we need to be. I still have hope and am optimistic that we are getting closer and closer to something better.