Shame on protesters
Dear Editor:
RE: Delegation calls for end to state of emergency, asks council to stand up against mask order, Sept. 24.
Here we go again! “I have the right not to wear a mask.”
In my opinion, these people have a “me, myself, and I” attitude with no respect for their fellow mankind, while most of us try to do our part to fight this deadly 2020 world pandemic.
The protestors, with banners in hand, march our streets while they spread this beast.
Would these people stand in a chemical war where people gasp for breath and say, “No mask for me!” They, before anyone else, would be the first to frantically grab the mask from the shelf.
This COVID-19 virus is a silent killer. No one knows who is spreading it to whom.
I believe the prime minister needs to order everyone to wear this tiny mask, so people stay safe while our economy tries to recover from its damaged state.
We will never keep this killer under control if everyone is not on the same page. Come on people, give your head a shake. You could be next to die or be affected by its lingering side effects after recovery.
Thank you to all who have done their part to help us. We know you are exhausted from your commitment over these eight months. Your wounds show your fight for our survival.
Shame on all protesters without a drop of compassion.
Lorna Hawkins,
Rockwood
‘Should know better’
Dear Editor:
RE: Delegation calls for end to state of emergency, asks council to stand up against mask order, Sept. 24.
I have no doubt your mailbag will be filled to overflowing with indignant letters in response to the protest/presentation before Minto council asking for a lifting of the state of emergency. I would simply like to add my voice and offer what may be an unusual perspective.
Deep in my heart I am an anarchist, which means I believe no one is fit to govern me for the simple reason that I am not fit to govern anyone. However, in these extraordinary times it is morally imperative that all of us co-operate fully with all levels of government to check the spread of the COVID-19 virus and to eradicate it eventually.
It is common knowledge that a virus is spread by human contact; hence we are being told to wear masks, maintain social distancing, and limit contact to a small circle of known associates. Not one of those mandates threatens the civil liberties or “inalienable” rights guaranteed by our Charter.
But what prompted me to write this letter was the exquisite example of self-contradiction in Nichola McEwan’s presentation. She offers a universal indictment: the future she had expected for herself and her children has been replaced by an ugly world filled with “increasingly draconian measures.” Bringing her argument closer to home she insists that “we are unique and should not be subject to mandates…that may or may not be warranted in larger urban areas.” Then with a nebulous pronoun she delivers her punch-line: “This is the erosion of our values, our way of life … in this amazing community.”
Do McEwan and her cohort not realize that the very altruistic values that helped forge this rural Canadian community – one that I gratefully and proudly reside in – are the very same values she wants to trample underfoot for the sake of some remote ideal of ultimate freedom of individualism?
I return to my anarchism: I too value freedom, but my freedom ends when my actions can endanger my neighbor. If McEwan and her yahoos want to gambol maskless in the woods and fields, please do so – just make sure it’s not a public place and then self-isolate for 14 days, as common courtesy and decency would demand.
But please don’t wrap yourselves in the Charter of Rights and pretend that you are crusading for generations unborn – you are acting like spoiled, petulant children, and you should by now know a lot better.
Richard Giles,
Alma
Making it worse
Dear Editor:
RE: Delegation calls for end to state of emergency, asks council to stand up against mask order, Sept. 24.
This is a serious pandemic and silliness by people like this just makes matters worse.
The number are increasing again as we enter a second wave. Your rights are not being violated; this is an urgent medical response to keep people safe and return to some normalcy as quickly as we can. If everyone does their part, we can reach the light at the end of the tunnel.
And here I thought anti-maskers were a thing in the U.S. by the MAGA cult, but it seems we have our fair share here as well.
I thought Canadians were a lot smarter, but I guess this group proves me wrong.
John Akermanis,
Palmerston
‘Sanctimonious’
Dear Editor:
RE: Don’t be selfish – wear a mask, Sept. 24.
We cruised Wellington County in our hot rod this past Sunday. Warm sunshine, wind in our hair, listening to the tunes and observing the stunning fall colours. That’s freedom.
The Wellington County Museum and Archives honoured our mask exemption and we toured this historic site without incident. That’s respect.
Our exemption was discussed in consultation with our physician to ensure our protection and that of our community. That’s responsibility.
The Harriston magnificent dozen (the delegation to Minto council) seeks inclusion in the county process to present all sides of the mask debate. That’s fairness.
We are not children, Chris, so stop yelling at us from your sanctimonious editorial pulpit.
Doreen Henschel,
Rockwood
‘Baseless arguments’?
Dear Editor:
RE: Don’t be selfish – wear a mask, Sept. 24.
Kudos to Nichola McEwan and the group of citizens from Minto and Mapleton who showed up to the Minto town council meeting to peacefully protest against the mask mandates imposed by unelected public health departments and shame on editor Chris Daponte for demonizing these courageous people with irrational ad hominem attacks.
Mr. Daponte’s vilification of people who do not share his opinion will only serve to further polarize an already fragile and emotionally exhausted community.
People can disagree with you without being cast as pariahs and grandma killers. Believe it or not, just because some have a differing opinion on the use of masks, they are not callous nor selfish.
Public health mandates should always be questioned and those doing the questioning should never be demonized, Mr. Daponte.
Shame on you. Your rhetoric and baseless arguments potentially endanger those of us who dare to bravely stand up for truth and transparency. You unironically accuse people of ignoring science and reason and resort to name calling.
You owe the brave people who voiced their dissent using their democratic right to peaceful protest, whether you agree with them or not, a public apology.
Dr. Steven Innocente, PhD,
Elora
Help protect others
Dear Editor:
RE: Don’t be selfish – wear a mask, Sept. 24.
I am writing to tell you how much I enjoyed your editorial.
If you don’t care about yourself, fine, but what about the other person? You’re being very selfish. I guess everyone in their families are healthy, lucky you!
I have family members with low immune systems, so we try to be careful. Please, wear a mask, you could save someone’s life!
Jane Foster,
Eden Mills
‘Cognitive difficulties’?
Dear Editor:
RE: Don’t be selfish – wear a mask, Sept. 24.
I would like to commend you on your excellent editorial regarding the anti-maskers.
While the rest of the province, the country and the world strive to lessen the impact COVID-19 is having on us, I can only shake my head at the selfish individuals who think they know better than the nurses, such as your wife, than the doctors and researchers working countless hours to treat the ill and develop a vaccine, and the elected government officials who are trying to balance the rights of and to protect all citizens from the effects of COVID-19.
The anti-maskers claim to have exemptions from wearing masks. So I did an online search of exemptions. From the photo taken during their protest, they were not under the age of two; they did not appear to be exercising social distancing; they did not appear to be eating or drinking; they did not appear to be deaf or hard of hearing, so the only conclusion I could come to was that they had exemptions because of their cognitive difficulties.
Penny Esdale,
Fergus
‘Be responsible’
Dear Editor:
Why won’t young people wear a mask?
Maybe they want to be different! Or maybe brave? But they are really only showing the world “that I don’t care about your safety!”
Or maybe they’re thinking I don’t obey rules because I make my own rules! This is like a little child stamping his foot and saying “no.”
I do expect others to obey the rules of the road. Why not obey rules for health?
So, grow up. Be a citizen. Be responsible. Show us you are grown up.
Sytske Drijber,
Rockwood
‘Deadly serious’
Dear Editor:
Two television images have haunted me over the past week. The first from Belarus showed a young woman protesting against the government who stumbled, fell and then was swarmed and beaten by fully armed riot police.
The second from Ancaster, Ontario showed a solitary police officer trapped in his cruiser, unable to impact the massive illegal gathering, and being mocked and jeered by passersby.
The case in point is how we deal with large crowds gathering, despite restrictions brought on by COVID-19 and the potentially deadly consequences of inaction. Police certainly are not able to match man for man these large gatherings such as car rallies, house parties and beach gatherings, etc. Nor can police over react Belarus style.
Is there no way of convincing these people who trust safety in numbers, that COVID-19 is a real threat? The Ancaster rally was no accident. It was planned in time and in scope to defy the government’s latest attempt to control COVID-19.
People participating in these events are well past any sort of logic, reasoning, respecting others or pleading for co-operation. There must be an answer other than asking an undermanned police unit to enforce this provincial law.
How about trying this? Place a robotic drone with a high-powered camera well above the entry points to any of these events and photograph licence plates as cars enter and leave. The $750 fine is applied to all participants and added to their plate renewal before they can re-licence the vehicle. Mail the ticket, copy of the photo, and the amount of the fine ASAP! If initiators of the event can be identified, then they too will receive the additional fines already on the books.
COVID-19 is deadly serious, and it is being given renewed life by actions such as these gatherings. It’s time for the provincial government to stop threatening to take action, but follow up on their rhetoric. If logic and pleas fall on deaf ears, hit these violators at the very least in their proverbial pocketbooks.
I am personally looking forward to the upcoming Christmas season, and in no way wish to be in quarantine or restricted in much smaller and more intimate family get-togethers.
Enough is enough. These people know full well what they are doing, and frankly they don’t care. I for one can imagine how helpless that Ancaster police officer must have felt. Good on him for not doing anything he’d regret.
At the same time, hit these perpetrators head on with technology that already exists!
Ron Johnson,
Mount Forest
Bottled water issue
Dear Editor:
The problem is so simple to solve: just do not buy the water.
If no one buys bottled water the company closes, problem solved.
Robert Kay,
Palmerston
Tree research
Dear Editor:
You may have seen the Neighbourwoods inventory teams in their bright yellow T-shirts researching Centre Wellington trees this summer. If you are curious about the trees on your property, we encourage you to visit eloraenvironmentcentre.ca.
Here you will find a few simple steps that can give you a rough idea about the economic and ecological value of your leafy friends. It’s a great way to celebrate National Forest Week, and it will make you feel better when it comes time to rake!
Toni Ellis,
Neighbourwoods Coordinator
‘Golden eggs’
Dear Editor:
An open letter to all members of parliament.
According to a think tank study Canadian religious organizations contribute $67 billion to the Canadian economy each year and that makes it the ninth largest enterprise in the country.
You all may want to be careful about what laws you put in place as you may kill the goose that lays all those golden eggs for our economy.
These organizations are good for us not only morally but economically, too!
Jane Vandervliet,
Erin
Hurts landlords
Dear Editor:
Premier Doug Ford unilaterally decided to freeze residential rent increases – a real nasty move.
My taxes went up 3%, my insurance went up 24%, and my maintenance fees increased 4% on my rental properties.
Why am I, as a private citizen, subsidizing his re-election campaign? Instead of reducing my income, why did he not reduce, hydro rates, heating costs, water rates, wi-fi, and telephone costs? Instead, he took the route that will solely hurt landlords. As a matter of fact, with increased costs, my income will decrease by 8% next year.
Succinctly, I am not here to subsidize renters so that Ford can garner votes in the next election.
Jim McClure,
Crieff
Scrap bill
Dear Editor:
On March 9, 2020, the federal government introduced Bill C8, which relates to counselling someone under the age of 18 to identify with the sex they appeared to be at birth.
Bill C8 uses the word “cisgender” relating to, or being a person whose gender identity corresponds with the sex the person had or was identified as having at birth.
It also uses “conversion therapy” as a practice , treatment or service designed to change a person’s sexual orientation to heterosexual or gender identity to cisgender (birth identity) or to repress or reduce non-heterosexual attraction or sexual behaviour.
Criminal charges proposed are:
1. Causing a person to undergo conversion therapy against the person’s will
2. Causing a minor to undergo conversion therapy
3. Removing a minor from Canada to undergo conversion therapy
4. Advertising an offer to provide conversion therapy
5. Receiving a financial or other material benefit from the provision of conversion therapy
As “behavior” is included in the definition of conversion therapy, it is possible that a minister, rabbi or other religious leader (being paid by the congregation) “may” be vulnerable for two charges for counseling a youth in church doctrine.
The word “may” is important. There are exemptions including faith leaders in Bill C8, but they are not well defined and could lead to court challenges in the future. Private conversations and public expressions are not protected from criminal charges.
Reassurances from politicians that this bill will do no harm are not a substitution for scrapping Bill C8.
Chris Woode,
Fergus
