To the editor:
We are now in a fourth wave of this horrible pandemic. We are told that most of those in hospitals with COVID-19 are not vaccinated, and others who have been vaccinated. The variants are driving our population to distraction. The province's business sector has been carrying on, doing business in a safe and managed manner. There are many questions being asked by the public with regards to our health and safety.
- 1. How will the unvaccinated affect the opening of the economy? Will there be another closure?
- 2. How can we be expected to visit entertainment, sporting and cultural/festival events safely?
- 3. Do those unvaccinated have a responsibility to get vaccinated?
- 4. Will the opening of our schools carry with it a threat of super spreading events?
The provincial and municipal authorities tell us that there is a minor threat of COVID in our schools, so long as the staff and 12 years old + students are vaccinated. This directive was given in my opinion way too late in the summer.
The authorities seem to have allowed businesses to develop their own policies for the management of their functional safety and operation. The establishment of a COVID passport/certificate in Ontario is a possibility.
Our provincial government continues with its on-the-fence attitude toward public health and safety.
Encouraging the population to wear masks and get vaccinated. Their COVID medical club of 500 specialists is being disbanded.
It seems The Ford government has set an agenda for itself, then using so called medical specialists as agents of good or bad news, diverting any blame or error from the administration and placing it onto others. Our provincial government has been on the re-election trail all along.
The administration's decisions regarding the protection of seniors, school children, and those working in essential industries have suffered because of this government's inaction, indecisiveness and tainted public policy. Our premier may have allowed his attitudes toward the protection of Ontario's corporate business sector to influence his public health policy and support of industry management who were under attack due to their mismanagement of various industries such senior living centers and meat packers to name a few.
How can Ontarian's go to the theatre, see the Blue Jays or Raptors, or enjoy a busy festival safely when someone who sits beside us, stands behind us, or walks alongside us could be infected with COVID?
I have spoken to friends who have travelled by plane, and I can assure you their blood pressure and stress levels were not stable. I visited our ill grandma and must say when the little children ran around us, I too cinged.
I simply don't know where or when my family will be safe. So long as our neighbours refuse to be vaccinated, this fear of the possible will exist. I have had to eject customers from my place of business because they apparently cannot read the signs posted saying "No vaccination - No Entry".
This is not a joke. I know of friends and neighbours who have died from this virus and have had their health damaged for a long time to come.
I don't know what I will do when someone will again verbally assault me while I go to the bank, or makes rude commentary while I stand in line at the grocery store because I wear a mask. Perhaps September will be a better month for us all.
Steven Kaszab,
Bradford, Ontario
