Dear Editor:
It has been a few weeks but that July 30 letter from Doreen Henschel, who values her freedom and privacy so much so that she wouldn’t leave her name at a restaurant, is still galling me. We all value that. But fear and panic are not a plan. These are crazy times and we are in the midst of an unprecedented pandemic.
People have brains to use, and this horrible COVID-19 virus that is transmitting and spreading the disease does not. It’s paranoid people who are prolonging the outcome of this pandemic. Some still insist on drinking that Jonestown Kool-Aid and, like Jonestown, the big question is, why? It’s clear from the Land-of-the-Free and Home-of-the-Brave that an, “I don’t care. I’m not sick. It’s fake news!” attitude is the reason the pandemic’s spread is continuing. And will continue.
In an attempt to clarify, she writes again on her “Private information” letter of August 13. And riles me yet again. She wants her health information coming from her doctor not the bar staff. And what about the others in the room? Some may not have a doctor?
And wouldn’t you want to know if another patron was spewing COVID-19?
Please, give your head a shake. For all anyone knows, you or your partner could be asymptomatic, spreading the virus unknowingly. How do the others get to find out if you didn’t leave your name and number in order to be tracked so they can be tested and isolate if you’re transmitting and now they are incubating your virus for two weeks, spreading it around while doing so?
All of us desperately want to be in a safe environment ASAP – BUT one where we can keep from contracting and/or spreading the virus. So, kudos to those restaurants and bars that are opening up and who care enough to track its patrons. Be grateful they are still there; some did not survive the shutdown.
Like all front-line workers, these establishments need everyone’s support now. So treat yourself and patronize them by booking a table in advance, ordering-in, call ahead for take-out (give your name and number), pick up at a drive through. We are ALL going to be paying for this pandemic for a very long time.
For a whole lot of folks, this is more than just a matter of suffering and getting sick. It’s a matter of life and death.
Judy Wiebe,
Elora