by Luisa Marshall – Simply The Best, The Luisa Marshall Show
Today the growing number of BC residents infected by COVID-19, also known as Coronavirus, is alarming. But not alarming enough for some younger people who leave their homes just to socialize. This puts not only themselves at risk of being infected, but also everyone else they may come in contact with after – their parents, grandparents, our doctors, nurses and hospital staff.
Lockdowns are currently happening all over the world, from our neighbours in the USA to European countries such as Italy and Spain.
Unfortunately, there are many who are skeptical and not worried about the possibility of an outbreak which could lead to many deaths worldwide. The utmost display of ignorance and lack of empathy from many Vancouverites is disappointing.
After reports of public gatherings taking place on a sunny Saturday which included a wedding at Crescent Beach, abiding citizens who self-isolated at home were outraged.
In an attempt to slow the infection rate of the virus, the City of Vancouver has closed recreational centres, golf courses, bike and skateboard parks, basketball and tennis courts, sports fields, and playgrounds. The city even went as far as to remove the giant logs along English Bay where visitors can sit and relax. Big and small businesses, restaurants, bars, events, shows, concerts, sports games, schools, etc… have completely shut down to help curb the spread of COVID-19.
Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart said today, “The vast majority of residents and businesses have been outstanding members of our community, all abiding by these rules, but too many did not,” Stewart said. “The time of asking nicely is coming to an end.”
The only sacrifice every Vancouverite can do is to stay home to prevent exposure from this virus with no known cure.
If the closures of businesses remain longer than expected, we are looking at many people losing their investments, businesses that they worked hard for and employees getting laid off. We are on the edge of possibly losing doctors, nurses and hospital staff who are putting their own lives at risk courageously facing these most challenging times one day at a time.
Instead of ignoring, disregarding and mocking the pleas and warnings of BC public health officials and other abiding citizens, the best thing is to stay home, research and understand Coronavirus and what to do to help stop the spread. Let us not get infected and let us not infect others.
After so many days of self-isolation, my husband Steve and I put on our media hats and drove to Downtown Vancouver, English Bay and Stanley Park to see for ourselves and report if people were in fact listening to BC public health officials. Though not as crowded as we expected, the beach and parks still had quite a few people out with some not practicing social distancing.
Why do we risk getting infected? Do we want a lockdown of our city, too?
