Stay the course, mayor advises
On Friday, residents across British Columbia waited to learn what the next steps will be as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic in our province.
During her update, Dr. Bonnie Henry asked everyone to “stay the path to buy time” and allow the provincewide immunization program to get up and running to a greater capacity. She announced that the restrictions on gatherings and events will remain in place until further notice. But she also provided a ray of hope, noting that she will continue to review and consider opportunities for some restrictions to be eased and some activities to resume as soon as it is safe to do so.
This last year has been full of challenges for all of us, with some being impacted greater than others. The changes we’ve experienced — the adaptations we’ve had to make, the new processes and operations we’ve had to develop within our everyday lives — are wearing on most of us. I am tremendously grateful and proud of how our citizens have rallied around one another, how you have faced adversity, and taken action to protect your families, your colleagues, your neighbours, and our community as a whole.
On behalf of the city, I offer my sincere condolences to all those who have lost loved ones, near and far, to the COVID-19 virus. In these last weeks, as we’ve heard about increased cases in our community and the passing of some of our own residents, we are reminded of the gravity of what we are facing on a global scale. Our hearts are with those who are grieving and our commitment remains to do what we can to help continue to slow and contain the spread of this virus that has already changed so much of our world.
Thank you for following the guidance and directives of our Provincial Health Officer. We know this last year has not been easy, but we also know that our actions and choices to stay apart, stay local and stay safe do make a difference.
Let’s continue to stay the path, be patient and be kind, until we can be together again.
Victor Cumming, mayor, City of Vernon
TORONTO — The Toronto Maple Leafs will be without Wayne Simmonds until mid-March.
The team has announced the bruising winger is set to miss six weeks after suffering a broken wrist in Saturday night’s 5-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks.
Simmonds, 32, scored twice in the game, but took a clearing attempt off his left arm in the third period. The injury was looked at by a trainer on the bench before Simmonds headed to the locker room for more treatment.
The Toronto native, who signed a oneyear, US$1.5-million contract in free agency, had put up five goals in his last six outings.
The net-front presence on one of Toronto’s potent, balanced power-play units, Simmonds skated with John Tavares and William Nylander as part of the Leafs’ second line.