Archive and Content Search
While eligibility and availability of the COVID-19 vaccine have increased, uncertainty and opposition are still prevalent in the glass and glazing industry. According to the results of a USGlass magazine/USGNN™ survey conducted with the Research Department of parent company Key Media and Research, about half of eligible industry members have received at least their first dose of the COVID vaccine, while between 22-33% do not plan to receive any vaccination against the virus.
The voluntary and anonymous survey was conducted at the end of March 2021, about a year after the pandemic put life across the globe on hold. Of the 341 industry members that participated, those in the manufacturer, fabricator, distributor and wholesale firms were the most accepting of the vaccine, with 54.9% having received at least one vaccination. Similarly, of those holding retailer, consultant, product representative or supplier positions, 32.3% said they do not plan to receive any vaccination.
Survey Respondent Breakdown by Job Function
- Executive Management – 46.3%
- Sales or Marketing – 26.6%
- Field or Shop Management – 10.0%
- Installer in the Field or Shop Labor – 4.2%
- Other – 12.7%
To help encourage those in the construction industry to get their vaccinations and to spread awareness, the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), along with other organizations, is partnering with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this week on a nationwide campaign. According to a press release, AGC will distribute educational materials about the vaccine, in addition to a new industry public service announcement urging construction workers to get their shots as part of the campaign.
“Construction workers have long looked after the welfare of their colleagues, reminding them to stay safe, wear the right gear and be aware of their surroundings,” says Stephen Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “Getting their shot is another way that workers can protect their colleagues, as well as their loved ones and community members.”
Sandherr mentions “Construction workers have long looked after the welfare of their colleagues” – but perhaps misses the mark by insinuating that they aren’t doing so now. With a vaccine that is only approved for emergency use and a virus that is not nearly as dangerous for the majority of the population as the corporate media and leftist politicians are trying to make people think, there could potentially be more risk to getting the vaccine than actually getting sick for a good percentage of the population (young, healthy, minimal pre-existing conditions that raises the mortality rate of COVID-19.) Besides, the administration is actively working to dissuade people from getting the vaccine by saying that even once you are vaccinated, you’ll still have to wear masks and socially distance. So if people can’t get back to normal life, why risk the vaccine? This is the first disease where this kind of thinking is applied. Why? For safety of the population? I think not – it’s to allow those in power to retain that power for as long as they can. The party who claims to follow “the science” couldn’t be more anti-science. I believe that blue collar workers have more common sense and are less likely to blindly follow a politician or the media than other groups.