I'm so old, I remember when vaccines were being mandated to stop overburdening hospitals. Maine's solved that problem, sort of.

Screen Shot 2021-10-14 at 12.36.46 PM.png

NottheBee: The Central Maine Medical Center, or CMMC, was already experiencing staffing shortages, but the vaccine mandate is pushing them over the edge.

"This action is being taken due to resignations of key staff that exacerbated an already fragile health care workforce," the statement said.

CMH spokeswoman Ann Kim said Tuesday afternoon that 84 staff members systemwide had either resigned or submitted their resignations in response to the vaccine requirementAbout 230 staff have yet to get vaccinated or confirm their vaccination status.

Not to worry, Maine Governor Janet Mills is on the case!

"Now make no mistake:..."

Nothing good has ever followed that preamble.

"...we will do everything within our power – and everything to protect public health – to ensure access to health services for Maine people if Central Maine Medical Center employees refuse to be vaccinated and leave their jobs," she said in a prepared statement.

Well, almost everything in her power.

CMH's president and CEO, Steve Littleson, told the Portland Press Herald on Tuesday that though he supports vaccinations, he is appealing to the governor's office for an alternative to vaccines, such as weekly testing.

"We have patients to care for, and if there's a practical solution other than reducing services and cutting bed capacity, I'm all for it," Littleson said.

Governor Mills response? Let them eat... shortages.