To the editor,
As a retired first responder, I have watched the citizens of Nanaimo and their response to COVID-19 and associated restrictions. For the most part, I have been very happy with our actions.
However, what I saw this past Saturday as I drove down Hammond Bay Road left me gobsmacked. A home, with its garage door open, had a sizeable gathering of people of all age groups inside, in direct contravention of the current public health orders. There was little to no distancing, not a mask in sight and as confirmed by the number of cars in and around the property it was evident that all of these people did not live in the home.
Early in my career I learned a quote that pretty much applied to most situations that I came across: “You can educate the ignorant, but you cannot fix stupid.”
I sincerely hope those in attendance dodge the COVID bullet, but more importantly, I pray that everyone they come into contact with manage to do the same.
The home owners have not only put themselves and their group at risk, but they have put the entire community at risk as well. It’s sad when people feel they have the right to ignore public safety to achieve self-gratification.
R.J. Whitton, Nanaimo
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