Day by day, we see more and more of our freedoms being stripped away — our mobility rights, religious freedoms — the list goes on. But how much are we willing to abandon for the sake of security?
When I say security — I’m referring to COVID-19.
This virus, which for the majority of the population is not a death sentence and can be easily recovered from has shaken up the lives of billions across the globe and millions right here at home in the great white north.
The only people at risk of dying of this virus are the elderly — with 89 per cent of the total deaths (17,296 / 19,461) being above the age of 70 and 96.4 per cent of death being above the age of 60 (18,738 / 19,461). The only others at risk are those with pre-conditions.
The mainstream media has convinced the public that the virus is more is extremely dangerous — and this is allowing governments across the globe and especially ours here in Canada to overreach and do things that would’ve been unimaginable just over a year ago.
No practicing religion, no traveling (unless of course you’re a politician), no seeing your family, no in-person dating, no being human — it’s for your own good right?
Wrong.
As Greg Staley stated in his article yesterday, it’s creating drastic impacts on Canadian’s mental health.
Article: FUREY: ‘People are really spiralling’ — mental health experts sound off on lockdown harms
Excerpt from article: “I have never seen anything like it in my 20 years,” says Michelle Sorensen, a clinical psychologist who sees patients in Ottawa. “People are really spiralling after almost a year of traumatic stress.” – Furey for the Toronto Sun
Article: BABER: The mental health impact of lockdown on Ontario’s youth
Excerpt from article: “According to preliminary findings, during the spring lockdown 70% of children and youth reported worse mental health. “Greater stress from social isolation was the most significant risk factor for worse mental health.” – Roman Baber, now independent MPP writing for the Toronto Sun.
I don’t know about you, but I’d rather live with the option of the risk of getting sick than living with the catastrophic impact lockdowns and restrictions are having on mine and countless other Canadian’s lives. These lockdowns are causing much more harm than any marginal benefit they may produce.
So have you answered the question yet? — How much are you willing to abandon for the sake of security?
That question actually comes from the movie synopsis of “PRE-CRIME,” a 2017 movie which is described as the following;
“Science fiction turns into disturbing fact as forecasting softwares, algorithms and databases quickly become the new fortune-tellers for future crimes, driving us to ask: how much are we willing to abandon for the sake of security?”
Sounds eerie right? Maybe not exactly our reality now — could it be one day or is it already happening (just in different ways)?
Over 1,000 Stores Visited during Ontario’s COVID-19 Inspection Blitz
Ontario’s provincial offences officers have visited 1,147 big-box stores and other essential retail businesses as of Jan. 29 and visited more than 400 additional stores the weekend following in Toronto, Hamilton and Kitchener-Waterloo.
The inspections are designed to ensure businesses are following public health guidelines. So far this year 112 tickets have been issued to businesses and individuals.
“We’ve marshalled hundreds of officers to inspect over 1,000 businesses in a few short weeks, and we’ll keep it up as long as there are bad actors out there,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development in the press release. “Our government is confident that the majority of workplaces are taking all necessary steps to protect their customers and workers from the spread of COVID-19. However, if we find businesses putting people at risk, we will take immediate action. This late in the pandemic, there is absolutely no excuse for owners, staff and customers alike not to be following health and safety rules.”
The release states the most common reasons cited for non-compliance were failure to properly screen staff and patrons, improper social distancing and workplaces not having adequate COVID-19 workplace safety plans.
In Ottawa, Windsor, Niagara and Durham Regions, 107 provincial offences officers conducted nearly 700 workplace visits a few weekends ago. They found 41 per cent of businesses had at least one issue of non-compliance and 98 tickets were issued.
Looking for non-compliance far and wide
When the provincial offences officers conduct these workplace inspections they are essentially looking for a reason to ticket someone — they will find something wrong, it’s guaranteed.
Especially if you don’t see them coming.
If you’re someone like me, then whenever you are at work on break or lunch, you keep a water bottle handy to allow you to keep your mask off without feeling at risk of a fine. (Just in case that handy dandy COVID inspector comes knocking).
In the last few months, I was alerted by my employer to keep your mask on when not eating or drinking because they were informed that approximately eight employees at a Costco in the Waterloo Region were each fined over $800 for failing to wear a mask while on break or lunch (since they were not eating or drinking).
But based on my workplace experiences — they’ve got to be socially distanced — even during lunch.
I cannot imagine receiving one of these fines and feeling obligated to pay it as if I did something wrong. Not to mention that’s nearly a minimum wage workers two-week salary. That’s especially harsh considering many Canadians are in difficult financial position due to government measures taken to fight COVID-19. You’re going to turn around and take half their monthly salary?
Doesn’t it feel like they are coming into workplaces just to see you slip-up?
It’s essentially “Pre-Crime” in the making and it’s only going to get worse — the next thing will be government cameras in workplaces to ensure compliance.
Because “they know” when you will commit “a crime,” and you just don’t know it yet.
And as for me — I’m not willing to abandon a single thing in life for the sake of my security. Freedom and liberty come in front of security – but yes, we must do our best to protect the vulnerable.
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