By Pepper Parr
March 29th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
A Gazette reader made a comment on a piece we published about the Mayor’s efforts to impress upon people the need to stay at home.
The message isn’t getting through the way it has to or we will, as our reader said, all be “in lock-down”.
Here is what we received:
I live on a court and have observed a home with a single resident welcome a) a girlfriend (not living at said residence), b) an adult son (not living at said residence) and c) a cleaning lady (also, not living at said residence).
Likewise, I have noted a young couple with an 18 month old welcome one set of grandparents for playtime and a meal, and the next day another set of grandparents for playtime and a visit.
People are only willing to self-isolate and socially distance themselves if it is of no inconvenience to them.
This will inevitably force us into lock-down.
We asked for the specific address and were quite prepared to advise the Public Health Department who would send someone out with the police to “educate” the individual.
Our reader advised us that she had a talk with them.
This virus is spread from person to person. Stay at Home – please.
When it comes to closing parks this is just plain idiotic. People need fresh air and exercise. By closing some parks you are forcing people to go to the parks and trails that do remain open. This will cause more congestion in the areas that are open.
The concept of a seniors hour is a good one however they appear to be all very early in the morning. It’s a token PR gesture. I’m almost 60 and often walk with a cane. The seniors times are way too early for me 7-8. I’m not even out of bed at that time let alone dressed and at a store. I see plenty of seniors shopping later in the day. For those that are still working 7-8 might be the only time they can shop.
As to the people who have visitors. I know there are a lot of people who will disagree with me but when it comes to a private residence the choice is that of the resident and their guests. Our civil liberties are being trampled on enough as it is. Yes total lock down might kill the virus but the consequences have the potential to be more devastating and even deadlier than the virus. As for the person making these observations, you may be self isolating but do you not have anything better to do than spy on your neighbors.
Maggie, I think we have to suspend the notion for the time being that “spying on neighbours” is not okay. I have family members in Toronto whose neighbours travel regularly to Spain. These neighbours returned last week and you can be sure that those who live close by are watching them carefully for the required 14 days.
I do hope the shopping situation improves for you and that the hours become more accommodating for those with time preferences.
First I don’t need a seniors time even if I qualify. I was just pointing out that because it is so early it seems a bit of a PR gimmick. As for spying on our neighbors this is NEVER EVER OK. It will make an already bad situation worse and could lead to potential abuse. Just think of all the bogus calls to children’s aid to “get back” at a person you don’t like. I am curious about the neighbor who apparently had a talk with the so called “offenders”. Was it on the phone or did they go in person doing the very thing they were objecting to.
A big shout-out this morning to Marilus who now have a policy of only 30 customers in the store at one time plus a senior’s hour!
However, this morning I went to Walmart on Fairview for senior’s hour from 7 to 8 am. I arrived at 7:45 and while I was in the store for only 10 minutes, I observed 14 people who appeared to be under 30 shopping in the store. Allowing everyone in defeats the purpose of giving some extra protection to seniors.
Yes I was at Marilu’s on Saturday with the 30 person limit. It was very easy to avoid being near anyone else when the store was therefore quite empty. However, as Helen says below, the beach path was terribly crowded yesterday – I saw someone had posted a video of the full parking lot and lots of people crammed everywhere. This will surely result in the parking lots being closed and perhaps the path itself being closed.
Interesting that MMW quickly closed Lowville Park but not Spencer Smith–same problems, same risk profile. Not the first time that something was chosen to remain open in downtown Burlington while the same institution elsewhere in Burlington was forced to close.
I abandoned my solo walk on the beach path this afternoon between the hospital and the lift bridge as it was simply too crowded to be sure that everyone was two metres apart.
Also, at Spencer Smith Park, parents or caregivers were observed pushing young children on the swings, even though there was caution tape surrounding the swing sets. Unfortunately, the City must use their resources to dismantle the swings to protect the children from their parents or caregivers if they don’t adhere to the State of Emergency.