Majority suffer for failures of few

Ontario families are suffering not only the mental anguish of school closures, lost jobs and shutdowns while fighting the COVID -19 pandemic, but are angry at those who will not follow the simple guidelines related to wearing a mask, social distancing, washing hands and avoiding large crowds.

These people who feel they are above the fray are often responsible for the very lockdowns that government officials must order to control the spread of COVID-19, while also leading to fewer life-saving and urgent cancer or cardiac surgeries being performed due to hospitals being overwhelmed with new Covid-related cases.

It also makes me angry to read about politicians who feel an entitlement to blatantly disregard any stayat-home orders by taking unwarranted trips outside the country, while we must suffer the social and economic fallout of this pandemic.

Why is it always the majority of people that must suffer due to the failures of just a few who feel privileged enough to do whatever they want, no matter who suffers the consequences?

I believe those who do not follow the COVID-19 rules, or just circumvent stay-at-home orders, should be treated harshly by appropriate fines.

They, ultimately, are responsible in many cases for the financial pain of not only businesses and citizens alike, but the social and mental pain suffered by all of us due to our inability to visit family and friends.

Peter J Middlemore Sr., Windsor