It isn’t just Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer who’s frustrated by quarterback Kirk Cousins’ comments regarding COVID vaccinations. On Friday, Michigan’s Holland Hospital, which had a sponsorship relationship with Cousins, ended that relationship after Cousins’ Thursday remarks.
“I think the vaccination decision is a private. very private health matter for me,” Cousins said, on the same day he was placed back on the active roster from the Reserve/COVID list after close contact with backup quarterback Kellen Mond, who had tested positive. “I’m going to keep it as such. I do believe as a leader of the team, it’s very important to follow the protocols and avoid this close contact, because that is what it’s going to come down to — did you have a close contact? So, I’m going to be vigilant about avoiding a close contact. I’ve even thought about, ‘Should I just set up, literally, Plexiglas around where I sit, so this could never happen again?’ I’ve thought about it, because I’m going to do whatever it takes. We’re going to avoid this close contact thing, and look forward to make sure I’m playing every game this year.”
This 11 months after Cousins’ famous (or perhaps infamous) “If I die, I die” remarks regarding vaccinations.
“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,” the hospital’s statement on the matter read. “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.
“Evidence also indicates that vaccinated individuals may be less likely to carry and transmit the virus to others including children, family members and friends,” the statement said. “For these reasons, Holland Hospital has and will continue to strongly recommend the COVID vaccine to those who are eligible to receive it.”
At a time when hospitals are running out of beds in their intensive care units because they’re caring for a disproportionate number of people who refuse to be vaccinated, there’s this video of Cousins, certain that Holland Hospital will take care of Cousins and his family if they’re overcome by COVID.
At the beginning of the pandemic, Kirk Cousins made a video thanking healthcare workers.
The unvaccinated NFL quarterback said he “takes great comfort” that Holland Hospital will take care of his family if they become infected with COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/VlINTbnZyY
— Resist Programming 🛰 (@RzstProgramming) August 7, 2021
If Cousins is going to be the type of person who’s fine with putting an unnecessary burden on a hospital (not to mention a potentially catastrophic burden on his own family), it’s entirely appropriate for Holland Hospital to cut ties in this case. Sadly, Holland Hospital (and just about every other hospital in America right now) has more than enough to deal with right now.