The Editor:
I listen to hours of mainstream reports on this virus but cannot find an answer to a fundamental problem with the solution that closes down businesses to prevent contact and exposure. Medically this is straightforward, but how can most people do this and still survive, perhaps without disease, but also without an income? Death or other diseases can also come to people who lose jobs from companies that cannot survive and close forever. Is one to remain healthy in order to starve? We are told that essential government services will be enhanced to support such needs, but these departments and services are also supported by way of private income from those who buy goods and pay taxes. I fear the basic blocks of our economy are threatened in ways that cannot return after such a long time as the jobs and companies no longer exist. Our government is not prepared to support such massive failures.
Perhaps a social sort of rationing or prioritizing could be established which could more selectively funnel direct financial help based on social usefulness instead of only medical criteria. The tourism, entertainment and sports industries have a high risk for disease exposure but less value as essential services. Their closure throws thousands out of work, but if confined to them, help sent their way may be enough to save companies and see employees through to another paycheck when it is over. Another area warranting material help is of course medical care facilities, personnel and research. The virus is with us and no longer can be contained along with many others we must deal with. Since it spreads so dangerously and quickly, we must boost the medical system so it does not get overwhelmed. All resources – including military – must be on deck and going in high gear. If we do this well in other countries around the world, in not always friendly areas, working with their militaries for logistic necessities, why can we not do it even better here at home?
The poor, disabled and homeless on our streets must now be offered safe places to sleep, eat and use a bathroom. If we have not enough compassion, then we must realize this disease is an equalizer with no respect for our social boundaries. Even those of us in gated communities, who might make good use of this time away from normal life to work at home and in gardens with others and our kids, will not be protected financially or medically if groups are ignored and left to suffer or die. We are in this together where no one rises alone for safety and where all of us will go down together. There is no place to run as it is all over the world.
Some tactics work better than others. Public education and plans that make sense work better than scare tactics and guilt-tripping. If we target only the most essential to stay in business and remain open, this ignores the fact that they are sustainable only if we are. And it ignores people by the thousands who can see no way to survive without an income or job. Small wonder, perhaps, that our young adults have the bravado to “eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow you may die,” foolish as that is. It is up to us to find ways to survive together, to take every measure for safety we can, to take this new disease in stride along with all the others that plague us, and demand that our government go as heavy as it can on the “supply” side of things with the anticipated demand nearly at the gates. We need to put our prejudices and dissension aside and offer what we can with all the heart and brainpower we possess. My question again: Is hiding out in fear really the best way to go?
Sharon Robinson
Blaine
The Editor:
The COVID-19 virus: it’s like being in a war.
Despite Trump’s bravado, the Republican administration has been slow to react to the COVID-19 pandemic. With over 33,000 Americans infected and 400 deaths, it will quickly spread; last Monday alone, nearly 100 Americans died. And we don’t know the extent because of limited testing. One Californian infectious disease expert predicted that 70 percent of Americans will become infected with 1.5 million deaths, according to The Globe and Mail on March 21.
Compare this to Canada with its population of 38 million, where there were only 2,100 infections and 24 deaths. That’s because our health system is not as fractured as the American health system; the federal and provincial governments have reacted quickly.
We are told that “this is an extraordinary time.” My aunt, who is well into her 80s, reminded me of her being a teenager in Holland during World War II. She recalled the bare store shelves, the scarcity of food and the fear of being killed by an occupying army.
Today we are being invaded by an army which is invisible and we can’t predict, as during WWII, what the future will be. It’s also scary not knowing who the enemy is (infected individuals with no symptoms). We are to self-isolate and become prisoners in our own homes.
It is interesting to notice how many people don’t take this pandemic crisis seriously. Many continue to regularly shop and attend sport venues. Young people in particular don’t think they are vulnerable and gather on beaches and basketball courts.
Spring has sprung; everything appears to normal but it isn’t. I sit on my balcony watching the shimmering haze over Semiahmoo Bay and have to remind myself that there is a pandemic out there. Businesses are closing; shelves are empty. This creates anxiety because we are not used to it. When will things return to normal?
Albert Leering
White Rock, B.C.
The Editor:
I wanted to write and respond to the recent story regarding improving the quality of life in downtown Blaine regarding the excessively loud train horns.
I’ve lived in downtown Blaine for some time now and I must say, the horns are extremely loud, if you’re on Peace Portal Drive, near where the crossing at Marine Drive is located.
Maybe if you live more than two blocks away, the train horns sound quaint and all, but try and put yourself in the shoes of someone living, say, in the large masonry apartment building in the 400 block of Peace Portal Drive or even the apartment building on H Street and the motel on Martin Street.
I did some research and the horn values are at 120 decibels. At this level, you can receive hearing damage if you’re close to the trains.
I’ve been woken up many times by the horn noise and I know of folks who have moved from the apartment building across from Edaleen who didn’t miss living in Blaine just for the horn noise.
It seems the overpass at Bell Road will silence the horns for those residents, but I think you could incorporate the amount you quoted per crossing in the story ($500,000) into a $20 million budget and add the extra crossing arms at Marine Drive like British Columbia did at 12 crossings. Just do a package deal.
Certainly we can do one out of 13, and it would highly improve the quality of life here in Blaine and silence the annoying train horns for the entire Semiahmoo Bay area.
Doesn’t the city of Blaine deserve it?
The city should do this to improve the quality of life for its citizens. It’s just the right thing to do. Thank you.
Jeff Montanaro
Blaine
The Editor:
It was just February 13 when you published my last letter asking what your reporters have learned about precautions being taken at Vancouver International Airport and the border regarding the coronavirus. Ironically, on the next page was a wonderful story about the life of Kirk Douglas – the person my mother named me after. How life has changed in such a short period of time.
In the following issues, your reporters provided the best reporting of the virus’ impact on our local communities in northern Whatcom County. Not general information but ground truth with real local conditions. We need your paper and its diligent staff more than ever.
A few years back I lost my only sibling, my older brother Roger, who had a career in journalism and marketing. He taught me the importance of small-town newspapers, which share our births and deaths and all things considered in between. Rog was the editor of the Aspen Times during the late ’60s and early ’70s and later the Kodiak Times in Alaska.
In loving memory of my brother, the Flanders family is donating $240 for the continuation of your operations, $24 for ourselves as you suggested, and the rest for nine others for your distribution. Thank you for the opportunity to support you. I urge others to do so.
Kirk and Linda Flanders
Blaine
The Editor:
It was with great pleasure that we immediately wrote a check for $100 payable to The Northern Light when we learned that its publication might be in jeopardy. We have enjoyed every edition of this newspaper and look forward to many more!
Kevin and Terri Faulkner
Blaine
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