OPENING TOO SLOWLY

I suspect that the majority of those in favour of the province’s slow opening and isolationist outlook, either work for one level of government or another, are on a government pension of some kind or another or are on some level of government subsidization. We all know that the Island is No. 1 of the Canadian provinces when it comes to public servants per 100,000 population. Those of us making a living by working in the private sector, arguably the most productive sector in the economy, do not have the luxury of a constant income whether they go to work or not. Do people think that the virus will never again make its way to the Island? The only way to ensure that is to never again open the province. As more information becomes obvious that we should have isolated the old and the sick and continued on for the remainder of us. That is the only way we will ever get to a herd immunity level, as we have for other viruses. Yes, we can wait for a vaccine. If it becomes available in the minimum 12 months expected, we can all be vaccinated by July 2021. And even then, it is expected that this vaccine, like other flu vaccines, will not be completely effective. Add in the effect of the anti-vaccine crazies and there will always be COVID-19 cases to scare us into hibernation. You can bet that the province will be lobbying the federal government this fall to reduce the number of weeks required for EI. Either that or the seasonal workers not working their traditional seasonal jobs will be on the province’s tab, social assistance.

Brian Smith, Souris