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Question 1: What are your feelings about wearing masks? Do you feel that masks should be mandated by government officials? Why or why not? Are these measures effective against the spread of COVID-19?
They may help, they may not. There have not been conclusive scientific studies done to support their effectiveness and whether or not they they are safe for prolonged public use. If there are studies, they have not been made public. The science (if there was science) used to make the decision about the mask mandate by regional council was not made available to the public, therefore they should not be mandated.
They may help, they may not. There have not been conclusive scientific studies done to support their effectiveness and whether or not they they are safe for prolonged public use. If there are studies, they have not been made public. The science (if there was science) used to make the decision about the mask mandate by regional council was not made available to the public, therefore they should not be mandated.
Question 2: The Canadian - U.S. border continues to be closed to non-essential travel. Is this a good or bad decision for Canada? When should the border be reopened fully?
The decision was necessary when there were too many unknown variables. Now that the death rate has been consistently low for both countries and the pandemic is better managed, and the "curve" has not threatened to overwhelm the medical system, which was the justification for the lock down, the borders should be re-open.
The decision was necessary when there were too many unknown variables. Now that the death rate has been consistently low for both countries and the pandemic is better managed, and the "curve" has not threatened to overwhelm the medical system, which was the justification for the lock down, the borders should be re-open.
Question 3: Niagara has seen a large number of visitors from other regions of Ontario on weekends and holidays. This has helped businesses and tourism. But it has also led to crowded venues and the potential spread of COVID-19. What can be done to balance safety and economics?
Encourage people to maintain distance, wash their hands, and wear masks. Be honest with the public and stop spinning the truth based on political bias and fear. This question presupposes that safety and economics are a polarity that needs to be balanced and it exposes the fallacies of the questioner. There is nothing safe about disregarding economics and their effects on mental stability of the public, which could be much more dangerous than a virus with a 0.04%+/- fatality rate. A greater spread of the virus at this time does not guarantee the same death rate that was seen in the initial months of the pandemic when a plethora of mistakes were made by health officials across North America that exacerbated the situation.
The majority of people will make proper decisions when they are informed and not forced to do things. When forced to do things, a minority of people will do the exact opposite more so than if they were asked for cooperation.
Encourage people to maintain distance, wash their hands, and wear masks. Be honest with the public and stop spinning the truth based on political bias and fear. This question presupposes that safety and economics are a polarity that needs to be balanced and it exposes the fallacies of the questioner. There is nothing safe about disregarding economics and their effects on mental stability of the public, which could be much more dangerous than a virus with a 0.04%+/- fatality rate. A greater spread of the virus at this time does not guarantee the same death rate that was seen in the initial months of the pandemic when a plethora of mistakes were made by health officials across North America that exacerbated the situation.
The majority of people will make proper decisions when they are informed and not forced to do things. When forced to do things, a minority of people will do the exact opposite more so than if they were asked for cooperation.
Question 4: Schools from kindergarten through university/college have reopened. How has the Ontario government handled the return to school? Are schools safe for students, teachers and staff? Is online learning a good alternative?
Online learning is an adequate alternative for those who don't feel safe in returning their children to school. Both options should be present. People should be allowed to make their own decisions.
Online learning is an adequate alternative for those who don't feel safe in returning their children to school. Both options should be present. People should be allowed to make their own decisions.
Question 5: Do you think that there will be a significant second wave in Canada? Why?
The second wave, although evident in the rising case count, is having it's potential consequences overexaggerated by politicians and people who are acting out of fear and not logic. The death rate is significantly less than it was earlier in the pandemic, either because of more accurate reporting, or better therapeutics, or better decision making, or all of the above. The case count now should not be directly compared to the case count of last spring. There are too many variables to consider to assume the consequences would be the same.
The second wave, although evident in the rising case count, is having it's potential consequences overexaggerated by politicians and people who are acting out of fear and not logic. The death rate is significantly less than it was earlier in the pandemic, either because of more accurate reporting, or better therapeutics, or better decision making, or all of the above. The case count now should not be directly compared to the case count of last spring. There are too many variables to consider to assume the consequences would be the same.
Question 6: Most people had to cancel plans for a special event, vacation, or activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. What did you miss out on? Would you be comfortable returning to these within the next year?
The overwhelming majority of people that have died from Covid-19 have had existing health conditions. I have no health conditions, so I would feel safe attending any event, provided I could wash my hands regularly, keep a reasonable distance from other attendees and be assured that attendees were screened for symptoms before entry.
The overwhelming majority of people that have died from Covid-19 have had existing health conditions. I have no health conditions, so I would feel safe attending any event, provided I could wash my hands regularly, keep a reasonable distance from other attendees and be assured that attendees were screened for symptoms before entry.
Question 7: Where do you get your news and information about the pandemic? What sources do you find trustworthy?
I found Dr. Jay Bhattacharya of Stanford University to be an unbiased source of information. Dr. John Campbell out of the UK has also been helpful. I also monitored the CDC and WHO for some information. All news outlets have had biased reporting and have not been trustworthy.
I found Dr. Jay Bhattacharya of Stanford University to be an unbiased source of information. Dr. John Campbell out of the UK has also been helpful. I also monitored the CDC and WHO for some information. All news outlets have had biased reporting and have not been trustworthy.
Question 8: When do you think the pandemic will subside and we can return to some kind of normal life?
The pandemic has exposed deep issues in humanity, so much so that we will never return to a normal life. Even if the pandemic subsides, the precedents set by our leaders will pave the way for much more idiotic decisions that will follow. People who do not take their health and wellbeing into their own hands and hold themselves accountable will become more dependent on the medical establishment, which has no vested interested in promoting health. People who decide to think for themselves and questions the narrative of mainstream media will seem much more radical to those who do not.
The pandemic has exposed deep issues in humanity, so much so that we will never return to a normal life. Even if the pandemic subsides, the precedents set by our leaders will pave the way for much more idiotic decisions that will follow. People who do not take their health and wellbeing into their own hands and hold themselves accountable will become more dependent on the medical establishment, which has no vested interested in promoting health. People who decide to think for themselves and questions the narrative of mainstream media will seem much more radical to those who do not.
Date
09-29-2020
Spatial Coverage
Niagara Falls
Item sets
This item was submitted on September 29, 2020 by [anonymous user] using the form “Questions and Answers 3” on the site “Documenting COVID-19 in Niagara”: https://exhibits.library.brocku.ca/s/COVID-Niagara
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