It鈥檚 high-pollen season in Greater Victoria
I鈥檝e noted people sneezing and coughing in public places in Victoria, and suspect that others around them may be mentally castigating them as irresponsible in this time of pandemic.
Sneezing and coughing, of course, should be covered up, but I just want to remind everyone that this is high pollen season, and that many Victorians are reacting to the pollen emissions of our many colourful trees and plants.
Pollen season continues until about mid May.
There are antidotes available for pollen irritants, such as sinus saline rinses, allergy shots and tablets. Some are quite effective, but not always. Please be aware of this before passing judgment on those who cannot restrain a sneeze.
Ken Orchard
Victoria
Thank you to Royal Jubilee Hospital staff
Having just been released from Royal Jubilee Hospital鈥檚 cardiovascular unit with a new lease on life, I must acknowledge the entire staff, which I鈥檓 sure reflects all Canadian health-care facilities.
The kitchen staff, janitors, aides, nurses, doctors, desk workers, first responders, literally everyone continuing to work there to keep this incredible facility fully functioning, deserve our admiration and heartfelt thanks.
They risk exposure to COVID-19 and other diseases because it鈥檚 their passion and calling. Every day they save the lives of strangers by just doing their jobs. Like many, I owe them my life. Every one of these people is more than a hero.
Barry Obermeyer
Duncan
Big thank you to marine pilots
A huge thank you to sa国际传媒 coastal marine pilots.
Without you, many essential supplies could not be delivered to Vancouver or Seattle.
Hopefully, when you transfer from the pilot boat to a freighter you are not leaping into the unknown but into an environment that has been made safe for you.
Peter Denby
Victoria
A new way forward after pandemic
Victorians can be justly proud of the overwhelming support for the Rapid Relief Fund, which has raised an unprecedented $4 million in just over two weeks. It demonstrates our humanity and concern for those most in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We still don鈥檛 know how long the crisis will last, locally or globally. Some researchers suggest that a better model of the pandemic is a series of undulating waves, rather than a single peaked curve. In addition, some communities appear more or less vulnerable to the spread of the virus.
It is essential that we not delay actions needed to address the various social, economic, and environmental problems we were experiencing before this crisis began; they will still be with us when the pandemic is over.
Now is an opportune time to think creatively to solve these problems. It is becoming clear that the old economic model of competition and warfare has led to the exploitation and destruction of many Indigenous cultures and natural ecosystems. A new moral and ethical code is needed to replace mass consumerism and limitless growth as a rationale for our existence.
When the pandemic is over, we should not only be thankful but also use the model of the Rapid Relief Fund as an example of success 鈥� by working together toward a common cause 鈥� the survival of humans on planet Earth.
Think cooperation, consensus and peace. It can happen, if we will it so.
Thor Henrich
Victoria
Donate savings to less聽fortunate
I would likely to thank the sa国际传媒, the Victoria Foundation and the Jawl Family for their amazing efforts to rally our community around the Rapid Relief Fund to help those less fortunate. There is likely not another of this magnitude in sa国际传媒.
I have already made two donations and plan on doing more. I know that we are all conserving our resources. However, we are spending a small fraction of our monthly disposable income while quarantining at home. Therefore, there might be room for those that have not yet done so to make a personal donation to this important cause from those variable costs not being expended.
I figure that 50% of my monthly overhead is fixed and 50% is variable; my variable expenses are almost non-existent at the moment. Why not donate some of that as a goodwill gesture?
Please consider helping out as this is a very important time for our community.
Nick Gudewill
Victoria
Camp in Topaz Park must be temporary
Re: 鈥淚sland Health nixes idea of putting homeless in Royal Athletic Park,鈥� April 8.
I wonder how many residents living near Topaz park knew this was only a matter of time. I believe there was never any intention of putting the homeless in Beacon Hill Park nor Royal Athletic Park. A homeless camp in Topaz Park was proposed in 2015 and we rallied against it. Unfortunately because of COVID-19 our hands are tied. When the threat is over I fully intend to protest if the 鈥渢emporary鈥� camp is not removed. I hope we can organize against the camp like we did before. This time we will need to protest at city hall and the legislature building.
Kathy Scavarda
Victoria
Touch the produce only if you鈥檙e buying it
In the supermarket I shopped at in Europe last year, they frowned upon you if you picked up any piece of produce with your bare hands. Flipping it around to feel it and putting it back on the shelf was simply not done. You were expected to wear a plastic glove (provided) if you picked up any piece of produce to put in your basket.
The shelf life (so to speak) of COVID-19 is measured in hours, not minutes, which makes me wonder which shoppers before me in the store today might have prodded the potatoes, or felt through the tomatoes with their bare hands. Who knows where they鈥檝e been?
Perhaps our grocers should advise their clients not to touch any produce unless they intend to buy it. Sure, have a look at it, but don鈥檛 touch it if you don鈥檛 want to buy it.
This seems like a simple and inexpensive way to slow the infection rate of this virus.
Graydon Gibson
Victoria
A fitting honour for Dr. Bonnie Henry
Given the tremendous work that Dr. Bonnie Henry has done for British Columbians I believe the provincial government should honour her by hiring one or more First Nations artists to design and craft a gold necklace that can be given to her after the crisis is over.
It should go nicely with her current collection of necklaces and should be gold because she is golden. In addition to designs suggested by the artists, the public could also submit design suggestions.
Murray Holmes
Victoria
The virus knows no聽borders
Getting tougher on returning travellers from abroad is a step in the right direction, but not including those from Canadian hotspots such as Toronto and Montreal must have substantial risk. The virus knows no borders, even ours.
Ken Milbrath
Victoria
Respiratory therapists deserve thanks, praise
I endorse the recognition and appreciation given to doctors, nurses, and other front-line health professionals. However, as a founding member of the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists I am disappointed that the efforts of respiratory therapists have gone unnoticed. They are front-line workers responsible for the ventilators and other oxygen-related equipment that is so critical during the COVID-19 crisis.
The availability and readiness of respiratory therapists to care for Canadians is of critical importance. I聽would like to commend the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists and all respiratory therapists for their聽efforts. I am very proud of the聽evolution of the profession and skill level demonstrated by our therapists.
Thank you one and all.
Dr. Michael B. Andrews
Parksville
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