Unvaccinated city councillor recovers after ‘very mild’ symptoms

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This article was published 18/01/2022 (1710 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

An unvaccinated City of Winnipeg councillor who recently tested positive for COVID-19 is now recovering — and suggests vaccines are not the only key to “immune health.”

In an email to the Free Press and a similar social media post, Coun. Vivian Santos reveals she tested negative for the novel coronavirus Monday night, after four days of “very mild” symptoms.

Santos (Point Douglas) is the only council member to confirm she is not vaccinated against COVID-19, citing an unspecified medical reason.

On Tuesday, Santos said she’s thankful to have a strong immune system she linked to a quick recovery, while urging others to respect “individual health circumstances.”

“It is important to realize that we are all different individuals with our own individual health circumstances. Our bodies are binary, where all you need is one input or output to be successful. My personal daily preventative routine measures may work for some people, but I do suggest consulting with your health practitioner, first and foremost,” wrote Santos.

The vast majority of medical experts have repeatedly stressed vaccines offer the best available protection against COVID-19. Health Canada and Manitoba Health have stressed vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from the virus, with the Manitoba government urging citizens to get their second and third doses as quickly as possible.

In light of key public health messages, public statements from politicians that focus on alternatives to vaccination have triggered plenty of criticism.

In an interview, Santos said she is “pro vaxx,” has received some immunizations in the past, and doesn’t believe her comments should discourage others from getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

Instead, she stressed it is not her place to provide medical advice.

“I think the biggest key message that I want the public to understand is that we are all different individuals who do have different health circumstances and not one solution is going to work for everybody,” said Santos.

“I think it’s important for people to understand that, as a government official, I will never tell people what to do with their body. I’m not a doctor.”

In September, Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman removed Santos from the role of acting deputy mayor. Bowman deemed her replacement, Coun. Markus Chambers, “a better fit” to help convince Winnipeggers to get vaccinated.

Bowman was not available for an interview Tuesday.

In an emailed statement, spokesperson Jeremy Davis did not directly answer what the mayor thinks of Santos’ public comments about vaccination.

The statement did stress all politicians should lead the way in promoting immunization.

“The mayor continues to urge all Winnipeggers to get vaccinated and boosted as soon as they are eligible. He also believes that elected officials at all levels of government should actively lead by example and promote the use of vaccines as urged by health-care professionals, including those from Manitoba Health,” wrote Davis.

He noted municipal elected officials and political staff who don’t provide proof of vaccination are expected to work remotely, instead of at city hall.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga