After pandemic, keep schools open all year
Now that we’ve begun to flatten the curve in the COVID-19 pandemic, there is talk of re-opening schools.
It seems to me this would be a good time to cancel the school summer holidays to allow students to catch up.
In fact, what’s wrong with schools being open year-round from now on?
Schools sit idle for two months a year. Why do we waste the use of all that infrastructure?
Summer holidays were initiated many years ago when children were needed to work the family farms during the summertime. That has not been the case for many, many years.
If a family wants time together, they could do so using two weekends and a week in between. Eleven days of family bonding. Missing a week of school is not critical for students but two months is a setback.
Teachers would actually work a full year, just like the rest of us.
Don Boult
Saanich
We’re on right track with homeless
Re: “B.C. orders dismantling of camps, moving homeless people into hotels,” April 26
Bravo to all those who worked to come up with a plan and actions to help those who are homeless, including ones who may have mental health and addiction issues.
The plan has so many needed supports and people are worth all of it. An example that had me cheering is the use of prescription medication which would ensure safety and access without having to resort to criminal activity.
Leni and Alan Hoover
Victoria
Horgan, Henry right about ferry traffic
Thank you, Premier John Horgan and Dr. Bonnie Henry for resisting calls to shut down ferry traffic to anyone other than persons travelling for “essential” reasons.
Whether persons are travelling on B.C. Ferries for medical appointments, for business purposes, for employment, to check up on loved ones, to spend time at a second home or even for some recreation, such travel should not be prohibited, as long as people adhere to physical distancing rules.
Freedom of movement is a basic civil liberty which should only be curtailed to the extent that it is reasonably necessary to do so to fight the virus.
The case has not been made that prohibiting so-called non-essential travel on the ferries is any more reasonably necessary to fight COVID-19 than shutting down the Island Highway to non-essential travel.
Carlos Bernardino
Comox
Island mayors right about limiting ferries
North Cowichan Mayor Al Sebring, 20 other Vancouver Island mayors and the chairs of the Island regional districts have the right idea.
Premier John Horgan says “we’ll be fine” but Island nations such as Australia and New Zealand and Canada’s Prince Edward Island are doing much better against COVID-19 than Vancouver Island.
The Times Colonist recently featured a story that New Zealand has the “bold goal” to eliminate the coronavirus from their country.
Why can’t Vancouver Island do the same?
Let’s protect our military bases, chronic care homes, Island Health, government offices and coast guard.
Would “be fine” be enough if COVID-19 gets into our institutions? Why wait for the May long weekend?
Let’s be bold now and make the ferries for essential trips only.
Residents and visitors could come and go as long as they do a strict 14 days of quarantine whenever they come to the island.
Ronald Youngash, MD
Saanich
Family gets creative for girl’s birthday
On Sunday, I was out for a walk, and there was very light traffic even for a Sunday due to the coronavirus. Suddenly, I heard a little girl yelling behind me.
As I turned to look, an SUV drove by, decorated with helium balloons and brightly coloured ribbons.
The girl was waving at me through an open window, yelling: “It’s my birthday — it’s my birthday!”
As the SUV went past, I could read a sign on the rear that stated: “Olivia is eight today! Honk to wish her a Happy Birthday!”
As they drove away a couple of passing cars honked.
Happy eighth birthday Olivia. I hope it was a good one, and I wish that for your ninth birthday you can have a big party with all your friends.
Bruce Clarke
Saanich
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