LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

We need to help most vulnerable access care, services they need

Re: Misguided policies are undermining the quality of life in urban centres

Kevin Falcon's opinion piece regarding society's most vulnerable is a breath of practicality that is sorely needed. In his op-ed, he praised the Building Community Society for noting that with fragmented services, this population is unable or unlikely to navigate the maze of services on their own.

Over the past four years, our family intervened and saved the life of a sibling who was destitute, suffering from long-term drug and alcohol abuse, multiple strokes and early dementia.

There is absolutely no possibility that he had the capability or will to navigate services such as arranging to see a doctor, gaining access to a counsellor, applying for a disability pension, or finding suitable accommodations.

By not looking at a solution such as utilizing lands at Riverview to erect buildings capable of dealing with those that need help, our politicians not only lack compassion but demonstrate a true lack of knowledge of the reality that exists on the streets of our cities.

Karen Tidball, West Vancouver

Vancouver has its cruel side

Thank you to Kevin Falcon for an excellent oped in The Vancouver Sun about the city's other pandemic of poorly treated mental health, homelessness, drug abuse and increased criminal behaviour. I recently had the need to visit the downtown Bay on a cold and wet Vancouver day and was appalled at the number of people sleeping all around the store, in the core of downtown.

How cruel Vancouver has become as Canada's third major city. The beaches, parks and beautiful mountains cannot make up for the heartlessness of politicians at all levels who let people of all ages suffer such indignity. Will I go downtown to shop, take in a symphony or opera, enjoy a play, visit the art gallery, eat out at a fine dining restaurant?

How can one enjoy such events when others are begging with no place to call home? And what will tourists tell their friends? Yes, a beautiful city that now reeks of urine and garbage, and where some of its most vulnerable citizens don't have the basic necessities of life. Christine Samson, Vancouver

Vaccinate health care workers Re: Home-care workers not prioritized in first phase of B.C.'S COVID-19 vaccine rollout

I read this article and learned that no vaccination had been considered for the health care workers visiting individual homes. I am currently studying to be able to take care of the elderly, and interviewed some people who had been working in this field.

One person belongs to an organization connected to Coastal Health, and she goes to visit nine clients during a seven-hour span. The following day, she visits a different group of nine people, so the caregivers are rotating. Simply put, she sees 45 people a week. If she ever gets COVID-19, it will be spread to many very quickly. Another caregiver already got infected by COVID-19. She said she might have acquired it during transportation. Some travel by car, others by bus or Skytrain. She later stayed home for a couple of weeks and got better.

According to statistics, 60 per cent of the Canadian elderly wish to stay in their own homes. This option is more sustainable and economical. The cost for a few hours for the caregiver is much lower than the hospital/hospice/longterm home care.

The care service gives some relief to the family and maintains clients' independence, freedom and dignity.

The elderly population is growing and homecare service demands are high. I wanted to keep myself healthy and wanted to help the elderly at home, but now I believe I will put myself and my family at risk.

Chiyo Buston, Burnaby

Why not walk kids to school?

Re: Idling and the health of our children Ken Donohue makes a good point, but doesn't go nearly far enough. Instead of lining up with the other SUVS outside of your kids' schools, why not walk with them? And if they go to school outside the catchment area, teach them how to use the transit system. Better for the kids and better for the planet, too.

David Paterson, Vancouver

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