After a long run of few cases in Niagara-on-the-Lake, COVID-19 has settled into our quaint town.
With cases higher than ever before (the number of active cases this week has surpassed the total number of cases we had from March to October 2020) it is now more important than ever before to make sure we’re following the advice of public health authorities to keep ourselves and our community safe.
Our public health agency and our politicians have been clear: Now is not the time to get complacent.
Instead, now is the time to make sure we’re being extra careful and cautious. It’s time to be staying home.
But alarmingly, everywhere you look there are “COVIDiots” that aren’t taking things seriously.
Even some municipalities, like Niagara Falls, appear to be avoiding listening to health advice.
For example, the province was clear that grooming services are not essential. However, Niagara Falls decided to interpret the regulations in a different way and leave them open.
And while groomers and vets alike do agree that groomers offer an essential service, it is still the law put in place by the province. So, whether we agree or not, we’re still obligated to follow those orders.
Niagara-on-the-Lake has been great about quickly responding to new regulations. There’s plenty of information available to anyone who is wondering what is and isn’t allowed.
But until the rules are changed, now is not the time to start a revolution.
We need to be vigilant in letting the people in our lives know they have to take the virus seriously.
If one of your family members or friends is not doing their part, speak up. Educate them on how their decisions have a larger potential impact than just them possibly getting sick and dying.
What it really means is you’re putting your family, your loved ones, your friends’ families at risk.
In other words, it means is you’re selfish.
Let’s not be selfish.
To end on a positive note, we would like to applaud Niagara Long Term Care Residence and its executive director Chris Poos for the quick replies and transparency surrounding outbreaks in the Wellington Street long-term care facility.
It’s important that our community has access to all the information regarding COVID-19.
Nursing home infection stats should be available through the public health department. Unfortunately, public health hasn’t been as transparent as it could be and leaves it to individual homes to announce their case counts.
That’s why we’re relying on people like Poos to help us stay informed.
When we see the impact directly in front of us, it becomes harder for those COVIDiots to deny what’s happening.
This virus is deadly. This virus doesn’t care who you are. It doesn’t care if you don't believe it will affect you. It is dangerous.
So, let’s act accordingly.
