Local funeral home buys special pins to indicate fully vaccinated employees
Many local businesses are taking further steps to ensure customers feel safer in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, by announcing that their staff members are either partially or fully vaccinated.
Joe O’Neil, funeral director of O’Neil Funeral Home, purchased a dozen red pins for his employees to wear.
"It says COVID-19 vaccinated, got a dozen off the internet, gave one out to the staff. As soon as I laid them down on the desk they descended on them faster than they descended on the doughnuts.”
Members at O’Neil’s funeral home are fully vaccinated and wearing it on their sleeves.
O’Neil says it’s important to do, as he is often working face-to-face with the virus -- transferring the deceased from hospitals many of whom perished from COVID-19.
“COVID-19 is one of the most terrifying diseases any of us have ever seen in our life. Maybe people don’t see it the way we do, but it scares us.”
O’Neil and his workers are tending to bereaved families when hosting their funeral services. Sometimes up to 40 people at once congregate, if physical distancing measures allow.
He says the severity of the COVID-19 virus makes it that much more important to announce the staff’s double-dose status to people walking through their doors.
"Especially here I am finding it’s extremely important…people coming in and they are very happy. I get asked all the time, where did I get this?” he says, as he points to his pin.
Over at Flooring Liquidators, Tony Stone is a sales associate working face-to-ace with customers on a daily basis.
Tony Stone, left, a sales associate stands next to Flooring Liquidators Owner Moe Rida in London, Ont., Wednesday, July 28, 2021. (Jordyn Read / CTV News)
Tony Stone, left, a sales associate stands next to Flooring Liquidators Owner Moe Rida in London, Ont., Wednesday, July 28, 2021. (Jordyn Read / CTV News)
Stone and his two coworkers are all partially vaccinated with second doses scheduled for next week.
“It’s excitement in a sense but more of a duty to do our part for the community.”
Stone says it makes all the difference for customers.
“People do come in, they ask us, ‘Are you vaccinated?’ because it gives them a sense of relief...people are like, 'Yeah he is vaccinated, this is the guy I want to deal with, this is the lady I want to deal with.'"
While both establishments have staff that are either fully or partially vaccinated, they are not asking for the same requirements from customers.
“We do believe that everyone still has the right to choose when it comes to vaccinations,” says Stone.
Back over at the funeral home, O’Neil sings a stronger tune.
"It’s in bad taste but it's the truth. Why would we keep people away that haven’t been vaccinated? It’s tomorrow’s business walking through the door.”
The Ontario government has not made COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory and has left it up to businesses to decide whether or not to make it mandatory for their employees and patrons.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
First court appearance for boy and girl charged in death of Halifax 16-year-old
A girl and a boy, both 14 years old, made their first appearance today in a Halifax courtroom, where they each face a second-degree murder charge in the stabbing death of a 16-year-old high school student.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
It's 30 years since apartheid ended. South Africa's celebrations are set against growing discontent
South Africa marked 30 years since the end of apartheid and the birth of its democracy with a ceremony in the capital Saturday that included a 21-gun salute and the waving of the nation's multicolored flag.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.