Editor:
Now that summer is coming to a close we reflect on how tourists and COVID-19 have affected permanent residents who live and work on the Coast. It’s not been an easy year, especially for the older and more vulnerable community. We normally welcome tourists. It’s fun to see families enjoying our forests and beaches. They are especially welcomed by the retail and hospitality industry. They buy souvenirs, shop for groceries and go to pubs and restaurants. This is good for the economy. Now, for the problems many of us have faced. 1. Too many cars and passengers and too few ferries, making it difficult for Coasters to travel for medical appointments. The short-lived “priority for residents” was just that, short lived. 2. Groups of families and friends socialize in the Saturday market, Cowrie Street and the walk along the sea (the Esplanade). There is no social distancing and no regard for others, not even elders. I imagine restaurants and pubs must have problems as well. 3. Shopping must be done early in order to avoid people not wearing masks, coming too close and not being generally courteous. The point I am trying to make is that we, the permanent residents, lose our routine, our way of life. It is difficult to park, do our shopping, errands and health walks for three months, or more. We find we are confined to our homes most days. Many of us feel safe only at home. This can be very stressful and depressing. What happens next year if this pandemic is still around? Will we be staying at home again? Perhaps we can find a way to tell our visitors of our anxiety and expectations. Hopefully we can all enjoy this paradise during the best months of the year.
Sally Watson, Sechelt
