Quebec border checks an outrage
Re: Quebec police set up checkpoints at Ottawa-Gatineau border crossings, April 1. The decision of Quebec Premier François Legault to deploy police to the crossings of the Ottawa River in Ottawa-Gatineau is a measure disconnected from any public health goal, and is an outrage. This is a single community, whether the old separatist likes it or not.
Talk about closing the barn door after the horse has bolted: These two populations are utterly intermixed, and wasting the time of overstressed first-responders will not undo whatever community spread of COVID-19 has already established itself.
Joel Henderson, Hull
Quebec cops should be wearing masks
Regarding the page one photograph of vehicles being stopped on the bridge, why is the Sûreté du Québec officer not wearing a mask? Surely, given the number of people he comes into contact with each day, he should be wearing one.
He is potentially spreading the COVID-19 virus to everyone with whom he comes into contact.
Judith Lishman, Ottawa
Are police staying two metres away?
Are the Quebec police staying two metres away from the motorists they are interviewing on the bridges to Gatineau? If they are not staying the proper physical distance, they are a vector for COVID-19 transmission. Anyone being interviewed should request that the police keep two metres away from their car.
Stay in your own neighbourhoods
I live in a small tourist village north of Gatineau, where today, and any other day when it’s not raining during this isolation period, you’ll see cars with Ontario plates cruising all over the place.
It is disheartening for the people in my community to see that some of you care so little about the safety and lives of our most vulnerable residents that you would risk their lives by getting out of your cars, walking around to sightsee, filling your water bottles at the local spring, and shopping in our few grocery stores — all because you are bored and looking for something to do.
To those people who have chosen to stay home, walk in your own neighbourhoods and shop only when necessary: thank you. I know I can’t wait to welcome you back. And to those who choose to use our small villages as your entertainment: stop. No one appreciates your actions or your presence right now.
Kim Misner, Wakefield, Quebec
Rent strikes hurt tenants in long run
Re: We’re choosing to keep our rent, and we’re asking you to join us, April 1.
This article makes me sad. Why? Because ultimately rent strikes and similar actions will hurt tenants, especially the most vulnerable in our society.
If you were thinking to get into the landlord business after this, you probably wouldn’t because you can see the risk is too high. If you are in the business, some will leave because of the sleepless nights this kind of action is causing, especially if it has any kind of success.
Why should you care about the small landlord? Well they make up approximately 50 per cent of all rental housing (according to CMHC in 2017). If we discourage them from entering the business or encourage them to leave, we will drive rental housing availability down (and rents up). Further, those who remain will be very risk-averse when selecting new tenants. This disproportionately impacts the most vulnerable and those on assistance.
If our priority is housing availability, then actions such as what Sam Hersh is suggesting will actually have negative consequences as we exit the C-19 lockdown. Instead, let’s figure out how to get more people into the rental housing business and make it more competitive, which will in turn moderate rents and improve tenant service.
Christian Szpilfogel, Ottawa
Essential workers need bathrooms
There is a wee problem that I’ve not heard mentioned during this pandemic. People employed by companies that are considered essential, and who work solely out of their vehicle, do not carry a toilet with them.
I know of someone who delivers ready-made meals (not restaurant food) to people’s homes, mainly seniors, and is on the road all day, from Almonte to Russell. Businesses that are still open, such as food outlets, gas bars and so on, are now refusing to allow her to use their washroom facilities. This problem would also apply to courier drivers.
Please, if you own a business that is still open, and have the facilities, could you please give people employed in this type of job a bathroom break?
Karen Hamilton, Kemptville
Let’s make some streets car-free
Re: COVID-19 — Here’s why City of Ottawa should open some street space for pedestrians, March 31.
Michelle Perry is correct about the need to open more space for people during COVID-19. Physical distancing is achieved by having more available space rather than discouraging active lifestyles.
So, make some roads car-free. Prevent unnecessary proximity to others by reducing ridiculously long wait times for walk signals to cross near-empty roads. Have the NCC remove the lingering snow from our fabulous recreational trails. Together we can end the COVID-19 epidemic without aggravating the obesity one.
David Sweanor, Ottawa
Close Bank Street? Ask Elgin shops
Some people think Bank Street should be closed to automobile traffic. Before going down that road, maybe it would be a good idea to speak to the people from Elgin Street. That street was closed for months last year and is closed again this year.
Speak to those who had to close their businesses, either temporarily or forever. Ask them how much money they lost. Maybe that was their retirement fund. Ask about the employees who lost their jobs and could have been out of a job for a long time. Ask about their clients who found other places to shop, and may not go back to their store.
Some people don’t seem to think about the consequences of their “well-intentioned” ideas.
Andrée Champagne, Ottawa
You can still help clean up parks
The Katimavik-Hazeldean Community Association would like to suggest to all Ottawa residents that the biannual cleanup of city parks and roadways, by volunteers, can still proceed even with social distancing.
Get some fresh air and exercise by taking a bag on your daily walk, and pick up the garbage you see in your local parks. It can be a bit embarrassing at first, but you will be thanked by your neighbours and set a good example for the kids.
Some areas, such as ours, keep track of which parks have been cleaned, so if possible please let your respective community association know.
Many local community associations are listed at fcafac.ca
Steve Anderson, President, Katimavik-Hazeldean Community Association ( khca.on.ca)
Let’s hope positives become permanent
In this global COVID-19 storm, people have begun to see the silver lining.
For example, musicians of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra played virtually together and produced a masterpiece in Appalachian Spring; individuals and nations are sharing medical equipment; pollution levels are decreasing; family time is increasing; and more people are turning to God.
I hope and pray the positives become permanent after the storm has passed, and the silver lining becomes shining daylight.
Muneer Ahmad Khan, Ottawa
Hat’s off to Citizen and delivery people
I’m one of those people who looked forward to the Ottawa Citizen every day. It’s part of my day and I’m so happy that I’m still receiving it.
My hat is off to all the writers, editors, press people and especially the people who deliver the Citizen every morning, come rain or shine, and good and bad weather. Thank you all so very much; I really appreciate everything you all do.
Happy, happy anniversary.
Jim Fermoyle, Kanata