Dear editor:

All residents of Niagara-on-the-Lake and, indeed, the Niagara region benefit from open borders with the United States.

It is probably correct to say that our economy depends a great deal on visitors from the U.S. and they have been welcome here for over a century.

We all live quite close to the border and most of us have interacted with American tourists inadvertently or socially or commercially over the years.

Such interaction has consequences, both good and bad.

I, and Niagarans I speak to, do not yet, however, wish to see the border opened up to large-scale flow of non-essential traffic.

The U.S. is still tens of millions of people away from even the first dose of vaccination and given the mindset of so many Americans in certain parts of their country, will likely never achieve any kind of so-called “herd immunity.” 

Instead, America will see the continuation of pandemic hot spots and will fight a constant battle to put out the small, localized outbreaks of COVID-19 that will inevitably continue.

These outbreaks are sparked by people carrying COVID out of the hot spots and infecting people in already “cleared” areas, especially areas where the population is anti-vaccination.

Canada needs to protect its own population, especially in view of the more serious consequences of being ill with COVID now coming to light, even after recovery and vaccination.

Instead, let's encourage the already substantial flow of Ontarians and Canadians from all over our country to experience all the natural beauty of the region, the cuisine and, of course, the excellent wines, complemented by a burgeoning micro-brewing scene and local distilleries.

Kaspar Pold
NOTL