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Letters Dec. 30: Pandemic restrictions; duck for Christmas

We were double-crossed by those in charge We, the people of B.C.
TC_103308_web_thumbnail_Roast-Duck-with-Orange-Ginger-Cranberry-Sauce-.jpg
Crispy skinned roast duck served with a zesty orange ginger cranberry sauce. ERIC AKIS

We were double-crossed by those in charge

We, the people of B.C. who let our Christmas celebrations pass without seeing or hugging our loved ones, should be furious with our provincial and federal governments for their double-cross and scams perpetrated on us.

While we, the gullible nice Canadian people, listen to and heed the directives and recommendations of our very lovable and competent medical experts, these same revered people are allowing the Trojan horses to roam free in our backyards.

The number of flights allowed into this province alone without proper or satisfactory testing is astonishing.

I am a very vulnerable person because of pre-existing conditions and have been in full compliance for fear of my life, assisted in my efforts by my wonderful family.

I expect no less of an effort from our duly elected leaders and their hired experts, after all I/we are paying them and their only job at the moment is to keep us safe, not bend the knee to the airline and tourist industry aided and abetted by the people who are ignoring the warnings; we know some of them personally.

There are many loopholes in our instructions and just as many unscrupulous, “it’s all about me” people willing to take advantage of them.

If the government expect the people to take their recommendations seriously they should lead by example and monitor arrivals to our province/country or close the place down and save lives. We are doing our part — please don’t negate our efforts.

Tom Burns
Sidney

Duck was perfect for Christmas dinner

Kudos to Eric Akis! My wife and I are hunkered down obediently complying with Dr. Bonnie Henry’s orders, which means our sons and their partners are not sharing a turkey with us this year.

Enter Eric to save our Christmas! I love duck; my wife does not. I spotted Eric’s recipe and immediately brought it to her attention as worthy of consideration for our Dec. 25 isolated celebration. She reluctantly agreed to my urgings so I prepared the duck as instructed.

What a delight! Even my wife Joan loved the succulent meat and crisp skin. The sauce was particularly savoury with the Christmas flourish of including cranberries.

We almost finished the whole bird but followed through with making duck stock. On Boxing Day we invested some of that rich broth in the French onion soup recipe that was included.

Thanks, Eric, for adding a bit of Christmas cheer to our very limited celebrations.

Don Thain
Victoria

A virus-contact app for the rest of Canada

What good is the federal government’s app to notify others that you have COVID-19 if it doesn’t work in all provinces? I downloaded it a few months ago, deleted it because information wasn’t available from B.C., but just today, reloaded it on my phone.

It is still not available in B.C.

John Clisby
North Saanich

Let’s get serious to stop the spread

Health officials say that the COVID-19 variant first identified in the United Kingdom can spread more quickly and easily, so British Columbians must continue to follow health orders and guidelines, stay close to home, avoid non-essential travel, practice safe, physical distancing and wear a mask when in public indoor spaces.

Yes, most of us Island residents will continue to follow these guidelines.

But as long as planes flying onto the Island and ferries docking here carrying travellers from overseas, and elsewhere in the province and country, are permitted to bring in new cases, we will be at cross-purposes and the virus will continue to spread.

Not everyone watches the news to hear the government’s directives. Many just don’t seem to care and want to keep living their lives as though there is no pandemic.

On the news a couple of days ago, I saw a young woman disembarking from a ferry who was being interviewed by a local reporter.

She explained that she hadn’t seen her family in two years and this “seemed like the right time.” Until such time as the province gets serious about protecting its residents, the virus will keep spreading.

Karla Decker
Victoria

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