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NFL vaccine: Holland Hospital cut ties with Kirk Cousins after his COVID 19 remarks

Arth Chandra
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Kirk Cousins

Kirk Cousins is one of many among the NFL that refuse to get the vaccine for Covid-19 despite the obvious advantages, both in the league and in life. And as a result, Cousins’ hometown hospital no longer wishes to have him as their spokesperson.

The Vikings placed quarterbacks, Kirk Cousins, Kellen Mond, and Nate Stanley on the COVID-19 reserve list on Sunday one day after Jake Browning was the only QB available for Minnesota’s Saturday evening practice.  Mond returned positive for Covid-19 early on Saturday. As a result, Cousins and Stanley were sidelined.

The other 2 QBs were deemed high-risk close contacts because they are unvaccinated, according to a league source, and have to isolate for five days before they’re eligible to come off the reserve list and return to practice.

After being activated off the Vikings’ COVID-19/reserve list Thursday, Cousins was asked if he would get vaccinated. But Cousins doubled down on his vaccination decision calling it “a very private health matter for me, and I’m going to keep it as such.”

Holland Hospital cut ties with Kirk Cousins

Cousins had served as a spokesman for Holland Hospital in Holland, Michigan, the town where Cousins was a star athlete at Holland Christian High School. The hospital announced today that it will cut ties with him.

“As the trusted health care leader along the lakeshore, we are committed to providing accurate, timely health information and guidance based on guidelines from the CDC and medical experts,” the statement read.

“While we acknowledge that each person is entitled to their own viewpoints, those who speak on our behalf must support messages that align with the hospital’s position on matters of vital importance to individual and community health.

“For this reason, Holland Hospital will discontinue using Kirk Cousins as our spokesperson for now. We are proud of our association with Kirk. He embodies many values we respect and share as part of our work culture. “However, we must be certain that our communications about COVID vaccination are consistent and unequivocal.”

“The clear recommendation from the CDC and leading medical experts is that the COVID vaccine is safe, effective and the best defense against becoming infected with the virus. Evidence also indicates that vaccinated individuals may be less likely to carry and transmit the virus to others including children, family members and friends.

“For these reasons, Holland Hospital has and will continue to strongly recommend the COVID vaccine to those who are eligible to receive it. It is important that Holland Hospital maintain the trusted reputation we have earned for providing consistent, truthful information and evidence-based health care guidance.”

The decision by Holland Hospital is completely just. Cousins obviously can’t represent a health care provider at a time when he’s actively refusing to do the single most important thing everyone must do for the health of their community.

Also Read: “There are quite a few guys that are just against it”: Vikings HC Mike Zimmer frustrated with his unvaccinated players

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