Masking mandates removed too soon

Remember the early days of COVID-19 when Nova Scotia Health would release the numbers of new cases in the province, and we in the Western Region would bite our nails, hoping our number would remain at zero?

A lot has happened since then, of course. Some of it good, like vaccines. Some not so good.

In my view, removing masking mandates was an unfortunate decision by our provincial government.

Regardless of the benefits of vaccinating against the effects of COVID-19 — some of us for the fifth time — the virus is still among us and is continuing to claim precious lives, including in Nova Scotia.

Earlier this month, Nova Scotia Health reported more than 1,000 new lab-confirmed cases and more than 30 new deaths in a three-week period, pushing the province's death toll to 632. During the same period, hundreds of healthcare workers did not report for their shifts because they tested positive for COVID-19.

Figuring the danger has long passed, people of all ages continue to play Russian roulette with this insidious health menace by not masking up and not keeping at least six feet clear from other folks.

While shopping at a major Bridgewater grocery store recently I noticed the vast majority of shoppers were not wearing masks and lining up at busy checkouts a mere foot or two from each other. No staff members wore masks either.

Also, I was present during a well-attended community event at a local venue where only a handful of attendees wore masks, despite sitting and gathering in close proximity to each other, most of them strangers.

Some retailers are protecting themselves, staff and customers by posting “Masks Still Required” signs at the entrances to their businesses. Good for them for bucking the trend.

Has society in general become too complacent, or are most people just ready to move on from this and get back to life without restrictions? Either way, here are some sobering statistics to contemplate.

With South Shore Breaker filing deadlines well in advance of publication date, it's difficult to include upto-the-minute statistics, so at the time of this writing, 643,214,474 confirmed COVID-19 cases have been reported worldwide, according to Worldometer statistics.

Tragically, the number of deaths has reached 6,626,426. For a quick visual, imagine if every resident of Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan disappeared forever. That's what 6.6 million looks like.

Canada, with its 4,377,070 cases and 47,118 deaths, sits at number 33 out of 228 countries on the Worldometer list, an embarrassingly shameful placement, considering our relatively small population.

Masks will also help wearers to mitigate flu, colds and other contagious respiratory viruses as Old Man Winter approaches. Moreover, the Public Health Agency of Canada has reported the country is already “in the midst of an influenza epidemic.”

I believe decisions on public health should be made by qualified health professionals and not politicians. Sadly, many of this country's elected leaders don't seem to grasp this reality as they move to replace respected chief medical officers of health with lessqualified toady individuals who are expected to toe the government line.

Here's What I'm Thinking: I agree wearing a mask has become bothersome after all this time, but not wearing one while in large indoor congregate settings remains a risky practice. Mask up to protect yourself, your family and others.

LAHAVE STREET WOES

What's with the never-ending road construction along Lahave Street from the marina to the Dayspring border?

For clarity on this issue, I reached out to Bridgewater communications manager Patrick Hirtle, who said the contractor is aiming to complete the street surface at the end of the month (today) or early December.

The problem, he said, can be attributed to weather delays and the contractor's access to task-specific crews.

“It's a major undertaking on both sides of the river, as a new wastewater pump station is being constructed and a new sewer main that extends from Shipyards Landing all the way to the treatment facility at the edge of town has been installed,” said Hirtle.

He said the sewer main has gone through testing recently to ensure it is functioning properly. At the same time, crews were freed up from other projects in the province to complete curbing work here. Once the curbing is complete, paving can take place.

Hirtle acknowledged a major necessary infrastructure upgrade like this can be disruptive and irksome to area businesses, motorists and bikers, and the situation requires a great deal of patience by everyone affected.

I have to admit patience is not one of my virtues. It's a royal pain being stopped by flaggers — sometimes for lengthy periods — nearly every time I drive into and out of Bridgewater.

However, I do understand contractors everywhere are struggling with worker shortages.

I'm sure many motorists look forward to completion of the road work. As Larry the Cable Guy would say, Git-rdone!

Figuring the danger has long passed, people of all ages continue to play Russian roulette with this insidious health menace by not masking up and not keeping at least six feet clear from other folks.

TAKING AIM AT STUNTING

Earlier this month the RCMP charged an 18-year-old female with stunting — driving a vehicle at a speed 50 km/h or more above the posted speed limit.

The barely adult speed demon was clocked at 189 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on Hwy. 103 in Lunenburg County. That's not driving, it's a reckless, senseless act that puts people at risk of debilitating injury or death.

If it was the woman's first stunting offence, she was subject to a $2,422 fine, a sevenday licence suspension and six points on her driver's licence. She can also kiss goodbye to any hope of reasonable insurance rates.

As a wake-up call, perhaps she should be compelled to view a stack of photos of horrendous highway crashes.

The police report did not state if there were passengers in the offending driver's vehicle. I hope not.

Since that occurrence, the RCMP charged four drivers with stunting in unrelated incidents. The drivers were charged with driving at speeds of 187, 186, 186 and 181 km/h respectively. Foolhardy individuals, to say the least!