Take a moment to聽celebrate
This is time to celebrate. Citizens of B.C. have all contributed to the success of having some restrictions lifted.
We have isolated, which has led to a much lower rate of outbreaks. We banged our pans and followed the good instructions from Dr. Bonnie Henry and we have all made it safer for the citizens who live in one of the most beautiful places in the country.
Our doctors phoned us to make us feel more secure. Many worked to keep us safe.
If we look around we can see the situation and my flowers look more vibrant today. Thank you everyone who made lifting restrictions possible.
Diana Satok
Sidney
MLAs must return to聽the legislature
Re: 鈥�In handling of pandemic, we need to hear opposing and questioning voices,鈥� commentary, May 5.
Thank you Bob Plecas for hitting the nail on the head. In a democracy, you need more perspectives, not less. Bonnie Henry is an expert on medical matters, but where are the other voices? If there were others at the table, maybe Dr. Henry would be less inclined to stray from her area of medical expertise, which is the virus, not the legal rights of First Nations communities.
No government policy comes without unanticipated consequences. Often those consequences are far more negative than what the planners anticipated.
Since no one can anticipate the future, this is a problem we have to live with. But the likelihood of unanticipated negative consequences can be minimized by remaining true to the process of civil debate. That is, after all, how democracy works.
In a crisis it is tempting to ignore dissenting voices, but I agree with Plecas when he says that the real test of our civil and democratic institutions occurs precisely when things aren鈥檛 going smoothly. In terms of process, this means that MLAs have a duty to return to the legislature.
Richard van Oort
Victoria
Wanting to know Island locations
Questions that should be answered:
Why are we not being informed (with numbers of cases) of the actual locations i.e. the towns on the Island affected by the virus? We do not wish to know identities.
It is not even a consistent policy, as places on the mainland are identified and not hidden under the bogus excuse of privacy concerns.
Why are we not being advised to wear face coverings? This has been proven effective against the virus in many other countries. The excuse that we do not know how to handle these masks smacks of kindergarten.
It is time the people of British Columbia got together and demanded these answers from our elected officials.
Kate Hanley
Victoria
Asking the questions that must be asked
Re: 鈥淚n handling of pandemic, we need to hear opposing and questioning voices,鈥� commentary, May 5.
This is the first time I have heard someone voice what everyone I talk to is feeling, and it is so refreshing to finally see something published that asks the questions that most people that think for themselves, are feeling.
The media used to be brave enough to question those in positions of power, now we have sheep who herd together to just listen and report what they hear, for the most part.
Karen Jensen
Victoria
Not a time for divisive聽politics
With regard to the article written by Bob Plecas, I would advise that in times of crisis, such as we are currently in the middle of experiencing, is not a time for divisive party politics.
Jennifer Shore.
Victoria
Love for cars in the聽COVID-19 age
While at a recycling facility today, a guy beside me offered he wanted to have sex with my classic car. I may have to extend social distancing to a car length.
Grant Maxwell
Nanaimo
Applause for ban on聽assault weapons
Re: 鈥�Trudeau announces ban on 1,500 types of 鈥榤ilitary-grade鈥� guns,鈥� May 1.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau鈥檚 proposed ban on military-type assault weapons is to be applauded.
One only has to look south of the border to see the effects of unrestricted sale and ownership of such weapons.
Just this past week a gang of armed men carrying assault weapons attempted to enter the Michigan capitol building with the purpose of intimidating the state government into relaxing measures intended to combat the spread of COVID-19.
One can only imagine what attracts some people to ownership and display of weapons of war. These weapons are certainly not suitable for sport hunting.
The U.S is the only nation in the industrial world that allows unrestricted ownership of such weapons. Do we want this in Canada?
It is shocking that political leaders such as Andrew Scheer and Peter MacKay would support private ownership of weapons of war.
Harvey Williams
Victoria
Journalism essential service in democracy
Re: 鈥�How your newspaper is adapting and delivering in difficult times,鈥� Dave Obee, May 2.
It is good to read that Dave Obee, editor and publisher of the Times 91原创 is so committed to the continuation of this newspaper.
Newspapers and journalists are the eyes and ears of the workings of governments and the wider world and indeed, in a democracy, are an essential service.
Unfortunately, for so many nowadays, news intake has been reduced to glancing at headlines put out on social media.
When it comes to election campaigns, many voters are influenced by the catchy, feel-good phrases dreamed up by public relations outfits hired by governments.
So thank you Times 91原创 for your commitment to the future of journalism. Society needs you.
Christine Benn
Victoria
The birds and聽the聽buses
For years I haven鈥檛 heard the birds sing in Victoria.
The noise from cars must have drowned out their songs.
Let鈥檚 take this opportunity when life returns to normal, to expand, improve and drastically lower fares to encourage ridership of public transportation.
It isn鈥檛 just the birds, it is the world and all of us that are in peril from climate change.
Nicola Ferdinando
Victoria
A resident asks: don鈥檛 come to Hornby now
Residents of Hornby Island are highly stressed at thought of the coming summer and COVID-19.
We are isolating, distancing, wearing masks, using sanitizers, and looking after each other. Many of us are seniors.
Despite the increased risk to our small community, we have no control over travellers coming to the Island: campers, backpackers, vacation home renters or second home owners. Their state of health or abilities to isolate effectively are unknown.
Our population can increase from 800 to 900 permanent residents to 5,000 to 6,000 people in a weekend. Some want to come to a 鈥渟afe鈥� island, but that will stress limited services and jeopardize the safety of full-time residents.
We have a community clinic with a single doctor and one registered nurse; protecting them is imperative or we will have no emergency medical care. Protecting first responders and firefighters is absolutely essential. Grocery staff, who shop for us in the closed-to-the-public store, provide a crucial service by supplying food.
We understand the economic impact on small businesses, but this is not the time to visit Hornby Island.
We deeply appreciate those who have refrained from non-essential travel. When the risk to our residents鈥� safety is significantly reduced, we will again welcome guests and our extended Hornby 鈥渇amily鈥� to visit.
Mary MacKenzie
Hornby Island
Send us your letters
鈥� Email: [email protected]
鈥� Mail: Letters to the editor, Times 91原创, 2621聽Douglas St., Victoria, B.C. V8T 4M2.
Letters should be no longer than 250 words and may be edited for length, legality or clarity. Include your full name, address and telephone number. Avoid sending letters as an email attachment Copyright of letters or other material accepted for publication remains with the author, but the publisher and its licensees may freely reproduce them in print, electronic and other forms.
