We often chide the folks who took part in those protests for being irrationally angry — and I think it's a really complex situation. To some degree, as you've not doubt read in this newsletter, we shouldn't give an inch to the folks who demand that we throw out science and legitimize the view that vaccines are…
We often chide the folks who took part in those protests for being irrationally angry — and I think it's a really complex situation. To some degree, as you've not doubt read in this newsletter, we shouldn't give an inch to the folks who demand that we throw out science and legitimize the view that vaccines are dangerous or deadly. They're welcome to that view, but they can't force us to abide by it.
*But* there's lots of areas where the frustration from that broader movement was incredibly warranted. In my view, we didn't get nearly angry enough over the anti-scientific and punitive lockdowns and curfews that were being imposed in Ontario, Quebec, and elsewhere. I generally disagree that vaccine mandates fall into that category, but I think reasonable people can disagree.
We've also done far too little introspection over the irrational and unfair anger that we've felt towards anti-vaxxers. I think, with the benefit of hindsight, it wasn't fair to blame them for the continued spread of the virus nor the state of our ERs.
As for the next protest: I have always been of the opinion that the state is too ham-fisted when it comes to shutting down protests. Having been clubbed and handcuffed by cops earlier in my career, it comes from first-hand experience. I am adamant that the protesters in Ottawa were given an amount of leeway and deference to protest that few other protest movements have been given — and maybe that's not such a bad thing. Protest, so long as it doesn't unduly infringe on other peoples' rights to safety and security, should be celebrated a lot more than it currently is.
I hope you keep reading and engaging! I absolutely don't want to be preaching to the choir.
I think the lockdowns etc were badly used in many places. Here in BC, especially on Vancouver Island, I felt we had a very different pandemic than across the country. We were shut down for a few weeks and then remained mainly open except for restaurants,bars, and gyms that really took a beating that was wrong I thought. My husband worked in an elementary school and continued working. We had a later Spring Break and once schools opened up again then never closed again. Other places were unfortunately opening and closing over and over. Also curfews were beyond the pale! In all struggles people need hero’s and villains and our PM became villain number one, even though the unfair lockdowns and mandates were provincial jurisdiction. There is a very unhealthy hatred of Trudeau senior, including friends of mine, who cannot get past his son being in office. This hatred drives the anger that drives the fear that drives people to do things I really don’t think they would normally even dream of doing. Easy pickings for those with deeper and darker motives. I hope we can all move on from this but don’t know when and how that will happen.
Thanks for the comments Ken!
We often chide the folks who took part in those protests for being irrationally angry — and I think it's a really complex situation. To some degree, as you've not doubt read in this newsletter, we shouldn't give an inch to the folks who demand that we throw out science and legitimize the view that vaccines are dangerous or deadly. They're welcome to that view, but they can't force us to abide by it.
*But* there's lots of areas where the frustration from that broader movement was incredibly warranted. In my view, we didn't get nearly angry enough over the anti-scientific and punitive lockdowns and curfews that were being imposed in Ontario, Quebec, and elsewhere. I generally disagree that vaccine mandates fall into that category, but I think reasonable people can disagree.
We've also done far too little introspection over the irrational and unfair anger that we've felt towards anti-vaxxers. I think, with the benefit of hindsight, it wasn't fair to blame them for the continued spread of the virus nor the state of our ERs.
As for the next protest: I have always been of the opinion that the state is too ham-fisted when it comes to shutting down protests. Having been clubbed and handcuffed by cops earlier in my career, it comes from first-hand experience. I am adamant that the protesters in Ottawa were given an amount of leeway and deference to protest that few other protest movements have been given — and maybe that's not such a bad thing. Protest, so long as it doesn't unduly infringe on other peoples' rights to safety and security, should be celebrated a lot more than it currently is.
I hope you keep reading and engaging! I absolutely don't want to be preaching to the choir.
I think the lockdowns etc were badly used in many places. Here in BC, especially on Vancouver Island, I felt we had a very different pandemic than across the country. We were shut down for a few weeks and then remained mainly open except for restaurants,bars, and gyms that really took a beating that was wrong I thought. My husband worked in an elementary school and continued working. We had a later Spring Break and once schools opened up again then never closed again. Other places were unfortunately opening and closing over and over. Also curfews were beyond the pale! In all struggles people need hero’s and villains and our PM became villain number one, even though the unfair lockdowns and mandates were provincial jurisdiction. There is a very unhealthy hatred of Trudeau senior, including friends of mine, who cannot get past his son being in office. This hatred drives the anger that drives the fear that drives people to do things I really don’t think they would normally even dream of doing. Easy pickings for those with deeper and darker motives. I hope we can all move on from this but don’t know when and how that will happen.