Heartfelt thank you to all front-line workers
I would like to thank some of the other workers who are still doing their jobs despite the current situation. The folks who, despite everything, still come and pick up our garbage and recycling as well as all the other frontline workers who allow us to carry one with our lives with as much normalcy as possible 鈥� grocery store clerks, gas station attendants, letter carriers and more. Thank you one and all for your courage in these difficult times.
Carol McHarg
Victoria
Saanich council took right budget approach
At the March 23 meeting council approved a core budget for 2020 with six for and three against.
I would like to thank the Saanich mayor and five councillors for moving forward with a status quo budget for 2020. I am sure each councilor did some soul searching before arriving at their decision, but it was the right one.
The following is the note I sent to them:
鈥淚 would like to thank you for your prudent decision on approving a core budget in these difficult times. This is not the time to entertain non-discretionary expenses, those of us that have lived through the late eighties/early nineties recession understand this.
I can say with great certainty that both the planet and Saanich will survive a one-year pause on the various proposals, pet projects and climate action that would have increased the tax burden to an unsupported level. With COVID-19 hanging over us it truly is best to 鈥榢eep our powder dry.鈥櫬犫��
The larger question is why this equitable budget with no loss of programs or services, was not unanimously passed.
Three councillors 鈥� Rebecca Mersereau, Ned Taylor, Zac de Vries 鈥� voted against the core budget, saying it lacked accelerated climate action.
I would like to remind the Saanich trio that the budget as passed is 鈥渄oing something鈥� and continuing on with excessive property tax increases is extremely shortsighted and puts us all at risk.
Vernon Lord
Saanich
Pan banging enhanced聽by bagpipes
Like many others, the residents of our little condo on Dallas Road have taken to generally raising a din at 7 p.m. each evening , banging pots and pans in recognition of the courage and dedication of our health care workers.
Lately, we鈥檝e been joined by a trio: our neighbour Bill on his bagpipes with his girls playing guitar and triangle, ending with Amazing Grace.
Last night, our tribute was enhanced by additional pipers.
I don鈥檛 know if health-care workers feel any better for our noisy gestures of thanks, but I can attest that WE feel better for having given tribute.
Tom Saunders
Victoria
Nightly applause for all front-line workers
From the spouse of a health-care worker it is encouraging and heart warming to read the banner on the front page of the Times 91原创: 鈥淏ang some pans at 7 p.m. to thank our health-care workers.鈥�
However, we should not forget to acknowledge all those who are still on the job taking care of our needs at places like the grocery store, pharmacy, etc.
To everyone out there making our lives easier to get through these trying times, thank you. Please stay safe and take care of yourselves and your families.
Ron Planden
Saanichton
B.C. should declare a聽Bonnie Henry Day
When the epidemic is behind us, I propose that we have a party on the Legislature lawn for all British Columbians.
Premier John Horgan could use the occasion to announce that Bonnie Henry Day will be officially recognized and celebrated annually.
Eric Manning
James Bay
B.C. Hydro should suspend tier 2 rate
The biggest favour B.C. Hydro could do for ratepayers is to suspend the tier 2 escalator rate for three months. Customers are not required to apply and suspension of the rate means a significant savings for a majority of customers
R.E. Pepper
Saanich
Bank picks bad time to hike rates, fees
It is heartwarming to hear of various companies that are helping out in the current crisis, by retooling their factories to make much-needed supplies for health care workers, or by deferring payments, or by lowering interest rates.
But then there鈥檚 this: Scotiabank has just announced that their Mastercard 鈥� 鈥� annual interest rate for Purchases will increase from 19.99 per cent to 20.99 per cent as of April 1, 2020 and certain fees are increasing to $5.00 as of May 1,2020.鈥�
Could they possibly have picked a worse time to inflict this increase on their customers?
Martha Warnes
Victoria
Private health care no help in pandemic
Re: 鈥淐anada among world鈥檚 least prepared for COVID-19,鈥� Gwyn Morgan, April 3.
I take exception to the columnist鈥檚 views on the need for a private health-care system in Canada. I am a registered nurse with more than 40 years experience and have worked in countries with a private system that supposedly runs parallel with a public system. My experience is that this is not the best way to deliver health care. Yes, our public system has it鈥檚 deficiencies and we need to work on those deficiencies.
However, adding a private system will only increase the burden on the public system. The private system does not support the sickest of the sick. However it does provide beautifully decorated hospital rooms, gourmet meals and jumping the queue for minor surgeries.
Our health care experts are in the so called 鈥渄angerous government-monopoly health-care system鈥� as is our high-tech equipment. Who do you think pays the salaries of Dr. Theresa Tam and Dr. Bonnie Henry 鈥� our public health care officers? The public system, out of our tax dollars. Both these women have been amazing leaders through this time of angst.
Facing a pandemic with a possible shortage of beds and equipment doesn鈥檛 mean we need to introduce a private system. Countries with both public and private systems are struggling through this pandemic as well. We must learn from our experience as Dr. Bonnie Henry did when she went through the SARS outbreak in Ontario and build on it.
Alison Smith RN
Chemainus
Please check in with聽your seniors
During this time of isolation, they may not be doing as well as you think. My sister in an apartment building in Comox was found unwell in bed by her good neighbours. Her door was ajar, as it often was, to let her kitty roam the hallway. But, one day, the door was left open much longer than usual and a neighbour investigated. She is now in Comox hospital receiving excellent treatment. God bless the hospital staff, and God bless the neighbours.
Dianne Parker
Victoria
Protocols lacking for returning 91原创s
Why are we still seeing footage of returning 91原创s closely lined up at airline ticket counters at their points of departure, and also transacting at very close quarters with the counter personnel? Why are airplane staff serving clients not wearing new protective gear for each flight? How much more time than usual is taken between flights to thoroughly disinfect the passenger interiors of the crafts?
Why are all returning passengers 鈥� having been in such close contact and from nations with a variety of preventative standards 鈥� not being tested? Why are we still seeing passengers who disembark in Canada being met by people who greet them in a close embrace?
And why are these returning passengers not transported to their homes in government provided and staffed vehicles to set a self-isolation precedent that communicates the seriousness of the situation, and may promote compliance? What, if any, is the follow-up on these readily traceable individuals? Why the ongoing neglect of this significant source of the COVID-19 spread?
Bat-Ami Hensen
Victoria
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