What is the B.C. government’s planning policy in bringing thousands of planters from all over Canada to the Northern Interior of B.C. during this horrendous pandemic? There is no testing being done nor would it help in this situation.
We, in the north, have been so careful with physical distancing, hand washing etc. because we are terrified of a virus outbreak in our area where we don't have enough medical services for ourselves. We certainly don't have anywhere enough for thousands more. Is this an experiment in herd immunity at our expense?
Our people, be they in the small mill towns, First Nations, farmers, ranchers or loggers have so far done a very good job keeping the virus down to the minimum. I am so angry at our govt. for initiating this endeavour.
We are being told that the planters will be closely monitored. Will they be monitoring workers day and night out in the communities where they are staying? Bringing thousands of planters in and not expecting a huge outbreak will be like hitting a bee’s nest with a baseball bat and not expecting to get stung. These planters will not stay in their motel rooms nor will there be anyone monitoring them to be sure they do.
They are mostly university students doing what they do in summer - making money for tuition and partying after a hard year’s work. We do not have medical services to help them if they get sick or make us sick. I am quite sure Dr. Bonnie Henry, John Horgan and Adrian Dix, good people as they are, have never been in the north in tree planting season. Someone in government had better get a grip on reality and think of the ultimate price.
Trisha Smith
Houston
