By: Thomas I. Likness
Eagle News Service
(Eagle News) — Canadians have little tolerance for people who refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19 according to a Maru Group public opinion poll released Wednesday.
More than one out of four Canadians surveyed say those unvaccinated against COVID-19 should have to serve a five-day jail sentence.
And 61% say these folks should either have to pay a healthcare surcharge of up to CA$150 a month or pay the full cost of their medical care if they are admitted to a hospital for COVID-19.
More than three-quarters of those asked say the unvaccinated should not be allowed to enter public spaces such a restaurants, theaters, libraries and various retail outlets.
The survey found about half of those polled felt the unvaccinated are responsible for overwhelming the healthcare system and 40% believe they are holding people back from having a normal life.
Just over one-third say the unvaxxed endanger society and another third think they are misguided conspiracy theorists.
One quarter described unvaccinated people as reckless.
More than half — 54% say they do not have sympathy for unvaccinated people who get seriously ill for die from COVID-19.
Mandatory vaccination widely supported
About 10% of Canadians have refused to be vaccinated.
Marus also asked those refusing immunization why they do so.
Forty-five percent say they are defending their civil liberties, 42% want more data to ensure the vaccine is safe.
Nearly one in five subscribe to one of several conspiracy theories — 9% say Covid is just a hoax, 7% say drug companies have concocted it to get rich, and 4% say it’s a global conspiracy to control those who get the shot.
As far as mandatory vaccinations, a majority of Canadians support them.
The poll found two-thirds of those asked believe everyone over the age of five should be immunized.
But 82% say there should be exemptions for people who have medical reasons or legitimate religious reasons for not taking the shot.
The poll was taken on Jan. 14 &15 and surveyed 1,506 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Maru Voice Canada online panelists. The poll has an estimated margin of error of +/-2.5%, 19 times out of 20.
(Eagle News Service)