Governments have only taken half measures on COVID-19
China and South Korea have shown that COVID-19 can be stopped with extreme, proactive measures.
Poor Italy and Iran, and possibly the United States, show how quickly the pandemic can explode out of control if we fail to act.
With health officials warning that this is a moment of crisis, and with governments around the world closing borders, businesses and public spaces, I feel that Horgan and Trudeau have foolishly offered only half measures.
It’s surreal to think that we can still cross-border shop in Washington State, return to collect our children from daycare or help out in a crowded school classroom, shop and dine in a mall, take in a movie, ride a crowded bus home, then visit our parents in a care home.
If, as now seems likely, we fail to defeat this virus and suffer a pandemic of horrific proportions, it won’t be because an alternative future wasn’t achievable, nor because our health officials didn’t warn us.
As in the case of perilous climate change, it will be because our leaders ignored scientific advice and lacked the courage to take bold measures while there was yet time.
Mike Ward
Duncan
