LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Losing confidence in Premier Legault

Re: “Legault's Christmas compromise is a game of COVID-19 roulette (Josh Freed, Nov. 28)

As a lifelong Liberal, I was prepared to give Premier François Legault the benefit of the doubt when the pandemic hit Quebec. I felt his “fireside chats” instilled confidence in the direction the province was taking to combat the virus in spite of it being uncharted territory for all of us.

Legault's lack of decisiveness and openness in recent months have made me rethink my opinion of his ability to confront the reality of the situation. I've been disheartened by his reluctance to mandate masks for all children in our schools, his not being realistic about the return to school in January for all students, his four-day

Christmas holiday that could be a superspreader event, and, now, what appears to be a total lack of openness regarding ventilation in our schools.

We need to follow the science and experts at all times regarding the pandemic if we are to effectively combat this crisis.

Paul Saunders, Lachine

Aislin's cartoon was sheer genius

Aislin's Saturday Gazette cartoon was sheer genius, a biting but honest commentary on our government's contrarian and inept advice to go ahead and celebrate Christmas get-togethers despite a raging pandemic. Shame on our public health leaders for advising the government to pursue such absurd public health policy.

J. Graham Pratt, MD, Westmount

Australians get it, Canadians don't

Re: “We can learn from Australia” (Letters, Nov. 28)

David Fish correctly refers to how well Australia responded to the pandemic and why their numbers are virtually zero. I can't imagine the same process succeeding here, as the backlash from people protesting the “suppression of their rights” wouldn't allow it. As recently as two weeks ago, people in my neighbourhood had a party in their backyard. Australians and others get it, we don't. Simple as that.

David Bernstein, Dollard-des-ormeaux

Make anti-maskers pay for COVID care

Re: “Memo to protesters from the front lines” (Letters, Nov. 27)

Sondra Sherman writes “I suggest these anti-maskers sign a document in which they would refuse hospital care and ICU admission if they get COVID.”

I suggest something that would make a bigger impression on these anti-maskers: giving them all the medical care they need, but requiring them to pay for it. Their medicare would be rescinded for COVID care.

The money collected would then go to help people in need and the many health-care professionals working hard in sometimes difficult situations to keep us healthy.

These people should be made to pay for their COVID folly, and it would show them the costs associated with their anti-mask stance.

Gordon Degrandis, Lasalle SHARE YOUR VIEWS: letters@montrealgazette.com