DONE NOTHING WRONG
I was the subject of COVID vitriol in your Feb. 26 edition. It was made clear to me that, in the view of the two contributors, the only proper way to live my life safely is to obey the government or be subject to incarceration and fines.
This is what being Canadian stands for? Hogwash! What our provincial and federal leaders have accomplished is to create a level of unwarranted fear that pits Canadians against each other, together with the added potential for destruction of the economy.
The post mortem will be interesting. But it takes we Canadians a very very long time to lose faith in our government, no matter how incompetent.
Canadian culture is vastly different from that of the U.S.A. In the latter country, the reliance for one’s well-being is placed squarely on the individual; personal freedom is cherished and valued. In the former country, much more emphasis is placed on the individual being supported, with more reliance on the government. Neither is perfect, but it illustrates the difference in approaches to the pandemic. In one case, the government tells you what you should do to keep safe, and in the other, you are told what to do, or else.
The vaccine is only being offered to Snowbirds who are in Florida as long-term seasonal residents. Canadians must present documents in order to qualify. There is no queuejumping. Everyone is equal, and your turn is based on your age and the date you registered. This strategy is rooted in common sense.
First, the leaders realize that the Snowbirds’ contribution to the economy is important and helps to keep taxes very low and therefore should be maintained. Second, leaders realize that 200,000 unvaccinated Canadians is a potential problem for their citizens. This is a strategy based on self-interest, which includes weighing the impact on the economy. In Canada’s case, the impact on the economy doesn’t appear to have any bearing on the strategies followed.
Finally, if I return home healthy and vaccinated, how is it that my decisions were wrong? In the alternative, if I contract the virus while in the U.S., I won’t be able to return home until I’ve recovered or otherwise. Again, how have my decisions put anyone at risk other than myself?
Doug Appt, Halifax