Grocery clerk helps in difficult situation
On Sunday morning, I left early to do my week’s shopping at Thrifty Foods in James Bay. There was an orderly line of people waiting to enter and I was kept less than five minutes.
Once inside, I did a quick round of the store and lined up for the cashier, paying attention to the lines that marked out the required social distance.
As the cashier totalled my bill, I reached for my wallet which to my dismay seemed to be missing from my pocket. I looked with horror at the line behind me and wondered how I could possibly be so stupid as to have forgotten it.
I think the cashier realized I was rather upset and told me not to worry — she would put the groceries aside and I could come back later. I said that I had bought a chicken and that perhaps it would be better if I put my groceries back.
While I was stumbling around still trying to make my wallet magically appear, she gave me my bill and said I could pay her later, and I could take the groceries home. I didn’t understand that she paid for them with her Smile Card and was trusting me to return with the cash.
Which I did.
What a generous action during a time that has made many of us anxious and not always helpful and kind.
Thank you again to the staff and management of Thrifty for creating a positive and can-do atmosphere.
Rebecca Killing
Victoria
TB is curable and preventable
Today is World Tuberculosis Day and is an occasion for people around the world to stand in solidarity with the millions who have lost their lives to the world’s deadliest infectious disease.
So what? you may say. We are dealing with the scary coronavirus pandemic.
Tuberculosis continues to reign as the world’s top infectious killer. TB kills more than 4,000 people each day, 120,000 people each month and 1.5 million people each year. An estimated 10 million people developed TB in 2018 (latest stats).
No stone is being left unturned to stop the coronavirus pandemic.
If we showed even half of this dedication toward ending TB, we could stop millions from dying every year from this preventable and curable disease.
People with TB are very vulnerable to COVID-19, including prisoners, migrants, people living with HIV, those who are malnourished, living in poverty
TB exists in Canada too and just like the coronavirus, affects people with compromised health.
Along with COVID-19 research, Canada is being urged to live up to its commitments made at the 2018 United Nations High Level meeting on TB, and accelerating development of essential new tools to end TB.
Anita Mark
Saanichton
Earbuds a liability on bike path
I was riding down the new bike path at Dallas Road on a bright sunny day. There was a steady stream of cyclists, but also plenty of walkers and runners.
When I come up behind a walker or runner I ring my bell lightly and say “on your left” so that people don’t step out as I’m passing them. However, many of the walkers don’t pay any attention. As you pass, you see the earbuds stuck in their ears so that they can’t hear anything outside. I think this will likely cause an accident sooner or later. If you are on a bike path, please pay attention.
Mike Wyeth
Victoria
Hard-hitting ads needed on COVID-19
I am amazed that I have not noticed any hard-hitting advertising on TV concerning advice to the public on COVID -19 about keeping your distance, washing your hands, etc. I would have thought wartime-type slogans similar to “Loose Lips Sink Ships” would be a good way to get attention. Come on readers, create some slogans for T shirts, flags, etc., which will help get the message out.
Andrew Croy
Victoria
Loss of liberty is normal for disabled
Isolation? Working from home? Loss of income? Loss of liberties? It’s all just everyday life to the disabled and chronically ill.
I have made no changes at all to my way of life in the COVID-19 world, not because I’m careless of others’ health but because I haven’t had to: I already live it all, right down to the hand washing. So, you know, it won’t kill you.
But passing the virus to a vulnerable person might kill them. Please, even if you’re confident you’re immune, don’t risk being a vector. There are a thousand of ways to pass the time at home, from Netflix to meditation. Enjoy the break and talk to your vulnerable friends online.
Holly Phillips
Victoria
How do you explain need for distancing?
There are still many naysayers who are not getting the message about self-imposed isolation or limiting social interaction and maintaining distancing. I don’t understand what more information these people need to help them make the correct decisions.
Mike Wilkinson
Duncan
Grandchildren take advice to heart
One of Dr. Bonnie Henry’s most frequently mentioned problems is the younger demographic — teenagers up to young adults — ignoring the importance of social distancing.
I’ve got six grandchildren in that age group, three boys, three girls. I sent a group text to them as follows:
“Hi Grandkids,
“I want you to do me a favour! I am in the #1 category of people that, if infected by COVID-19 virus, it could possibly prove fatal. News reports tell me that many young people are not taking this crisis seriously. If you’re in that group, please listen to the rules of conduct and get on board right now! I need your help, as many others do. If you get this virus, in all likelihood it will be mild and you will recover. If you pass it along to someone like me, they might not.”
All six of them got right back to say thanks for the kick, and promising to spread the word to their friends.
Gail Tamburri
Oak Bay
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