Letters & Op-Ed, September 30 2020

In response to my letter of September 16, “Faith, Fear and COVID-19,” Theron Jordan muddies the water by invoking the two meanings of faith [“Faith doesn’t necessarily imply religion,” Letters, Sept. 23, p.5].

Faith- (1) a religious spiritual conviction; or (2) a complete trust in someone or something. My first paragraph clearly indicates that I was writing about religious faith. I state that “church is good for you,” particularly during a time of social isolation. I then question whether a passive reliance on religious faith is useful or appropriate when faced with dire and dangerous situations.

The whole thrust of my argument is that a response to these situations requires not passive faith, but timely pro-active action. In the case of COVID-19 it is clear that those countries which implemented best practices experienced much reduced death rates. Contrast that with the USA, which failed to implement best practices. In a rather lengthy discursive letter Theron Jordan fails to address my argument. Instead he offers this: “If I can help instill faith in my fellow mankind during this time of acute crisis I will strive to continue to do so.”

Take your pick. Which approach is more likely to keep you alive?

Professor Alan W. Bown. B.Sc., Ph.D.

P.S. I notice that neither Theron Jordan nor I include our titles or credentials when writing to the Voice. I regard this as good practice. In a public, open debate, titles and credentials should not give extra weight to the words employed. However, throughout his letter Theron Jordan inexplicably refers to me several times as "Mr. Bown." Consequently, to correct this error, I include my full title and credentials.

Kore states—after his own coronavirus experience and the scandal he created by continuing to work while infected—via his self-serving apology, that he learned a lot, but we can see that nothing has changed. He has been seen not wearing a mask, and demands in-chamber meetings. When is this man going to take the pandemic seriously? He continues to be ignorant and arrogant.

While there are people who cannot wear masks due to health issues, it is still prudent for those individuals to stand at least some distance from others. Kore, unfortunately, is a “talk in your face” kind of person. It is a known fact that a person who has had COVID can get reinfected by another strain or variant of COVID-19. Wouldn’t you want to be more careful having contracted the disease once already? Perhaps avoiding public contact if he can’t wear a mask would be the cautious thing to do, as we are constantly reminded that aerosol and droplets are key COVID spreaders. Let’s practice some guideline adherence.

Sophie Zaworski Voice website

In recent months, farmers and county federations of agriculture have banded together to show their generosity, spread positivity and offer support to their local communities across the province. Despite the extensive pressures and challenges faced by Ontario’s agriculture and food industry throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, it did not deter the agriculture community from continuing to find ways to help those in need and support our rural communities.

The nature of farming results in farmers being faced with tough situations on a regular basis. They’re forced to make difficult decisions that impact the future of their business. However, farmers have an innate ability to adapt, evolve and persevere through uncertainty, and the COVID-19 crisis was no exception. Farmers forged through spring planting season and a pandemic to continue producing healthy, safe and affordable food for all Ontarians. Their resiliency and optimism carried into new measures this spring, expanding beyond individual farm operations, with countless examples of community support and contributions across the province.

Media outlets featured stories on local federations collaborating with community members, agri-food businesses and organizations across the sector to spread goodwill and support those in need. Contributions included organizing tractor parade tributes in support of our frontline workers, generous donations of funds and surplus food products for food banks, retirement homes, healthcare facilities and assisting with the production of non-medical face shields and masks. On social media, videos were shared of donations being mailed to food banks, and photos highlighting pop-up events such as local food drives and county-wide non-perishable food collection days. In northern Ontario, a map that had initially been prepared for use at upcoming fairs and festivals promoting local food was distributed by mail as well as being converted into an online resource to promote direct to consumer sales. Local federation representatives also found new ways to make personal deliveries, donning masks and respecting social distancing protocols to express their gratitude towards essential healthcare workers.

Once the reality of the lockdown set in, the reaction from the agricultural community was swift. Farmers found alternative ways to pay it forward to ensure our healthcare system was supported and that Ontarians could rely on our value chain to keep food on their tables. County and regional federations focus a handful of their events and initiatives on in-person consumer outreach. As a result of the pandemic, federations were forced to adjust their efforts, allowing our members to act in support of our communities in new ways.

These local federations were not alone in their generosity as many developed new partnerships and alliances as a result of COVID-19. Agri-businesses, commodity groups, farm organizations, community associations and farm families have been donating their time, money, resources and support throughout this crisis. Meat processing facilities have been receiving meals from their local communities in a show of appreciation for their ability to keep fresh meat products on our grocery store shelves. Transporters have been recognized for their vital role along the value chain and retailers have been applauded for their ability to adapt and provide us with their frontline services. Agriculture at all levels has banded together to spread goodwill and positivity in a challenging time.

Earlier this year, OFA launched the #OntAgProud social media campaign to share positive stories, recognize those involved in our dynamic sector and build pride in our industry. The efforts displayed by Ontario agriculture to make our communities stronger and more connected fit into this campaign seamlessly. Each example of community engagement stems from a time of uncertainty, but spreads optimism and hope throughout our rural communities.

We have all experienced the pressures, challenges and changes as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. However, the pandemic has also brought generosity, kindness and positivity to the forefront of our industry. Thank you to the members, federations and networks that have joined together to support one another and make our rural communities stronger.

Larry Davis, Director Ontario Federation of Agriculture

We are your foundation

Your structure, your base.

We are your elders

Who for you, set the pace.

We started our marathon

So long ago,

By our actions, our words

We wanted to show

YOU

The young generations

What is needed to thrive

To be tough, to be strong,

To always survive.

To learn how to cope

From the crib to the grave,

We thought you had learned

What it takes to be brave.

But instead you have shown us

The chaos you've brought,

Your help in this crisis,

Not a lesson we taught.

To follow the rules

Is all that was asked

But sadly we learned

You're not up to the task.

Your thoughts don't reach outwards

But rather within

Your priorities, always,

With you they begin.

Your rights, and plans

Your needs, your dreams

You care only for them

Or so it seems.

I'm saddened dear readers

Some entitled and young,

For you, true compassion

Has never begun.

Shirley Lazareth

Imagine a city like Burnaby, BC or Saskatoon, SK being wiped off the map. That’s roughly equivalent to the 205,000 deaths in the United States due to COVID-19 since March, as reported by the Coronavirus Resource Centre at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. An average of 770 each day. Four times as many Americans as killed in Vietnam, and nearly half as many killed in the Second World War.

The US accounts for 20 percent of the world’s nearly 1 million COVID deaths, despite having only 5 percent of the global population. Brazil has recorded 141,000 deaths, followed by India with 94,000 and Mexico with 76,000. Behind these statistics are countless devastated families and unfulfilled legacies.

The situation can potentially get even worse south of the border. Infectious disease modelling at the University of Washington predicts that the grisly tally could reach 400,000 by the end of 2020, fueled by the re-opening of schools and colleges. American cases of COVID-19 infection hit 7 million over the weekend, and by the time many readers are seeing these words there will likely be tens of thousands more infections reported.

Many accuse President Donald Trump of prioritizing politics over science, spurning medical research and hyping that a vaccine will be ready before election day on November 3 (leading experts say that immunization shots won’t be widely available until well into 2021). Trump has commented that, in retrospect, there is nothing he would have done differently, aside from his messaging to the public. He told Fox News, “On public relations I give myself a D—on the job itself we take an A-plus.”

Investigative journalist Bob Woodward, documenting Trump’s presidency in his recent book Rage, quotes the president as saying of the coronavirus: “I wanted to always play it down…I still like playing it down because I don’t want to create a panic.”

Trump has been, shall we say, economical with the truth throughout much of the pandemic. He recently suggested to the press that Canada is pushing to open the international border, whereas Bill Blair, our federal public safety minister, has told the CBC that the border will remain closed to non-essential travel until at least October 21, and government sources indicate a further extension is certainly possible. Don’t be surprised if it is Christmas before ski enthusiasts from Niagara can make that trip to Ellicottville, masks and ski-masks in hand.

Johns Hopkins estimates that here in Canada, our numbers are about 155,000 infected, with 9,300 deaths. A third of the infections have been in Ontario, where almost 3000 have succumbed to COVID-19. Niagara has recorded 1048 cases—with a jump of 24 on Sunday alone—and 64 deaths. The Region is the tenth most infected geographical area in the province, though substantially behind Toronto, Peel, York, and Ottawa.

A recent upsurge in new infections in Ontario has many worried that we are on the cusp of the “second wave,” which could prove to be more lethal than the first go-round. Sunday saw 491 new infections reported, the highest single-day total since May.

It is abundantly clear that no one wants to go back into full lockdown mode, but alarm bells are starting to sound. There is a rush on COVID-19 testing, and often delays in getting lab results. Can long lines at Costco and a return to hoarding of toilet paper be far away? Far more alarmingly, will ICUs once again be pushed to capacity?

To date, some 100 Ontario public schools and 30 licensed childcare centres have reported children testing positive—with eight students in Niagara positive as of Sunday evening. The largest single group of active cases is found in those aged 29 and younger.

The best advice? Continue following the trinity of pandemic safety: wash your hands frequently and wear a face mask, limit your social circles, and continue to practice social distancing when out and about. And seriously consider a flu shot to potentially ward off the seasonal variety. ◆

With the arrival of autumn the Niagara Region has seen an increase in COVID-19 infections. As of Monday, our days-to-double rate has jumped to 77. There were 50 new cases in the previous three days, bumping the reproductive number to 2.3, well above the desired 1. Although the last six weeks had seen zero cases of COVID in area hospitals, I see that the average number of cases hospitalized by week has moved from 0.0 to 0.1, so I assume that during that last week, someone was admitted to a hospital. I could not reach anyone at Public Health to confirm this.

The predominant age group continues to be 20 to 29 that makes up the majority of the infections, which is good in one way, as this is also the age group that is most likely not to need hospitalization, but can self-isolate at home if they do test positive.

On the Town front, the Recreational staff continue to bring more activities into play at the community centre. The walking track is now open, with users having to call ahead to schedule their desired times. No running is allowed, and of course, face masks must be worn. Ice rentals continue to be near the maximum, change rooms are being used, but no showers allowed. With the Region’s COVID-19 numbers remaining on the low side, and Town staff carrying on with very stringent cleaning protocols, Town residents can feel safe when using any Town facility.

Along with the coming of fall, this time of year also marks the beginning of municipal government’s budget process, with Pelham being no different. After passing the budget meeting schedule, the Town always holds a public meeting, where residents can offer suggestions on worthwhile community projects. This meeting was held this past Wednesday, with four citizens/groups coming forward. The active transportation committee, through their spokesperson Bea Clark, brought several projects to council’s attention, ranging from Town trail improvement to making bicycling safer on Canboro Road. A shop owner, representing a group of merchants, appeared before council, again, to request a part of the water station parking area, which is currently in grass, to be converted to eight parking spots. While driving through that part of Town last Tuesday I noticed that all on-street parking spaces were filled. Hopefully this coming year council can find the funds to get this project done, so more people can enjoy shopping at these businesses.

Rounding out the groups appearing before council was a member of the Pelham Tennis Association. The members would like to see re-surfacing work done to the courts, which are open to the public, along with a reconfiguration of part of the courts, to include pickle ball facilities.

On behalf of council, I thank all of these groups for taking the time to bring these projects to our attention. ◆