No exemptions
Dear Editor:
At this point in the pandemic there should be no exemption for anyone to be in a retail establishment without a face covering, unless the service requires it (i.e., restaurant).
If you don’t want to wear a face covering (or can’t) there are now alternative ways to shop for anything you need without ever entering a store. For those claiming a medical condition preventing the use of a mask there are alternative face coverings available (e.g., a plastic face shield). Without one you are more susceptible to get the virus, more likely to spread it and unlikely to survive it. You are unnecessarily endangering yourself, the staff and other customers.
Those who are falsely claiming medical exemption, to pompously weasel out of wearing a face covering, should be fined. If I was to carry around a firearm, when I got caught I’d be charged. A face covering in the current situation should be treated the same. It is not your “right” to deliberately endanger others’ lives.
A heroic example. I saw a quite elderly gentleman in a store with breathing tubes in his nose and an oxygen bottle in a sling over his shoulder, wearing a clear plastic full face shield. In a wheezy voice he said “if I get it I won’t survive it…” Then, gesturing to a young child, “if I gave it to someone else and they died because of me I’d never forgive myself.” If anyone could warrant claiming exemption it would be him, yet he has chosen to embrace the challenge and be responsible. Sir, I applaud you, and all others finding ways to accommodate for their special conditions. Bravo!
The world’s leading scientists and medical professionals are working on a vaccine and effective treatments but until those are ready it is the public’s responsibility to do everything we can to keep this virus suppressed. That should mean everyone!
Paul Dunnill,
Fergus
Arnott lauded
Dear Editor:
RE: Puslinch officials pleased Highway 6 bypass proceeding, July 23.
I am sure everyone involved in this project ever since the journey began in the early 1980s is elated. Many people, some no longer with us, worked tirelessly: residents of the township, local politicians and businesses.
Nobody worked harder than MPP Ted Arnott. He encouraged, supported, advocated and, at times, commiserated with all those involved while working across party lines to get the highway realigned. He honestly never gave up and his example kept everyone else going. A very big thank you, Ted, for everything you did to make this happen.
When I left Puslinch a little over three years ago, I jokingly said now that the Highway 6 realignment had been approved and shovels were due to go in the ground in 2019, I could safely move on!
When the Conservative government took over in 2018 they put the project on the back burner and it looked like it would never be built. Hopefully, this time, it will truly go ahead.
Sandra Solomon,
Belwood (formerly of Puslinch)
‘Stench of corruption’
Dear Editor:
New slogan: Trudeau and Morneau must immediately go.
The stench of corruption and white privilege on them and the entire Liberal government is undeniable. Their attempts to weasel out of this mess only make it worse. WE charity is apparently also a nest of corruption, deception and denial.
I have never seen this level of lying, useless meaningless apologies and total disgrace of office that these guys have shown. Resignations, criminal investigations and prison time are needed to root out the sleeze and ensure others do better.
Let’s not forget that these guys answer to the people of Canada and we should be doing our job of shaming them right out of office. We protest everything else, why not this? Corruption that is not rooted out leads to more corruption. The more there is the harder it is to get rid of and the deeper it goes.
Instead of demeaning and protesting our great Wellington County and OPP police officers, why not put that energy into getting rid of the real problem: Trudeau and Morneau?
Write your MP, tell your friends, wear a T-shirt. Do something.
Ron White,
Mount Forest
Appreciates the help
Dear Editor:
The recent high winds on July 19 caused much damage to our property. Several very large trees were twisted right off their trunks. Other large trees had several mangled branches. One tree broke a window as it fell. Our yards were covered in debris.
We took shelter in our home during the storm and were overwhelmed by the aftermath. Trees and branches everywhere. Almost right away we were visited by two sets of neighbours who dropped in to see if all was well. On finding everyone okay, we left it with them that we would tackle clean up the next day. Then three other neighbours dropped in to check on any damages. How kind of everyone to stop in.
We decided to survey the damage to our property on our ATV. As we set off, neighbours arrived with loader tractors, chainsaws and a wagon. Soon other neighbours, family and friends arrived and worked very hard cleaning up. A grandpa neighbour came with his loader tractor and flat wagon to transport debris to a pile behind the house. More family members arrived and even in-laws! Everyone worked so hard and so cheerfully. It was a hubbub of activity and what once seemed like a mountain of work was soon completed and we shared stories over a quick supper.
The next day more neighbours and friends arrived with rakes and sweepers and helpful, cheerful attitudes. Debris was raked into piles to be picked up later. Tree trunks were dragged away by tractor.
Friends and neighbours continued to stop in all week to help with what needed to be done.
We are including so many details in this letter to emphasize this spontaneous act of kindness by so many people in our community. The cheerful “let’s get at it” attitude was so appreciated by us.
We are truly blessed to live in a community of kind, caring people – both young and old (from one year old to let’s just say over 70!). We want to express to all those who helped us that we appreciate all that you did.
Thank you so much. In trying to give our thanks one neighbour replied, “You’re welcome – it’s just what neighbours and friends do”.
Thanks again neighbours, friends and family.
Gerald and Mary Townsend,
Arthur
A ‘wonderful place’
Dear Editor:
RE: McClintocks close only public access to Puslinch Lake, July 23.
Tell me about the good old days … well, maybe some don’t wish to hear this, but here goes.
During the 1950s going out to swim or have a picnic at the public access beach (called Butlers) on Puslinch Lake was the most fun for a kid from town.
On Saturdays there would be a little hut part way up the driveway going in. There your parents would hand over a fee to enter the park. There were swings, slides and a little sand pit area.
Mostly people from Hespeler would go out there to enjoy the water on a hot summer day. We’d have a picnic lunch at one of the many picnic tables available.
At one point, we had neighbours who moved out there and owned a lovely brick home on Puslinch Lake. When we were invited there, we could run off the dock and jump right in to the water, avoiding the mud bottom near shore. Some years later, Dr. McClintock actually purchased this house for his family.
Glad we were able to enjoy it when we were kids. The world seemed like such a simple wonderful place back then.
Elizabeth Hughes,
Puslinch
Vouching for vitamins
Dear Editor:
RE: Vitamin supplementation (Letter to the Editor and the Editor’s note), July 23.
The editor’s note regarding my article on vitamin D3 suggests that I overlooked the aspect of causation. Actually, conducting a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study to show causation would be unethical and immoral.
In order to conduct such a study, vitamin D3 would have to be completely withheld for the control subjects. Such a human trial violates the Nuremberg Code and the Declaration of Helsinki which spelled out the guidelines for clinical trials.
Side-stepping biomedical responsible conduct of research is an abuse of human rights. The recent scientific article (Biesalski, 2020) is one of the many authoritative papers showing immunological and cardiovascular benefits of vitamin D3.
Failure to address the benefits of vitamin D3 in fighting COVID-19 is a major shortfall of public health.
John Scott,
Fergus
*Editor’s note: The purpose of last week’s note was not to suggest the letter writer overlooked causation, it was simply to stress that there is no evidence showing vitamin D can help people exposed to COVID-19. To date, to the best of our knowledge, that remains the case.
Love and support
Dear Editor:
Recently, my husband Rick and I were mentioned in an article submitted to the Senior Lifestyles section by Don Wildfong on behalf of the Waterloo Wellington Older Adult Strategy initiative.
My thanks to Don for his kind words, but also thank you to our family of friends in the Elora – Fergus Community.
From Rick’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis in February of 2015, his lymphoma diagnosis in October 2018 and his passing in February 2019 and now through COVID-19, you gathered around us and now me with love and support that is invaluable.
Thank you. May you continue to stay safe and lead the way.
Colleen Roberts,
Elora
Fantastic frontline folks
Dear Editor:
We have all become familiar with “thanks for frontline workers” on the TV, radio and signs around the countryside, but one doesn’t fully appreciate the sentiment until experienced first hand.
I recently spent time in Guelph General Hospital receiving operations on both legs, including a femoral bypass on one. The day following surgery, I was quickly returned to the OR, when part of the incision opened and heavy bleeding occurred. It was repaired, but I required 4 units of blood!
My sincere thanks to the doctors, medical practitioners, blood takers, medication and meal bringers, physiotherapists, cleaners and post-op home care – but in particular, the nursing staff.
Whilst constantly wearing masks, they treated me with care and attention as if I was the only one there, even though hundreds were being cared for 24/7, many of whom were in worse shape than I, but they still maintained a sense of humour.
There are far too many to thank individually, but you know who you are. Now I can sincerely say, “Thank you front line workers.” Bless you all!
Barry Swanson,
Wellington North
Rights eroded?
Dear Editor:
Our rights are slowly but surely being eroded using the excuse of COVID-19.
Case in point: my husband and I dropped into a pub in Waterdown to have a brew on the patio. The teenager at the door asked for our contact information. We said “no.” She advised that it is for our own health and safety and to inform us if there’s a COVID case reported. We said we do not need or want that information. We were shown to our table and provided menus and cutlery.
Shortly after that a man came to our table and told us we would not be served unless we gave him our personal information.
Again we said “no.” He said “no info, no service.” We advised him that you cannot demand private information as a prerequisite for service, therefore you are discriminating and breaking the law.
He said, “I don’t care,” and we were tossed out.
This from a business that depends on our patronage for its very survival? The manager did not care about the rule of law or our rights. I wonder what he would have done with our personal information if we had provided it!
Doreen Henschel,
Rockwood