Short-sighted decisions by politicians may have cost lives
If you are left scratching your head about why it took our public health officers so long to recommend wearing face masks in public, especially when most of the rest of the world has insisted on it for weeks, you are not alone.
Not wanting to pick on our public health officers because I truly believe they have done a pretty good job under very difficult circumstances, but I find it quite distressing to watch them twist themselves into pretzels trying to explain their about-face on face masks. The most often-used explanations were that there was no proof the masks worked, and even if they did, we may misuse them.
Well, even if you’re not sure they work, wouldn’t it still be wise to err on the side of caution and recommend them anyway, just in case they do work? Also, if you think we might misuse them, why not just explain how to use them properly?
It seems that the real concern was more to do with Canada’s inadequate supply of masks, the result of our federal government’s decision to destroy millions two years ago, and to send further millions to China earlier this year. Clearly, these short-sighted decisions by our political leaders left us vulnerable. As a result, our public health officers were put in an untenable position and lives may have been lost. Andrew Saxton, former MP for North Vancouver
Masks in school?
Re: This is no time to gamble with our children’s lives
Reading the letter from Geraldine Lazaruk, I can identify with her concerns about the risk of reopening schools. Watching the TV news, it would appear it remains to be seen how many will attend on this part-time basis.
One parent interviewed thought there were lessons to be learned about good health practices, another was fearful. Reporters noted the precautions that were being taken — hand washing, sanitizers, distancing, and frequent cleaning and regular deep-cleaning. However, I noticed that few were wearing masks.
As I understand it, my wearing a non-surgical mask protects others from me, but offers me no protection. Health officials have recently explained that wearing of masks should occur when distancing is a problem. So why not in schools? Perhaps a new dress code? Dennis Rankin, Surrey
Consult the sports teams
The provinces and country may have “done their best” in uncertain times, but they have certainly failed to learn from past experiences, failed to plan ahead, and failed to consider all possibilities — one failure being to open playing fields without involving sports teams.
I don’t personally care much about the NHL or CFL, but I still care a lot about local sports teams as I have a connection to them as a past player of amateur sports.
Wake up, Premier John Horgan and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Patrick Longworth, Penticton