Editor:
A few comments regarding the ongoing discussion of whether non-residents should be prevented from coming to the Sunshine Coast.
Firstly, to those who might reasonably be identified as off-Coasters, who feel “within their rights” to come to the Coast now: consider that if there was an outbreak here, you would not come. Consider too that if things get bad here you have somewhere else to go – most residents here have no such second option. Given that you have no idea if you are carrying the virus, please be brutally honest with yourself regarding whether your need to travel here is truly “essential.”
Secondly, to those living here who want to restrict off-Coasters: consider that our being more or less at the end of the road on the other side of a ferry in a rural/suburban setting has allowed us to be largely unaffected by the virus, and that, even with the incremental risk presented by off-Coast visitors, we will remain at less risk than most people elsewhere on the Lower Mainland. Overall disease impact in B.C. remains low by world standards, and Canada is closed off to international travel (save for essential travel related to food, goods, transport, health care and critical infrastructure – the risk of which we must all share in). Ask yourself whether you intend to take further precautions due to your perception of an increased risk – if not, then the risk is not “unacceptable” to you. You are responsible for your own safety.
Finally, to everyone, a reminder that there are hundreds of communities across B.C. that may see their absolute risk increase somewhat as the summer approaches. If more restrictive travel measures are needed, they are best applied by the government, across the province, as and when required.
Alan Donenfeld, Gibsons
