Recently the internet has been ablaze with the rumour that Ronald McDonald Houses in British Columbia, including the one in Vancouver, are kicking sick kids to the curb based on their COVID-19 vaccination status.
The claim stems from a letter Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon (RMHBC) tenants received earlier this week. The letter detailed changes RMHBC is making to admissions requirements effective Jan. 17, applicable to both the house at 4567 Heather Street Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»and at the family room in Surrey Memorial Hospital.
The letter explains that from Jan. 17 on, every tenant five years old and older who is working, staying, or visiting RMHBC facilities must show proof of being fully vaccinated (with two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine) unless they have been previously granted accommodation. The letter also names Jan. 31 as the end of a grace period for families already in the house/family room with only one dose.
When copies of the letter and a video of a man confronting RMHBC staff hit social media, the response was less than measured. Many believed that children sick with cancer were going to be evicted with no recourse. In protest, many already anti-vax leaning Twitter users began pushing #BoycottMcDonalds into a trending tag.
The letter did not mention what would happen to those who are not fully vaccinated by Jan. 31. However, in a recent statement provided to Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» from RMHBC, the charity clarified it will be providing alternative accommodation options to affected tenants.
“We are working with all families during the grace period in order to understand their particular circumstances and support them in finding alternate accommodation arrangements if we are unable to accommodate them.
“We appreciate that this policy will impact those who have made a decision not to vaccinate however, the overall health and welfare of all our residents is our primary concern,” the statement read.
