LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

We can be sensible or go to extremes

Re: Snitching for the greater good, Letter, May 14

I can’t help but agree with the view that we can enjoy a better and safer society when we are always watching and, of course, snitching on each other for transgressions against our fellow citizens. But the burden of actually recording the offence and making a report to the appropriate body is archaic and needs to move into the 21st century.

We can achieve that better society with full coverage of all streets, parks, alleys, etc., via cameras and utilize facial recognition tools and other biosensors to identify offenders with 100 per cent accuracy.

And then we can move to have cameras in our homes for full, 24 hour/day coverage of everyone.

Then and only then will we be truly safe from our neighbours and we can leave it to the government, in all its wisdom, to look after each of us.

Clay Atcheson, Calgary

It’s time to create a new normal

Re: Federal wage subsidy has seen little demand; Emergency benefit much more popular, May 14

The COVID-19 pandemic and Alberta’s spiralling economic crisis is exposing our gap-filled health and social service systems for what they really are — a threadbare fabric of society. We have now seen that many Canadians are only one paycheque away from hunger and homelessness.

The federal and provincial governments have implemented emergency support programs. In doing so at such a rapid rate, they have demonstrated that critical financial supports previously impossible, are now possible. Social workers have long advocated for a universal basic income guarantee, to address poverty, food insecurity, income insecurity and homelessness while allowing people to live with dignity.

From crisis comes opportunity to create a new normal — to implement radical system change to address poverty and ensure greater social and economic equity for all. Jody-lee Farrah, executive director, Alberta College of Social Workers

How did science, data change so fast?

Re: Top doctor urges patience in city; Delayed relaunch called ‘unfair’, Hinshaw says it puts safety first, May 15

We have been told repeatedly since the arrival of COVID-19 that decisions would be made based on the data and science. If this is the case in Alberta, how is it that the data and science changed within hours so that many business people were left holding the bag?

The decision to extend the lockdown might be sound, but the way it was handled does bring the credibility of participants in the decision-making into question. There is a political agenda simmering in the background that needs to remain silent so that the people who understand the data and science are able to do their work effectively and efficiently for Albertans.

This did not happen as the politicians seemed to have jumped the gun and made statements that were not backed up by the science and data. I prefer to hear from Dr. Hinshaw than Mr. Kenney. Randy Harris, Calgary

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Email: Letters@calgaryherald.com

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