People ignoring guidelines

Re: Anti-mask protesters earn ministers’ ire (Nov. 16)

It is too bad the anti-maskers chose the otherwise wonderful city of Steinbach to demonstrate their disregard for the well-being of their fellow citizens. These protesters are not indicative of the vast majority of Steinbachers who are kind, caring and hard-working people.

The anti-mask protesters, though, do represent a new type of personality disorder. They are addicted to self-righteous anger and inflexible beliefs. In this sense we are seeing a new type of addiction, similar to drug, alcohol and gambling addictions, but more dangerous and insidious than these more common addictions.

Mac Horsburgh, Winnipeg

 

 

Re: Message clear as mud (Nov. 12)

Apparently common sense is one of the first victims of COVID-19.

I went into Garden City Shopping Centre and saw two people within 30 feet of the door with no masks on. When I confronted them, their reply was that they forgot the masks in their car. Really! That 30-foot walk back to the door was just too insurmountable for them.

I went to Polo Park Shopping Centre, where they have huge signs and arrows to indicate one-way traffic to make social distancing easier. There were so many people who obviously don’t understand these signs and were going the wrong way that I couldn’t possibly confront them all.

Now I read that "many" people are confused by the wording of the latest restrictions put in place by Dr. Brent Roussin. So they are attacking the doctor and Premier Brian Pallister. I can understand NDP leader Wab Kinew and Liberal leader Dougald Lamont leading that attack, because they are hoping to elevate their image for the next election.

But the rest of the people confuse me. Am I to understand that these people are actually saying that they need the government and its medical representatives to spell out exactly what they should be doing. That they are saying they are incapable of figuring out a method to stay safe without the wording being absolutely perfect. Really?

If the wording is that confusing, maybe those people should get a dictionary and look up the words "virus" and "contagious" and devise their own set of rules on how not to die.

It seems to me that, for my entire life, I have heard people say they don’t want government to control every detail of their lives. With that in mind, I don’t believe that there are that many people in Winnipeg who are so dense they don’t know how to protect themselves. Thus, I have to believe that they are just looking for scapegoats for their frustrations and are attacking everything they possibly can.

Use some common sense, people! Even if the wording isn’t perfectly clear, the intent should have been — at least it was to most of the population. Please don’t let your frustrations take over logical thinking.

Bob Laventure, Winnipeg

 

All in this together?

The Manitoba government and our public-health officials are not responsible for the current state of the COVID-19 numbers in our province.

The virus has been spread by individual Manitobans who disobeyed the public-health mandates. This has been evident from the beginning.

Wake up! Wear a mask, social distance and wash your hands. Is this really so difficult to grasp?

Heather Chernoff, Winnipeg

 

 

Rate hike a threat to energy justice

Re: Huge bill, with hydro hike, passes in dead of night (Nov. 6)

By proposing to strip the Public Utilities Board of its power to set hydro rate increases, the provincial government is moving another step further from the equitable, affordable energy future that Manitobans deserve.

The PUB allows for public input and works to ensure just utility rates for Manitobans. The PUB has acted to address hydro rate disparity between customers living in cities and those living in northern Indigenous communities, who pay significantly higher hydro rates in addition to living with the environmental and cultural impacts of hydro mega-dams.

The provincial government’s move to set hydro rates without independent oversight is a threat to energy justice, one that comes at a time when the ongoing pandemic has already increased financial hardships for many in the province. Utility rates should not be decided behind closed doors by politicians.  They are a public issue and an issue of social justice, and should continue to be decided with the impartial oversight of the PUB.

Keira Nichol, Winnipeg

 

 

Only the essentials

Re: Businesses brace for fallout (Nov. 16)

Shutdowns to businesses are expected and reasonable in light of the numbers we have for COVID-19.

Why then are the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission and cannabis stores open? Are they essential?

To some, maybe; but they should be shut as well, particularly since both can be used via an online order system.

Shelley Pfeffer, Winnipeg

 

 

Focus on the positive

I want to say that I really appreciate the opinion column that Shelley Cook writes for Monday’s paper. She has such a positive attitude that is so refreshing compared to most articles in the newspaper. And she is so "down to earth" writing about common things about common folks and doing it with a grateful heart.

I really would like to see the paper have more positive articles for this time that we are in. Instead, all we are fed is what’s wrong with everything. How about taking some responsibility for making people feel better. Tell us about the wonderful things our doctors and nurses are doing. Tell us how hard politicians, paramedics, store clerks, etc., are working to make life better for us. Cut the whining and the criticism! We keep hearing about the problems of mental health at this time. Your newspaper is not helping that situation.

So please take a look at some of the opinion columns that you publish and rein the writers in, asking them to write something positive for a change. And make your headings for news items more positive. Most of the time, the info in the article is not near as bad as its title.

Thank you.

Elaine Gitzel, Altona

 

Re: A rink and a smile (Nov. 12)

I want to thank Ben Waldman for his story about the increasing importance and true Canadian value of home-built hockey (and curling) rinks, in these difficult times. Growing up in this great country, there was always an attraction to getting outdoors, even when the thermometer plummeted. As we all know, there is a warmth to winter, and it is part of our fabric as a nation. For those of us who have been around "for a while", simple things like Hockey Night In Canada were high on our lists on a cold Saturday night.

As such, what these community folks are doing is so uplifting, banding together to create large rinks, visible to all. It’s actually perfect.

And I also want to mention the excellent photography of John Woods. I have seldom seen a better newspaper photo as is the cover picture for the article. It is large and has surprising depth ... and, yes, warmth.

Congratulations to all who were a part of this wonderful story!

Dave Battistuzzi, Winnipeg