Finding alternatives for students
Re: “Plan for reopening schools leaving too many students behind,” comment, Aug. 18.
MLA Sonia Furstenau couldn’t have articulated any better the problem that exists with current return to school plans. Districts must look at offering online options that keep kids connected to their school community.
It is wrong to expect families to withdraw from their schools to access distance learning, leaving them with the possibility of losing their spot and separating them entirely from the school community they love.
The emphasis has been placed on return to in-class learning as being essential to students’ mental health, but what has not been taken into consideration is the mental health of students and families who are forced to withdraw because they feel it prudent to distance-learn due to individual health risks.
Those families are falling through the cracks. And let’s be realistic. Fall brings a lot of various viruses, and with the current need for students to remain home if sick, their learning will fall behind unless they can safely access learning online while riding out symptoms from home. A better solution exists, so let’s get moving on putting distance learning into place for the benefit of all students, regardless of their circumstance.
Leanne Bates
Langford
A solution for Ocean Boulevard
As a 50-year taxpaying resident of Colwood, I would like to offer a constructive suggestion regarding Ocean Boulevard.
This has been a roadway and bird sanctuary for all the years I have lived here and seen many improvements made to it, with no one suffering angst regarding it being open for residents to commute.
I remember coming for the day as a child growing up in James Bay, and it was a great family outing, even with no washrooms in those days.
Only during COVID-19, with many coming to our area from surrounding municipalities to walk the open roadway, has there been so much controversy over whether it should be open or closed.
There would be no need for those who wish to walk close to the ocean if there were well constructed boardwalks on each side of the road.
There is a pathway on the inside but someone keeps filling it with rocks, which makes it uncomfortable on the feet. This would make our area unique and welcoming to all, there is room for all of us.
Margaret Mercer
Colwood
Pondering traffic flow near lagoon
Things are changing rapidly in the Esquimalt Lagoon area of Colwood and the debate concerning Ocean Boulevard as a throughway is once again front and centre.
The car versus caring for nature does not have to be an either-or choice.
The almost unstoppable pressures of increased upstream traffic has already made the Ocean Boulevard a chosen bypass route. This volume is not compatible with recreational or park use. The alternative to closure would probably require another bypass through the Royal Roads and National Defence lands. That’s seemingly doable but both groups are notoriously intransigent.
Could the route continue along the Galloping Goose Trail?
It would be interesting to hear from some planning engineers as to what solutions, if any, are on their drawing boards.
Russell Thompson
Colwood
Motor traffic not a problem for birds
It has been suggested that keeping Ocean Boulevard closed to thoroughfare traffic would mean walkers would be free from traffic and the Lagoon bird sanctuary will be protected. However, both thoughts are untrue.
Birds Canada conducted a study of the bird sanctuary during the time the beach and road were closed.
They discovered that it is people, their garbage, plastic, and unleashed dogs that are the problem. The study reported that vehicle traffic is not the issue.
A large section of the road has been left opened to support food trucks. Food trucks attract crowds of people along with their garbage.
Closing a large section of the road has also reduced parking along the beach side of the road. On July 5 at 1:30 pm, I counted 200 cars parked between Lagoon Road and the first barrier, so social distancing was hard to maintain. Traffic has not stopped; it just looks different.
Margaret Eastman
Colwood
Opening daycare makes sense
Re: “Proposed daycare sparks dispute between residential tenants and landlord,” Aug. 16.
Integrating a daycare into the purpose-built rental housing building at Cook and Pandora is sound urban planning and something I hope to see replicated in Victoria, which like the rest of the province is suffering from a crippling daycare shortage.
The fact that some residents have filed a formal complaint, saying that they oppose the “constant stream” of yelling and laughing from the children who are poised to use it, and that this is delaying the project, is truly beyond belief. Let’s get on with this welcome addition to our city. The opponents, since they are paying north of $2,000 a month in rent, can certainly find somewhere else to live, free of such noise and perceived inconvenience.
Joe Barde
Victoria
Speed up testing for COVID-19
The COVID-19 testing system is a mess. I recently required a COVID test and was left in limbo for two days while the system processed my doctor’s referral.
In that period I was overwhelmed with anxiety wondering if I’d succumb before getting the test.
If this virus is so bad, testing must be done immediately to stem the potential panic by those possibly inflicted by the ailment. Waiting is torture.
Furthermore, the system should notify the patient regardless of the test’s result.
Note: My test came back negative
Bennett Guinn
Victoria
No real need for Beacon Hill camping
Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps has finally admitted that “it is not appropriate to have people camping across from an elementary school.”
Does this mean that it is appropriate to have needles, feces, broken windows, vandalism and theft on commercial premises, small businesses, homes and residences?
Furthermore, the commentary by Diana Gibson and Kelly Roth (Aug. 19) about the Point in Time homelessness survey states that 84 per cent of the individuals surveyed on March 11 (before the start of the COVID-19 shutdown) had been in Victoria for more than a year. This means that 16 per cent had not.
The article said that more than 600 people have been housed indoors since the start of the pandemic. Recent reports are that 95 individuals are currently living in Beacon Hill park.
Combining these two numbers is 695 and 16 per cent of 695 is 111, in other words if those 111 individuals had not been drawn to Victoria then there would be no need for anyone to be camping in Beacon Hill Park.
Sadly, contrary to the claim by Gibson and Roth, the data shows that Victoria’s housing and homelessness services are drawing people to the region, have increased demand and have made the situation worse.
Alan Humphries
Victoria
Hospital staff: Wear those masks
This past week I have had the unique experience of a two-day medical test. The staff were great overall, and we must be very appreciative of the hard work they provide with a smile.
However, I was more than a little surprised and angry when so many of the people I saw at our largest hospital were not wearing masks. If they were walking down the hallways or in a sheltered area, there were lots of no-masks.
There were lots of no-masks patients and others from security guards to reception staff everywhere.
It is hard enough to try to encourage people to take an active personal responsibility in this crisis time, one would be very hopeful that our medical staff and visitors would take up that responsibility and wear a mask.
There are many “services” and small businesses that have signs on their doors “No Mask, no Service.” I can’t visit my optometrist without a mask and they are showing their responsibility.
Why aren’t hospitals?
D. Ann Moxley
Victoria
Do as we say, not as we do
The province deems it safe for children to return to the classroom — yet a large portion of their own employees continue to work from home because it’s not safe to return to their office.
Scott Clark
Victoria
Fresh figs and making a new friend
With all the ugliness that’s happening, there is so much good in the world. Today there was a knock on the door. A man standing at the door with a small box in his hand and he introduced himself. He introduced his wife who was standing at the end of the driveway.
They said they were refugees from Syria and had only been in Canada a few months. They were walking by and noticed our fig tree. He said he hasn’t had fresh figs since he was in his homeland. He asked if he could take a couple figs.
I told him to take a few as he had the little box in his hands. I ran out before he left and gave him some peaches.
Shortly afterwards the man came by with two of his sons. He gave us a plate of homemade falafels and hummus made by his wife. The little boys about 8 and 10 years were very curious and asked lots of questions. Akmed asked if my husband would be his dad’s friend. My husband said, “We are already friends.”
He said he’s going to have to get the plate back to them but the man said not to worry, he’ll pop around at some point.
This man could’ve just taken the figs — but he didn’t. And it was so kind to bring a gift in return.
Welcome to Canada. I am grateful every day that my mum moved us to Canada and that we live in one of the safest and most beautiful places in the world.
Christina Truscott
Saanich
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