Support local restaurants
Carrier Sekani helping reSidentS
Arthur WilliAMs Citizen staff
Like all communities in Canada, First Nations are struggling with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and trying to respond to the ever-changing needs, Chief Mina Holmes said.
“They’re all in crisis management mode right now,” Holmes said. “They’re setting up road checks... encouraging people to stay home, wash your hands.”
The carrier Sekani Tribal council - a coalition of the Ts’il Kaz Koh, nadleh Whut’en, Saik’uz, Stellat’en Takla Lake, Tl’azt’en and Wet’suwet’en First nations - is also doing the best it can to reach out to members living off reserve, to offer what support they can, she said.
“it’s really important that people have current information and accurate information,” Holmes said.
Christine hinZMAnn Citizen staff
As soon as the provincial health minister ordered restaurants to close their dining rooms and only offer takeout orders, White Goose Bistro turned to social media to encourage their customers to continue patronizing the establishment in a different way.
The response has been tremendous.
The family-owned business has been successful for the last 14 years and has never experienced anything like this, Fallon Moreland said.
She believes their continued success is because they have reached out to people on Facebook to have a conversation about
what customers would like to see on their menu.
recently, The White Goose Bistro featured a full Greek menu that was a great success during a two-day event. For the next event, White Goose is considering a Mexican theme.
Still, it takes some getting used to not to have guests sitting in their establishment.
“i miss the interaction with customers,” Moreland said. “i love talking to people, i love serving people and i love my job. This situation is a whole other experience.”
it’s all in the timing for fine dining, now there’s no spacing needed to enjoy each courses. it’s all served at once.
“There’s a learning curve for sure but we’re doing good though,” Moreland said.
“We had to figure out a new way to do this to keep it going. We’re doing what we can to keep the doors open and ride the wave until everything goes back to normal.”
And Moreland believes people will flock back to restaurants when we’re all past this pandemic.
“People are bored,” Moreland said. “They will go back to their old routine after all this is done. it’ll be like ‘we’re free!’” on the flip side, Dragon Stone Mongolian Grill has been forced to shut its
door permanently in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
owner Wendy Wedman opened the restaurant in 2015 after family members visited a Mongolian style restaurant in the States and then another in a different part of the province.
“i thought we needed to bring a healthy option like that to Prince George,” Wedman said. “We jumped in with both feet.” it was Wedman’s first restaurant and her last.
“i won’t be doing this again.”
The decision to close was because there was no opportunity to social distance in the way the restaurant was designed.
“it was more so than even just a buffet,” Wedman said. “once you got your food you stood in line to watch it being made so it was a double line of not being able to physically distance yourself. The experts are saying this is going to go on for months and then the second wave is going to come in the fall and there will probably be restrictions throughout the summer and for our style of restaurant all the restrictions would have to be lifted before we could even being a viable option again.”
Wedman said they just couldn’t hold on for that long.
“So we made the decision that made the most sense,” she said.
The tribal council has been reaching out to youth to offer support and providing information on crisis lines they can call if they need to talk to someone, she said. First nations youth have the highest rate of suicide in canada, and the social distancing measures being enforced could leave vulnerable youth feeling alone and unsupported
Many First nations administrative offices are closed or running on limited hours, and some staff have been given the option to take a layoff or altered duties.
“This has changed the way we do business. Work has not slowed down one bit,” Holmes said. “My schedule has not slowed down at all. Although i am self-isolating, and working from home.”
First nations’ businesses also have been hit hard, the same as businesses throughout Prince George, canada and the world, she said.
“everyone is experiencing the struggle to make payroll and minimize layoffs,” she said.
The tribal council delivered care packages to vulnerable indigenous and non-indigenous people in Prince George over the weekend and early this week.
Holmes also co-founded a Facebook group called coViD-19 coming Together (Prince George), where Prince George residents can reach out and help each other get through the pandemic.
citizen Photo by James Doyle
Vegetables are scooped onto a plate of turkey with all the trimmings at White Goose bistro’s fifth annual christmas Day dinner in December. During the coronavirus pandemic, the restaurant is busy offering takeout service.
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Ted Clarke Citizen staff
There is help on the way for medical centres in northern B.C. from CNC students.
CNC campuses in Prince George and Burns Lake that train licenced practical nurses have a combined 18 students who have just completed the program and are now ready to utilize their skills.
Twenty-three health care assistants trained in Prince George, Mackenzie and Quesnel have begun to work in their chosen fields, and 21 medical lab students who have completed their courses are about to enter the health care system.
“We do the first two years of the baccalaureate of nursing program with UNBC
and the students who are finishing off their first two years are eligible to work as health care assistants and some of them are applying to do that work,” said Chad Thompson, CNC’s vice-president, academic. “Within the next month or so we would expect to see an additional 30-or-so students in some of the different health areas completing and ready to go out into the health care sector.”
For some students, early graduation is not possible. CNC medical radiography and sonography (ultrasound) students have yet to finish off practicum work, which can’t be accelerated. Health care programs are bound by requirements of each of the accrediting agencies and not all students graduate at the same time. In a
normal year they would graduate between April and July. COVID-19 has sped up the process.
“Some of the programs have been accelerated by several weeks, where we were able to assess and ensure students had met their competencies and were ready to practice” said Thompson. “We’ve had to be very careful where we’re not going to cut a program short and put students who aren’t ready out into the health care field.”
Personal protection equipment is in high demand in hospitals, health clinics and longterm care facilities across Canada, with some shortages reported. Some students have expressed their fears about the risk of being exposed to the coronavirus.
“It’s scary for a lot of the students,” said
Thompson. “This is not something any of them expected when they signed up for the program and I’m proud of the fact they’ve chosen to pursue these careers and play a role in this critical time.”
Thompson said the pandemic highlights the need to have post-secondary health sciences programs in northern B.C.
“We know if we have these programs in the north we’re going to have graduates who will stay in the north and are going to fill these roles,” he said.
“I’m really proud of all the work done by students and faculty to make it possible to get our graduates out there and ready to do their part .. and provide that extra boost into the health care labour force at this time when it’s so desperately needed.”
Landfill, transfer stations stay on winter hours CNC studeNts joiN
The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George announced on Wednesday it is maintaining its winter hours at the Quinn Street Recycling Depot and Vanway transfer station for another month.
Regional district manager of waste diversion Laura Zapotichny said the facilities would normally move to their summer schedule in April. The Valemount, McBride and Mackenzie transfer stations will also maintain their winter hours, while the Foothills Regional Landfill will continue operating during its normal hours.
However, Zapotichny said, the regional district is urging residents to avoid nonessential trips to the landfill and transfer stations during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. If you need to replace your fridge and have a place in a carport or garage to temporarily store the old fridge, that is a good example of a landfill trip that could be postponed until the province lifts its public health measures, she said
In March the Foothills landfill was seeing an average of 120 non-commercial vehicles arriving per day, which is about normal for that time of year.
“We had a late spring and a cold spring, and that’s helped us out a little bit,” Zapo-
tichny said. “We’re going into our busy season, regardless of COVID-19. April and May are our busiest months.”
One concern is that people will use the extra time they have at home to do spring cleaning and renovation projects, creating a lot of additional material and additional trips to the landfill, she said. If there is surge of additional users, the regional district could be forced to make additional changes to service levels at the landfill and transfer stations. In addition, the regional district is enforcing social distancing measures at its facilities.
Landfill staff will be limiting the number of people onsite at one time to allow
distancing between people using the bin, Zapotichny said, so residents can expect some additional delays.
The Prince George Return It Centre has closed due to COVID- 19, along with the Elks Bottle Depot in Mackenzie. Information about what bottle depots remain open can be found online at www.return-it.ca
“The Regional District understands how important it is to have the landfills and transfer stations open to serve the public,” Zapotichny said. “We hope with the public’s co-operation we can make our facilities safer for everyone and reduce unnecessary pressure put on our sites during this challenging time.”
arThur Williams Citizen staff
LocaL artists onLine during pandemic
Christine hinZMAnn Citizen staff
It’s no secret - performers like to perform and artists like to create.
During these self-isolating times due to the coronavirus pandemic, alternative ways of connecting with like-minded people are taking an online turn.
Mike Smith, a local musician, is hosting musical interludes for his Facebook friends, while painter Christina Watts and potter Leanna Carlson are reaching out to teach classes virtually.
Smith found himself self-isolating after a recent trip to Costa Rica at the beginning of March when things just started to get ramped up on the coronavirus pandemic front.
Smith is part of a band, formerly known as Bralorne, now called Blacksmith, that had gigs booked and canceled as far in the future as July.
“This is going to affect musicians, entertainers obviously around the whole world,” Smith said.
“It’s pretty sad, especially when I look at the news at these idiots down in Florida on the beach with no regard for anybody else other than themselves. Now it’s evident that a bunch of these people are going to end up with it.”
Smith said he hasn’t been out but he likes what he’s been seeing and hearing on social media about how Prince George residents are doing their part to stay home and respecting the rules of social distancing in the stores.
“So I started thinking about playing
songs for people online and figured it out,” Smith said.
He usually performs at 4 p.m. and has been sent videos of himself singing on people’s big screens.
“I will be doing this on a regular basis and I’ve got lots of comments from people,” Smith said. “I think it helps a little bit. It takes people’s minds off it and realizing there’s others doing their part and staying home. Hopefully we all get through this together and the sooner the better.”
Another artist who is offering online lessons is Leanna Carlson who has offers up on her Clay Gymnasium, a Facebook page that offers a path to lessons for both children and adults.
When people recently started making requests for online clay classes, Carlson thought it was a great idea.
Mike smith, left, offers up online live music most days at 4 p.m. on his Facebook page.
Christina Watts, above, of the Watts academy is hosting several online art classes for all ages during self-isolation that is occurring during the coronavirus pandemic.
She started with a practice lesson to see how it would work and using the platform Zoom that is really easy to use, she said, there didn’t seem to be any problems. Carlson is offering regular classes, with supply pick up and item drop off on a table at her doorstep so that she can fire the pottery art, always keeping social distancing at the forefront.
“After I fire it for them, people can paint their items with acrylics at home,” she said.
Visit Clay Gymnasium on Facebook or email claygymnasium@gmail.com.
Christina Watts has a local art studio
Financial support offered to arts sector
There are supports put in place for the arts and culture sector during the novel coronavirus pandemic. The BC Arts Council will administer a $3 million fund provided by the ministry of tourism, arts and culture.
A supplement of up to $15,000 will help operating and eligible project clients in early April to help pay the bills and the BC Arts Council can provide operating clients an advance on 2020-21 funding to help with cash flow.
The Prince George & District Community Arts Council, whose mission is to operate
and maintain a creative arts facility that serves the needs of local artists, cultural organizations, and residents of the area, is the local umbrella agency for many artisans and arts organizations.
“From the arts council’s perspective this provincial money is certainly welcomed,” Lisa Redpath, program manager for the local CAC, said.
The arts and culture industry is an $8 billion industry, she added.
“The impact is certainly felt with more than 30,000 artists working in the province,” Redpath said.
“It’s certainly a sector that has been hit hard.”
The local arts council is located at Studio 2880, which houses a gift shop, administrative offices, a local radio station and local art organizations.
“We are a city facility so we closed when all the rest of the city facilities were closing,” Redpath said. All staff are working from home, she added.
“To close is a huge loss to a lot of these groups and anything the government can do at this point in time to get us back on our feet is welcome,” she said.
“This will reassure us that help is coming and that will get us back on our feet when
and has found reaching out online can be a great way to teach.
Watts uses Zoom that allows the user to control how they access the class with visual or audio options.
“It helps keep the classes running smoothly and it’s very much like a real class in real time and the instructor is there to help,” Watts said. “People can hold up what they’ve been painting and show video feed for it and I can provide feedback or suggestions.”
There are family classes for drawing, sketching and watercolour that are appropriate for the whole household, she said. There is a different project each week.
“They are in real time - we don’t record them,” Watts said.
She wants people to be able to chat and be open during the class just like they would if participants were at an in-person event.
Class size is still limited so each person gets the individual attention they need, she added.
The Watts Academy is still in operation but social distancing is the priority.
Watts said without the in-person aspect of lessons, reaching out with the paint brush to help someone is out of the realm of possibility.
“We still want to get close to help each other but that’s not possible any more and it’s something we all have to get used to,” Watts said. “If we all just help each other we’ll get through this.”
Check out Watts Art Academy in PG on Facebook.
the time comes. It’s important to remind everybody that we’re all in this together.”
The best thing artists can do right now is to stay home, she added.
“These are unprecedented times,” Redpath said.
“We just have to listen to what health authorities are telling us. Locally the arts community has phenomenal support from the public, the municipal government and dedicated sponsors.”
With all large gatherings off limits, Redpath said the community needs to rally around artisans and arts organizations and support them as soon as concerts, plays, festivals and fundraisers can be held again.
“There will be trying times ahead certainly and it’s unknown when we can get back to some type of normal and that can be very stressful,” she said.
“But it’s good to see artists turning to virtual paths to teach, inspire and entertain in an effort to uplift people because right now a lot of people are afraid. This situation has pushed us into new and creatively innovative ways of doing things.”
Nothing will replace the in-person experience and those occasions will come again but for now she said, we all have a responsibility to stay safe and stay home.
Christine hinZMAnn Citizen staff
Free food service adds support
Christine hinZMAnn Citizen staff
Opening up another day to feed the hungry and sending his most vulnerable senior volunteers home is just part of the ongoing changes occurring during the coronavirus pandemic for Ranjit Singh.
He and other volunteers offer Guru Nanak Free Food Langar Prince George at 2225 Victoria St., in the heart of the most vulnerable area in town.
Singh has opened the free food service from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday and most recently Saturdays because one of the outlets that offered food downtown on Saturdays shut down.
“If we have to go all out and open seven
days a week we will,” Singh said.
“As long as everybody’s fed. You don’t know who’s going to get the disease and pass away but at least they’ll have their belly full before any of that happens. If you’re hungry for two days... hunger is worse than the disease.”
Singh has opened his heart to invite students to get fed but has shut the doors and eliminated the tables where people could sit, rest and eat in response to the coronavirus pandemic and the call for social distancing.
“I feel sad about that,” Singh said. “People still get their food and get extra to take home and eat.”
His new sign explains the process in the face of the threat of COVID-19 where
people can take the food only after it’s been placed on the four-foot table. The sign also says to keep a six-foot distance between each other and there’s advice about coughing into a tissue.
There are special instructions for elders and seniors to stay in their cars and honk and a volunteer will bring out fruit, food and a beverage to them.
Most recently, as the offer to feed college students went out, the response was for some of them to volunteer.
“I’ve got two young men now who will deliver food to seniors’ homes,” Singh said. “We have to protect them and that’s why I sent my senior volunteers home.”
The ebb and flow of demand depends on if it’s close to when people get their
Farmers’ market limited to outdoors
The Prince George Farmers’ Market will be a strictly outdoor operation as part of the city’s efforts to contain the novel coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement, the city confirmed it will not be allowing the PGFMA to use the cityowned building at Third Avenue and Quebec Street downtown for the time being.
Zimmer donating pay hike
Instead, it said staff will work with the PGFMA, as well as the Wilson Square Community Market, to set out the groundwork for holding outdoor markets. Those markets usually open in May but are subject to any future orders recommendations from the provincial health officer, the city noted.
Farmers’ markets have been designated an essential service in B.C. but the provincial health officer has restricted vendors to
Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies MP Bob Zimmer has joined the ranks of MPs donating their legislated pay raise, which came into effect last Wednesday.
Salaries of MPs and senators increase on April 1each year, under legislation passed in 2005 to
selling food only. Moreover, they must also abide by physical distancing measures.
Through the B.C. Association of Farmers’ Markets, the provincial government is also encouraging farmers’ markets to go online.
PGFMA president Martin Krell said the PGFMA is looking at establishing an online presence to represent all members who want to take that route.
“Many of our vendors currently have
de-politicize parliamentarians pay. The increase is based on the average increase negotiated by major bargaining units in the private sector, and this year MPs are entitled to a 2.1 per cent increase – boosting their base annual salary by roughly $3,700 to $182,656.
income assistance payments, Singh said. Sometimes the demand needs 55 pizzas to feed everyone and sometimes it’s 30, he added.
Singh started the program years ago when he felt a calling to serve others.
“Every soul counts,” Sing said. “Building a church is just an empty shell. Every human being is the same to me - rich, poor or whatever. They are all godly inside.”
In the meantime, the program will keep going especially during these challenging times.
“We’ll keep moving on,” Singh said. “It’s a little bit more work but God keeps sending his helpers all the time. We just want everyone to be fed and be safe - however long this takes.”
online stores and have reported to me great support for their services by the residents of Prince George,” Krell said. “Some vendors are offering farm pick up and other vendors are offering home delivery as an option.
“The market customers have been very supportive to our market vendors by reaching out to them and supporting the vendors during this time of change.”
I know people throughout the region are hurting right now which is why I am donating any increase I receive to a local church that is helping out our community during this difficult time. I will continue to support local charities as I always have,” Zimmer said in a statement.
Citizen staff
Truck stop offers respite for long-haulers
Ted Clarke Citizen staff
Mike Augustino hauled his heavy load of pipe 861 kilometres from Camrose, Alta., and it took him less than nine hours.
That’s usually a 10- or 11-hour trip to Prince George but traffic was almost nonexistent. From the park gates at Jasper, he had only one vehicle to pass before he rolled into town last Friday evening. The self-isolated world of COVID-19 is keeping people close to home and off the highways and city freeways, about the only positive Augustino can draw from the pandemic.
Parked behind the Prince George Husky/ Esso Travel Centre off Highway 97 along with five or six other drivers Augustino knows, they were all hauling similar loads of pipe that’s being stockpiled for the LNG Canada Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline from Dawson Creek to Kitimat. He’s been making trips to various points along
the line for Chohan Freight Forwarders of Burnaby for nearly three months. Augustino couldn’t deliver his load until Monday and had two days in the city to kill.
If it had been a normal weekend, he and his trucker friends might have headed downtown to a restaurant or pub, but with social distancing and crowd restriction orders in place, most businesses are closed and there wasn’t much for him to do. After driving for hours by himself on the road, he misses being able to socialize.
“Normally a truck driver will talk to another truck driver but now we’re all isolating in our trucks,” Augustino said. “It sucks. It’s a little bit more lonely. You hear the devastation (COVID-19 is) causing on CBC radio and how it’s affecting the businesses. We’re kind of lucky in a way that we get to stay as busy as we are.”
Augustino was up early Sunday warming up his truck on a crisp -14 C morning and he planned to head to Wal-Mart to pick up
a microwave oven for his truck. He’s finding it hard to get a hot meal on the road sometimes because the COVID-19 crisis has forced even the fast-food restaurants to close. He can’t drive his truck through the drive-thru lanes and most of the take-out windows refuse to serve walk-up customers.
The Prince George Husky/Esso Travel Centre is open 24 hours a day and it’s an oasis for truck drivers looking for a free hot shower and coffee, a friendly face and a homecooked meal. The five-acre parking lot gives truckers a place to park their rigs overnight so they can get a good night’s sleep and be fresh for the road the next morning. COVID has closed the restaurant but the takeout meals are flying off the shelves.
“So far we’ve been pretty lucky and we’ve been able to still provide showers and washrooms and we have our takeout coolers,” said Sheryl Malgunas, who
co-owns the truck stop with her husband Stew.
“Now that we’re takeout only, my staff have the time to make lots of homemade dinners like meatloafs and lasagna to put in the cooler, so when the restaurant is closed after hours they’re able to get meals,” she said.
“With the dining room closed we have to be a bit more creative by extending our menu into our convenience store coolers to offer a few more dinners they can just microwave in their truck. What we see at our site is nothing but appreciation, they are very grateful.”
Malgunas laid off five waitresses because most of their income is based on tips they no longer get for serving meals and they are better off receiving employment insurance. One of the cooks asked for the layoff to be with her husband, who has health concerns that could leave him more vulnerable to the virus.
Drivers keep on trucking through crisis
By Ted Clarke Citizen staff
Bandstra Transportation Systems operates a fleet of 120 trucks and employs about 300 truck drivers who know as daily travelers they have a better chance of being infected by the coronavirus than if they had chosen to stay home.
Their jobs as drivers take them through the Fraser Valley to Vancouver, the two health regions where most of B.C.’s 1,203 cases of COVID-19 have been reported and all but two of the 38 deaths in the province have occurred.
Those drivers also haul goods to and from a warehouse in Edmonton, where there are 263 cases and four deaths attributed to the coronavirus.
“There’s certainly a sense of anxiety out there among the guys, but the majority of them realize the importance of their tasks and are taking it very seriously,” said company president Phil Bandstra.
“They understand there’s more risk working than staying at home but they’re committed to keep working. They’re doing their best to keep the economy going.”
Working away from most population centres, Bandstra’s drivers are used to not having any restaurants or truck stops along the way where they can stop for a meal or a coffee break, so they travel with everything they need to keep fortified.
“Down south, between Prince George and Vancouver, there’s a lot of restaurants that are catering to truckers and we really appreciate that,” he said. “But up north, we go up to the Yukon border and there’s nothing open really except gas stations. Guys make sure they pack plenty of supplies along and they’re going out and doing
their best to get everybody what they need to continue living.”
New safety protocols are enforced for the drivers and the places they deliver, and they’re told to keep two metres away from anybody, following guidelines set by the provincial health officer.
“We’re meeting our long-haul drivers out in the yard to give them instructions or paperwork, versus them coming into the office,” he said. “We’re making physical separations between long-haul drivers, office people, warehouse staff, just to keep everybody safe.”
Hershey’s sweet path through crisis
Milton Hershey, the founder of Hershey Chocolate, had a couple of failed attempts at business before he founded and built an empire of Hershey Chocolate. If the story of Milton Hershey ended there, Hershey would have been seen as a success and an inspiration to many. However, there is much more to Milton Hershey than just a successful business, because Milton Hershey was a man who cared about his employees and his communities.
Started in 1886, Hershey had success in making and selling cocoa, syrup and chocolate. Because he knew that happy employees were key to his success long before Disney or Google became famous for taking care of employees, Hershey built a community with housing, schools and parks to look after his workers between the years 1903-05.
In 1909 he opened a school for orphaned boys to give them opportunities similar to more advantaged children. However, the deciding difference that Hershey made in many people’s lives was during the great depression.
Between 1929 and 1939, the stock market crashed, jobs were hard to come by and men travelled the country on the tops of trains to find even a week’s work in order to support their families. Hershey decided that he needed to help people through the crisis and started building.
He is quoted as saying “There are 600 men here who need jobs. If I don’t give them work, I will have to feed them”
BUSINESS
COACH
DAVE FULLER
and he did. He built hotels, golf courses and skating rinks in his community. At one point when he saw two excavators on site, he asked the foreman what was going on. The man proudly announced that this latest technology was going to save time and money because it can do the work of 40 men. Hershey was dismayed and demanded that the excavators be removed so that they could put 80 men back to work.
So, what can we do as business leaders in this time of economic crisis that will make a difference? The obvious achievement would be to put people to work, so we need to do that if we can. Before you lay people off, think about all those jobs you have been putting off for weeks, months and years. Why not try to get them done now during this quiet time?
Invest in your future. Hershey came out of the depression much better than he went into it because of his investments in people and assets. Use your money wisely to develop your teams, your marketing, and your sales and service materials. Once the economy is rolling again, you will have an advantage on your competition who have been complacent and waiting for handouts. Think about supporting other business
owners who aren’t as fortunate as you are. The Professional Business Coaches Association of Canada has offered their services to help other business owners who are affected economically by the Covid 19 Crisis. What could you do that might benefit other business owners and keep people working?
Many businesses are struggling right now. Can you order in from a local small restaurant?
Think about what purchases you can have delivered to your home or office from a local business. Use your wisdom to share ideas that will improve your business community or give moral support to those around you.
Hershey stepped up when times were tough and made a difference in the lives and families of the people he hired and businesses he supported. Yes, he made money during the depression from his economic activities but even in death he was generous, creating a foundation to continue his work. What can you do now that will make a difference for your employees and for the community at large?
- Dave Fuller, MBA, is an award-winning business coach and the author of the book Profit Yourself Healthy. Need business support at this time? Book a Free Covid-19 session with Dave by going to the PBCA website www.pbcacanada.com.
MP reaches out with letter
Dear friends & families:
I write to you from my home, where Kelly and I are doing our part to limit the spread of the COVID virus.
We have been self-isolating since my return home March 15 immediately after the suspension of Parliament and the closure of our personal business on March 21 due to quarantine measures.
First, let me say that I hope this finds you all safe, healthy and doing as well as can be expected during a global pandemic.
My thoughts and prayers are with those who have loved ones fighting COVID or have lost someone to this terrible virus.
We truly are in unprecedented times.
While we have been using our social media to do our very best to communicate to you all, I wanted to write a letter to you.
It seems that the days of the handwritten note from loved ones or friends are getting fewer and fewer.
With all of the uncertainty in our lives, the social or physical distancing measures being mandated, now more than ever we need that social contact, albeit at a two-metre distance!
Through this letter, I thought I’d provide you with an update of the situation from my perspective and to remind you that while Parliament is suspended, my office and team remain available to assist you throughout these challenging times.
First, we need to thank the extraordinary doctors, nurses and other health care providers in our riding, as well as the first responders and emergency services personnel who are doing exceptional work to keep our communities , our friends and families informed, safe and healthy.
I would also like to recognize the work of our frontline workers - the grocery store clerks, pharmacy and drug store staff, truck drivers, farmers, and other essential service workers that are doing extremely important work to maintain supply chains and keep us going.
The last few weeks have been challenging to say the least.
Our world is now a very different place.
As a result of the Coronavirus pandemic that has plagued our country, our day-to-day routines have been dramatically altered. Canadians in our communities and throughout our country have found themselves out of work, out of money and in some cases, out of hope.
You’re concerned. I share your concerns.
As Canadians continue to worry about their health and the health of their loved ones - there is real concern of how they’re going to pay their bills.
While details are still being hammered out, there are now a number of new federal initiatives intended to help. The Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) will provide $2,000 per month for those who are laid off or can’t work due to the coronavirus.
The application for this benefit should be available on April 6. Families will see a temporary boost to the Canada Child Benefit, an increase to the GST credit and the government is delivering increased funding to the provinces for health care.
My colleagues and I in the official opposition continue to provide the govern-
ment with real solutions for everyday Canadians and while we are working collaboratively with all parties, we also continue to press for information and answers to important questions.
As the shadow minister for transport, I have worked collaboratively with Minister Marc Garneau on industry issues from airlines, airports and their customers, to rail, shippers and the concerns facing our truck drivers.
We have worked tirelessly around the clock with global affairs in the repatriation efforts of many constituents who have made it home and those who continue to be stranded abroad. The stories of our friends and families stranded globally during this crisis and the efforts by all to repatriate them are truly unbelievable.
There will be a time to examine the missed opportunities and failure to respond to the coronavirus pandemic sooner but now is not that time. Partisan politics have no place in a pandemic and I will do my best to continue playing a constructive role for you.
The next 14 days are critical.
I know it has been a long and emotional few weeks but now is not the time to become complacent.
We have to remain vigilant in physical distancing to keep our most vulnerable citizens safe.
Please stay home, except for essential grocery store or pharmacy runs.
And please heed all the prescribed measures to keep you and your family safe.
Do not underestimate this virus.
I want you all to know that my office and my team remain available to help you whether it is repatriation of loved ones or as the Government continues to roll out federal programs to assist Canadians with their financial needs, my team is available to answer any questions you may have.
I know that navigating federal government websites and applications can be overwhelming and we’re here to help with that.
We may be apart but we are in this together.
In this region we do “community” extremely well.
We rally around friends and neighbours in their time of need.
We need to put a greater emphasis on these efforts during these times.
Just as we did during the 2017 wildfires, be kind and generous wherever you can and lets look after one another. Finally, I want to reiterate something I said earlier.
Now more than ever, we need to stay together as a community, region and country.
While physically we may not be able to be together as friends and family, work harder at staying in touch.
Call a friend or loved one, do a group video chat via Skype or Facebook Messenger... or simply write a letter.
I wish you all the very best of health and wellness in the weeks to come. Please stay safe, be healthy and continue to heed the advice of our public health officials.
With God’s blessing, we will be able to connect in person again soon.
Todd Doherty, MP Cariboo-Prince George
Isolated seniors staying positive
Christine hinZMAnn Citizen staff
Snuggled into their seniors’ independent living complex in Prince George, one couple is doing just fine, for now.
“Ask me in another month and I might have gone batty,” Gladys Goyer laughed.
She and her husband Euclide, 89, have a two bedroom unit and within the complex others opt to have their meals provided to them and there’s options for other assists as people age and needs become greater.
“It’s hard not to hug your daughter when she comes to drop off groceries,” Gladys said. “It was hard to walk away without that hug, especially at first.”
Gladys and Euclide are quite capable of getting groceries and doing errands but their daughter has convinced them to stay safe and isolated.
As part of the coronavirus pandemic precautions, the housing complex the Goyers live in has stopped visitation except for
medical personnel, Gladys added.
Activities have stopped and restrictions, such as only two people in the elevator at once, have been declared. The small onsite library was shut for a time but now they’ve found a way to open in up three times a week.
“People have to have something to do,” Gladys said.
Only one person can go into the library at a time and when the books are returned, they are disinfected.
“So we’re trying that and hopefully it works without too many complications,” Gladys said. “They’ve done an excellent job of protecting the people here from the virus. They’re doing everything to try to protect us and they’ve done everything by the book. Touch wood, we don’t even have a flu in here, as far as I’ve heard.”
She said it’s really important to remain up-to-date on complex rules and managers are good at communicating with the
BC Hydro giving
tHree-montH Credit
The Canadian Press
BC Hydro is giving residential and small business customers a break during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Premier John Horgan says individuals who have lost wages or their jobs will be able to apply for a three-month credit on their residential power bills.
The government says the credit will not have to be repaid, which will save about $477 for the average customer.
Small business owners will also be able to apply for a three-month payment holiday on their power bills. It’s expected to save them $363 on average.
The value of the three-month residential credit will be three times the customer’s average monthly power bill over the past 12 months.
B.C. Minister of Energy Bruce Ralston said that the credit, bill forgiveness and payment deferral program will cost about $19 million.
An application form for residential customers are now available and one for businesses will be online on Monday, April 13. Both types will have until June 30 to apply.
For more information about the credit, go to www.bchydro.com.
- with files from Glacier Media
residents.
To help pass the time and remain healthy, Gladys and Euclide get some exer-
cise almost every day.
“We go for walks outside and if we see somebody we talk to them - as long as we keep our distance,” Gladys said.
There’s another issue that comes with the isolation that worries Gladys.
“You see, I have a husband and even if he doesn’t talk very much at least I have somebody,” Gladys said. “But I know of at least one lady when I asked her how she was doing she said ‘I’m very lonesome.’ So those people who are not able to get out and walk, who are just staying in their suite, I don’t know how they’re doing - I’m concerned for them and that goes for all the seniors in homes anywhere.”
Thinking about how quickly the world changed can be a bit alarming but there’s good that comes out of it too, Gladys added. Lately, people seem to be picking up the phone more often.
“I like how people are showing their concern for one another,” Gladys said.
The City of Prince George will not be enforcing time limits for parking downtown or near the hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last Thursday, the city announced the change to on-street parking and non-reserved off-street parking. Customers currently paying for parking at city parkades who want to cancel their parking spot to take advantage of the
free parking will be offered a refund on a pro-rated basis. Anyone wanting to cancel their paid parking can call 250561-7622 or contact the city by email at bylawservices@princegeorge.ca
City parking control offices will continue to enforce safety-related parking issues throughout the city, including downtown, and enforce rules for reserved parking stalls and handicapped parking spaces.
Citizen staff
Citizen file photo
euclide and Gladys Goyer are staying safe and isolated in their seniors’ complex in prince George.
Note from the publisher
If we ever needed an example of how we are all connected around the world and Prince George is part of that connection to everyone, everywhere on Earth, the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly provided that. We are all tied to one another and that especially is the case in our city. That means that we are all feeling the effects together.
For the past few weeks, we’ve told the stories of those local effects in our weekly print edition and especially on our website. And you have followed those stories, with 1.5 million page views on our website in March.
Normally, we float around 1 million page views per month. Our previous record was 1.3 million during the Cariboo wildfires evacuation in the summer
of 2017. In other words, when Prince George residents wanted timely, important and accurate local news during this crisis they turned to The Citizen. Thank you for your trust. We’ll keep doing everything we can to earn it.
Also for the last few weeks, our office has been closed to the public with many of our staff working remotely from home. The rest of our employees have been in the office, taking phone calls and doing their part to be supportive during this challenging time. The news team has been working tirelessly to share the local, provincial and national news you need on the pandemic. They are doing outstanding work. Thank you for talking to them and sharing your stories. The advertising team has been
The herd and the mob
Early in the pandemic, there was some talk by wishful politicians that herd immunity would be enough to deal with the coronavirus, that shutting down vast sections of the economy and putting millions out of work wouldn’t be necessary. The idea was that enough people would be exposed, be mildly sick for a short time and then be immune, able to work and protect others.
Two problems with COVID-19 made herd immunity impossible. First, the ability for asymptomatic people to spread the virus for days, a fact well-known early in the pandemic, despite the senior politicians proclaiming as late as last week that they had no idea.
Second, COVID-19 makes people far sicker for far longer and kills far more people than the average flu, again despite political leaders and American broadcasters insisting for too long, well into late March, that it was “just another flu.”
Herd immunity is what makes childhood vaccinations work so well. If the vast majority of children are vaccinated
NIGHT SHIFT
for measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, pertussis and so on, they form a wall of protection around the small group of children unable to be vaccinated due to underlying health conditions. If there is one silver lining in this pandemic cloud, it’s hopefully that we’ve heard the last of anti-vaxxers. It will be a vaccine, after all, that will protect humans from COVID-19. Sadly, that vaccine won’t come in time to save millions of people around the world, in our country and in our province.
Modern society has allowed many people to unplug from the herd. In a much earlier time in human history, selfishness, individuality, being a loner, going your own way was suicidal. The only way for early humans to survive in a hostile
LETTERS To The ediTor
Rethink plastiC
A brief comment on COVID-19. A sign on the way into my local grocery store caught my eye as intended today. It basically stated to not bring reusable bags into the store. The simple reason was a safety message to try to prevent the potential spread of Covid 19.
My reaction was about time that someone stated the obvious, that reusable bags are a sanitation issue. Reusable bags should be permanently banned from all retail stores. The ban on one- time use plastic bags has been poorly thought out. A better idea would be a recycling program, such as the recycling program for beverage containers. A 10 cent deposit and
a 10 cent refund at Recycle BC for clean used bags would make more sense for both the environment and the spread of existing virus like the flu or common cold and the COVID-19 virus.
Wayne Martineau, Fraser Lake
WRong CountRy
I read the Letter dismissed article in The Citizen with interest.
I came from a country, which was divided. The west side was and is free, as you could have and express any opinion, never mind how crazy. The east side was under Communist rule and there was only one opinion, only the opinion of the state
checking in with local businesses, asking how they’re doing and how they can help them weather this storm. Those local businesses continue to support us because they recognize the valuable work we do. We’re still here, still working, still serving Prince George, same as we always have. Please continue to support us. Please support all of the local businesses that stepped up. Be there for them in the same way they are here for you.
I have lived in Prince George almost my entire life and I have never been prouder of this city and its residents. Thank you, health-care workers. Thank you, mayor and city council. Thank you, MLAs and MPs. Thank you, local business owners and
operators. Thank you, employees at essential service businesses. Thank you, non-profit groups and the amazing staff and volunteers that support them. Whatever happens in the days, weeks and months again, we will get through this together. It won’t be easy and too many of us will be affected.
For those who can help in any small way, please do so in whatever way you can for those less fortunate than yourself. Stay safe, wash your hands, keep your distance, buy local, love your friends and family, smile and say hello to your neighbours and everyone you meet.
Colleen Sparrow Publisher and General Manager
environment with few resources was to band together. Self-survival was intimately tied to the health and well-being of one’s neighbour and the overall herd.
Human evolution experts are increasingly convinced by the fossil record and other evidence that homo sapiens survived while other forms of early human, such as Neanderthals, didn’t because homo sapiens were better team players, using their imagination to adjust to new situations with innovative approaches to further the longevity of the herd.
In other words, survival of the fittest isn’t individual brute strength, self-interest and mercilessly culling out the weak. It’s kinship, collaboration and kindness.
The herd ethic isn’t perfect, of course. The mob mentality is also a manifestation of the herd.
Otherwise sensible people have found themselves looting, hoarding, rioting, wilfully putting themselves and others in danger and later can’t explain why, their behaviour as senseless and against their self-interest as the creatures mindlessly
following their neighbour off a cliff.
Fortunately, the mob never prevails, although it can do catastrophic damage in a short time, up to and including destruction of itself and the herd (sounds like a virus, doesn’t it?).
Fortunately, that is rare. If it were more common, homo sapiens and the many other herd creatures wouldn’t be here today.
The herd endures.
It’s more than selflessness and altruism leading so many people to do the right thing - healthcare workers putting themselves at risk to treat people they don’t know, essential workers showing up for their shifts, families staying home to protect themselves and others from COVID-19. That’s the herd programming, hardwired deep in our brains, at work.
That’s the elephants and the bison and the musk ox forming a circle around the most vulnerable members of the herd while facing the external threat head-on. For them and us, then and now, the herd is salvation, the mob annihilation.
counted and you had better did not deviate from it.
I had and still have relatives in the eastern part. I know the people over there did not express their own opinions, as they were afraid that someone would snitch on them.
This happened to a lady dentist, as she did not agree with the system. She was a bit too open and had to serve four years in prison.
After the end of Communist rule, people were able to check the government files and - lo and behold - the lady dentist found out that her own brother did the snitching on her.
I am happy to live in a free country,
where everyone could have a different opinion.
I would like to tell the woman who complained to the National NewsMedia Council that I believe she is in the wrong country.
Uwe Finger, Prince George gRateful ReadeR
Mr. Godbout, I read your very thoughtful online editorial (Challenging medical authorities) today and was immensely grateful for it.
I am terrified thinking how vulnerable the Northern B.C. population is - particularly First Nations. Truth and fairness is so valuable in these times.
Janet Ledwell,
Montreal
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This is our defining moment
I have recently found myself with a considerable amount of free time. Like many, I have become an economic casualty of the pandemic. Although it has been a relatively short time, my economically imposed exile is beginning to irk my wrath. I am an introvert, so this seems like a win-win. I get to be a hermit AND lessen the risk to myself and others. What I find irksome is that it has been strongly suggested that I limit my movements. Just like it is strongly suggested I pull the ripcord whilst I skydive. A suggestion wisely acted upon. Enough about me.
My original intent for this column was to highlight the arts community in the region and I will, However, I believe there is something more important at play in this very moment in time.
There are moments in history that offer a generation, a society, a nation to define itself. This is, I believe, one of those moments. My generation and those
GUEST COLUMN
MICHAEL KAST
that have followed, have had it relatively easy. We didn’t need to fight a war or two, we didn’t suffer through a depression although 2008 was pretty scary. Those moments also defined a generation. Of course, I rebelled against that generation until I became old enough to learn what pragmatism was. Pragmatism without sacrificing my ideals.
What I’m trying to say is we have had it relatively easy. Sure, there was the FLQ, separatists, the AIDS crisis, the proliferation of nukes, the prime mortgage crisis, global economic recession, smaller pandemics, global terrorism and the rise of ultra nationalism. We have weathered these and each tested our mettle.
What comes next?
On March 11 at 11 p.m., just before I dozed off, my youngest stepped into the bedroom and quoted Theoden from The Two Towers in a voice filled with all the dramatic weight she could muster: “And so it begins.”
COVID-19 had likely made its appearance at her place of work and she was asked to self-isolate for two weeks.
We have entered a world most of us haven’t experienced before. Businesses across the country have closed like dominos, store shelves have inexplicably been emptied as people panic-buy in fear of shortages. Surgeries and other non-emergency procedures have been cancelled. Stepping outside means being struck by a blizzard of our great-granchildren’s money, not just late-spring flurries. A few communities have blockaded their roads trying to keep potential virus-bearing visitors out. Suddenly, we have new heroes: health care workers, grocery store staff and even delivery drivers. A bit of goodwill has even trickled down to truckers. Farmers and ranchers are in, concerts and events are out. Suddenly Zoom is a common word. It’s like a tumble-down world.
What comes next? If the whole COVID-19 thing proves to be nothing but bad science
THINKING ALOUD
TRUDY KLASSEN
and poor record-keeping, then we need to hold a public inquiry and fire a whole lot of people who should have known but didn’t say anything. The collapse of our economy is on their heads, and the least we can do for them is to find them meaningful work, but nowhere near a position of authority. If COVID-19 either dies out or is stopped by a vaccine, we need to insist on a better pandemic threat reduction plan. We need to implement some sort of regular airport screening that will test for fevers and coughs and significantly reduce the transmission of viruses across international borders. Yes, there will be people who are so determined to travel that they will sneak through regardless, but nothing is 100 per cent. We need to reconsider whether our dependence on the WHO is warranted, in light of their very poor management of this crisis. We need to consider whether running our hospitals at 102 per cent of
Having said that, there has been nothing like what we are experiencing now. This does not recognize race, politics, sect, denomination, culture, socio-economic status, age or gender. It cares not for borders. It will infect a host wherever and whenever it can. It is therefore imperative that we take this opportunity (probably not the best choice of words) to show who we are what we are made of and how we can overcome this scourge.
The operative word here is “we.” Our Canadian leaders, whether you voted for them or not, have stood up and dare I say risen to the occasion. They are doing what I hired them to do. They are looking after my wellbeing whilst balancing the needs of many other Canadians. I may not always agree with the methods or the plan as a whole and believe that more can be done for other sectors like, oh, I don’t know, say art and artists.
Our leaders could have chosen to
capacity is a bad idea. We need to ask why B.C. has the fewest numbers of ventilators per person in Canada, and why Canada has the fewest numbers of ventilators per capita of the developed world. We can also ask for better plans for physical distancing that don’t close parks and swimming pools so that people can survive without becoming zombies. We need to find out why we didn’t do what South Korea and Singapore did. We need to emulate what those free-market, democratic governments did, rather than follow Communist China. Then, we will have to pay off the massive debt we are accumulating because the printed money flow cannot continue indefinitely. One way Canada could immediately make a difference is by improving productivity, which is behind most G-7 nations. The plastics plant recently despised by some members of our health community may now find new support as we don’t hate disposable products quite so much after all. Perhaps there will be a huge market for masks, protective clothing and equipment, that uses plastic?
We need to think hard about ways to support families struggling with home life so that their kids can be safe at home. The fallout from physical distancing and school
behave quite differently they could have taken the route of say, a narcissistic leader whose initials are POTUS. Quite a different response to the pandemic down there. Look north, my friends, and see what you refer to as socialism, at work. It’s not perfect and it may not be my ideal response.
I won’t lose my house, I won’t lose my health insurance, my hydro and heat won’t be cut off, I’ll have enough food. Now it’s time for me to do my part. I need to get all the facts and make an informed decision. Social distancing works. Staying at home works. Limit contact with others works. Hey, if 10 people tell me I have a tail, I probably have a tail. Not worrying about myself so much and looking after my neighbours. How can I be of service? How can I be useful? How can I help to define us as a nation of compassion? How can I be the best Canadian I can be?
closures will be especially hard on those families. Too many of our services are focused on someone else providing help and relief once kids are in danger, when we should be exploring ways to help individuals to help themselves. Improved and more accessible drug addiction rehab and therapy could prevent much of the danger kids face when their parents struggle. This will require a massive re-think in our mental, social service, drug addiction and health care spending priorities.
Necessity is the mother of invention. I have great faith in the average person coming up with innovative solutions for their own situations. Business people do the same thing. New markets will be discovered and products will be improved. Much like in times of war, it will be individuals, not governments, that will provide the most helpful solutions.I appreciate the work of those in government, and appreciate the hard work of our elected public servants, but in the end, they depend on each of us to think, to chose wisely, and to make a difference where we can, because they can’t be everywhere. And we want to keep it that way.
How this ends depends on what we do with the time given to us.
Brain injuries hurt relationships
In this article, I will be focusing on challenges in relationships after brain injury, specifically spousal relationships. I will be writing other articles on this topic because there are so many aspects to cover.
As brain injured survivors and their spouses can tell you, there are many complex dynamics in the brain that impact significantly on functioning after injury. One area that is commonly affected is the connection between emotions and rational thinking.
According to the manual Rebuilding Relationships After Brain Injury (developed by Prince George Brain Injured Society, 2019), the imbalance of emotions and rational thinking can be most impactful on a relationship.
The limbic system, located in the middle of the brain is known as the “child brain.” The limbic system does not think or reason and does not mature past the age of a young child. The purpose of the limbic system is survival and to express raw
BOGGLED
DIANE NAKAMURA
emotions such as happiness and fear. The “me,” “I want,” “I don’t want” is the survival aspect seeking relief and avoiding pain. In the frontal lobes of the brain exists rational thinking also known as the “adult brain.” The frontal lobes filter out emotions and are the home base for thinking, reasoning and logic, sending out messages such as “I should,” “be fair” and “do what is right.”
In a healthy adult brain, the limbic system and frontal lobes communicate and work with each other to maintain a responsible and balanced response to internal and external stimuli.
After injury, the relationship between the
limbic system and frontal lobes becomes fractured. The frontal lobes are slower to respond and the limbic system takes over. As a result, there is no balance or filtering ability and the raw emotions come spilling out. The injured partner is not able to think before they talk and/or act. There is also an opposite extreme. The injured partner may not feel emotions and presents as flat and empty.
In my case, my emotions are flat. The assumption that this is better than being explosive is far from accurate. Trust me when I say that being emotionally flat is not a blessing. Not being able to express emotions angers and annoys people just as much as an unfiltered child brain response. Appearing like I don’t care or have no empathy has brought the people in my circle and me much grief because this is not who I was before injury. There are factors that can make the imbalance between rational and emotional worse. Pain, fatigue, unexpected events,
frustration, anxiety, depression and fear can tip the overloaded plate. To make matters even worse, the uninjured partner can become unbalanced in their child and adult brains as well. Both the injured partner and their spouse have needs they want met. How they achieve this is an individual and ongoing process that requires communication and incredible patience and self discipline.
In my previous column, I wrote about flooding. In some instances, flooding can prevent an outburst if the survivor is aware of what their triggers are. To flood or shut down can be a strategy to avoid an unpleasant scene. Although flooding can be damaging to the injured brain, under some circumstances, survivors resort to this to prevent further damage to their relationships. This is one example of how complex the dynamics can be when faced with a dilemma and having to make a trade off to achieve some form of balance in a strained relationship.
New reality, old problem
Humans have always been engaged in a battle with microbial organisms. Life is a constant engagement with other organisms struggling to survive. At its heart, this is evolution by natural selection. As a species, our battle with microbial species really took off when we shifted from hunter gatherers to agriculturalists. With settling down and breeding animals, we entered into a much closer relationship with our stock. Often, animals would be allowed to roam through the house. Certainly farmers had to take on many tasks for animals that they would have never considered prior to the development of husbandry. I mean, who would consider shoveling manure for wild species?
With the development of agriculture came settlements which, in turn, resulted in many more social interactions with a larger group of people. This was both a good and bad thing from the perspective of engaging with micro-organisms. The good was a bigger gene pool resulting in a greater diversity of genetics associated with the immune system. The bad was the
RELATIVITY
TODD
potential for one person to infect many. And, of course, large settlements attracted vermin along with the domesticated animals. But animals also carry disease.
Our development of civilization was and remains a two-edged sword.
We now have a world-wide civilization. It takes very little time to travel halfway around the world. Indeed, with some careful planning and lucky connections, it is quite possible to go all the way around the world in 48 hours – a feat not even conceivable for much of our history and dependent on modern transportation.
We now have the capacity to move faster than disease has a chance to manifest. And this, to a large extent, is what is driving the present pandemic. People who feel and appear perfectly healthy are unknowingly
spreading the virus far and wide. Why is this coronavirus so much worse than a typical flu? The answer has to do with RNA – ribonucleic acid. It has to do with genetics, ours and the virus itself.
Flu is an all-too-human virus. It is well adapted to human biochemistry as it has been surviving within our populations for centuries. And generally speaking we are well adapted to it. The DNA/RNA chains making up the virus along with the proteins they express are recognized by the human immune system. This means you have inherited some level of defense within your own genome and your body has some level of immunity acquired through prior exposure or by vaccination.
Novel viruses – such as COVID-19 –are not human viruses. They arise from animals. The World Health Organization spends a great deal of time and energy monitoring novel viruses in animals and watching for mutations. The viruses are usually transferred only from animal to animal. For example, H1N1 was originally a virus only affecting pigs while the Spanish
In dark times, faith shines
The Exsultet proclaims, “Our birth would have been no gain had we not been redeemed! O truly necessary sin of Adam, destroyed completely by the death of Christ! O happy fault, that earned so great, so glorious a Redeemer,” at the beginning of the Easter Vigil. This is all that we believe as Christians summarized in a few lines, canted in tones older than Christendom itself. It is also the greatest explanation of what Chesterton labelled the true sign of Christianity: paradox.
To rationalize faith is a fool’s errand, particularly in dark times. Certainly, faith and reason are compatible - Christianity is not a contradiction, though it appears foolishness to modern materialists and a stumbling block to resigned fatalists. Indeed, salvation history is not static but dynamic: contingent and conditional statements greet us on every page of the Holy Bible. That is the deepest underlying paradox: that the Almighty invites our participation. Adam and Eve were given conditionswhen tempted, they fell. Abraham tried to make his own path at times, creating errors that continue to this day. David,
flu was found in birds. But every once in a while, one of these animal viruses mutates and is able to jump species. And sometimes the jump is from the original host to us. This is when it becomes a real problem. Why? Because we have no natural defense mechanism in place. Our immune system doesn’t know how to deal with the invader. Our biochemical defenses are not primed to fight it off. As long as the transmission remains animal to human, it is a problem – particularly for anyone infected – but it doesn’t have the potential to become a pandemic. But at some point the virus might develop the capacity to transfer from human-tohuman. Once that happens, we are in the contagion phase and things can quickly escalate out of control.
The only tool we really have in our medical shed is to not give the virus any chance of jumping from person-to-person. Selfisolation may not be fun but until we find other solutions, it is our only choice. Either that or going back to be simple hunter gatherers.
I always believe that life has something to teach us, we just need to listen. It is interesting to note that experts in many fields have been warning about a global pandemic for years. Prof. Frank Chalk, the director of the Montreal Institute for Genocide Studies, for example, has pointed out that when we help the most vulnerable people on the other side of the world, we are actually helping ourselves. Similarly, the harm we do may come back to haunt us.
Refugee camps are breeding grounds for infectious diseases. In 1994, the world not only turned its back on Rwanda, there is evidence that western powers, perhaps inadvertently, provided weapons which fueled the genocide. This resulted in nearly one million deaths, or more if one considers the aftermath of the violence.
The Rwandan Genocide also resulted in the mass movement of refugees. Disease was a major cause of death in refugee camps at that time, but fortunately none of them spread beyond the immediate area.
supposedly a man after God’s own heart, committed adultery, giving us Psalm 51, sung as Miserere Mei Deus. Jesus’ lineage includes David’s sin, as well as prostitutes. Mary, though chosen before time, freely said “be it done unto me according to thy word.” And God incarnate suffered death and was buried.
We are not creatures of our time - rather, we are created beings who participate in the divine drama that began with “Let there be light.” Why would the all-knowing, all-powerful God bother with such an insignificant, concupiscent species? Out of pure love, that carries us out of bondage, overcomes death, and promises eternal life. It is indeed a divine comedy - there is a resolution to all time and tragedy, a final triumph where infinite goodness vanquishes finite evil.
This pandemic’s
Disease, however, will always be a major risk whenever there is this kind of mass movement of people.
Until now, COVID-19 has not decimated any refugee camps, though there are valid concerns being expressed in many trouble spots in the world. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called for a global ceasefire as we proceed through the pandemic. Many leaders of these conflicts have fortunately agreed to stop fighting. We can only hope that this will be enough to limit the spread of the virus, and that it will have a lasting impact.
We need to remember that this is not the first global pandemic, nor will it be the last. It has become very clear that viruses like COVID-19 do not distinguish by national-
To be clear, there is a battle, beginning in our own hearts with our own divided will, often misled by our dreary world, especially in times such as these. Believing in God’s sovereignty is never easy, but perhaps less of a struggle when the sky doesn’t appear to be falling. To confess that His plan is at work even now is quite likely the opposite of what many want to hear; but we who believe cannot say anything else, “for if they remain silent, the very stones will cry out.”
The Triduum - Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil - might show us the way we are to grapple with our current catastrophe. Did we take our last gathering for granted? Have we deliberately tried to avoid coming to terms with the task ahead? Are we unjustly persecuting or insulting those who tried to help us? Are we really doing the most we can to bear one another’s crosses during this climb up our global Golgotha? Will we run away when we are needed most?
As has been noted elsewhere, this plague has put the entire world on a Lenten journey - celebrations have been cancelled,
places of gathering shuttered. Like the saints covered during Holy Week, we exist under a veil of uncertainty, waiting for the final victory over death. All of us are at the foot of the cross, cradling our dashed hopes, wondering how it could come to this; in a literal sense, even our burials today are perfect imitations of Christ’s own - expedient and silent.
Perhaps that is the paradox of our times - at the height of our decadence and knowledge, with all the powers mankind has taken unto himself, we are asking “deliver us from evil.” On the eve of the Triduum, the three holiest days in the Christian calendar, we are praying for a miracle, in chorus with two millennia of history and every soul who has faced such troubled times. Relief has come in ages past by such earnest supplication - hopefully the Almighty grants our petition.
“Christ...coming back from death’s domain, has shed his peaceful light on humanity, and lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.”
May we all take up the Exultet’s ending as our refrain.
ity, ethnicity, income level or religion. For some, the impact is more devastating, but we can all get the virus, carry it and spread it regardless of whether or not we become symptomatic. One thing is certain: COVID19 has made clear that we share a common humanity with an exclamation point.
Many countries have responded effectively to this outbreak. We have been led by medical professionals who hold the well being of individuals as their highest priority, and many political leaders have recognized the significance of the common working person as their country’s most valuable resource. We each have a part to play, we are going to get through this crisis and we are going to do it together.
After things settle and we look back on COVID 19, we need to recognize the lesson it taught us about looking after one another. We cannot go on selling weapons to one another and funding senseless overt and covert conflicts. We have to come together as a common humanity.
It is also becoming clear that medi-
cal care is a human right. It is not only immoral to deny someone the care they need, it can be deadly to all of us. Diseases develop and spread rapidly where people live without proper medical care. Societies that neglect to recognize this human right do so at their own peril. We also need to take care of our world. Global warming is real and left unabated it will make parts of the world uninhabitable. This too will cause mass movements of people, leading to humanitarian crises and the potential development of further pandemics. In essence, COVID-19 has provided us with a wakeup call. Most people have responded by showing care and concern for other human beings. Most have shown a willingness to do their part to help the world through this crisis. Now we need to change our practices. Cherish our planet. End armed conflict. Provide medical care for all citizens of the world. And for goodness sake, let’s just be good to one another.
We really are all in this together.
No boundaries with COVID-19
Dr. bonnie henry
Special to The Citizen
When an outbreak hits a community, one of the most urgent things people want is information. This is human nature, as information allows us to protect ourselves, our families and our loved ones.
Information is at the heart of public health: knowing what our risks are, where they are coming from and who is affected. One of the key ways we gather information is through active contact tracing, when public-health teams map the transmission, alert those at risk and close the circle to break the chain.
Public-health protocols also dictate that when the potential for transmission is unknown, we must immediately alert the public.
From the very beginning of the COVID19 outbreak in B.C., we have been doing exactly that – alerting people to the risks within communities through regular briefings and connecting with individuals who are close contacts. When we cannot close the circle, we open the circle.
Public health is boots-on-the-ground health care, which means teams work to connect with each and every person who may be at risk of exposure to COVID-19. We do this to provide individual support and, equally important, to continue to follow the transmission trail.
Initially, public-health teams identified the source of transmission was from
travellers. That is why our briefings listed travel locations and cruise ships. With that information known, we were able to put precautions in place.
However, as we have seen here in B.C. and globally, once there is community transmission, there is no boundary to the
spread of COVID-19. Simply put, the risk is everywhere.
It would be irresponsible to mention only a few communities and give people outside those areas a false sense that they are not susceptible or at lower risk. Every health region in British Columbia has
Takla offers help during crisis
christine hinzmann Citizen staff
The Takla First Nation has budgeted $1 million to support its members during the coronavirus pandemic.
“”We’ve built our own support system,” Takla Nation Chief John French said. “Leadership has approved just under $1 million budget in conjunction with trying to see what we can recover from some of the other programs available to us. The $1 miilion is from our own resources to help membership and we came up with a whole formula to best do this and keep it fair among the members.”
The Takla Nation, north of Fort St. James, has set up a hotline with a toll-free number for members to be able to reach out for help, he added.
“So any of the questions that are coming in regards to our own nation’s support system, government programs or any other incentives or supports that may be out there from other organizations, this hotline is going to be able to help our members, especially our elders, to understand it or help them with applications for any support they may be seeking,” French said in a phone interview.
“I think that’s a great initiative that we’ve got.”
It’s been a challenge to plan for something that’s never happened before, he added.
“We have a really great team and all the staff have stepped up to the plate to support one another.”
Self isolation and practicing social distancing within an isolated close-knit community can present problems and French said getting the message across to residents on the Takla territory has been another challenge they are dealing with.
“I’ve seen on TV that we all seem to have the same struggle,” French said. “Kudos to those who have taken all the precaution-
ary measures, practicing social distancing and all that, however we have another group of people who seem to carry on as per normal and that’s been challenging to try and get the message to people to take it seriously. I think that’s one of our bigger challenges.”
French said as a community they are putting more restrictions in place to protect the residents.
There are road checks in place to regulate those going into and out of Takla territory and non-residents are not permitted entry, he added.
“I know it just adds to the stress of the situation and they’re just not used to this type of the thing but we’re working through it,” French said. “We need to
people with COVID-19. Every community and home town – no matter how large or small – is at risk.
As we notify the public about COVID-19 cases, we have been careful about how much we disclose about the personal details of people who were potentially exposed and the specific location of confirmed cases. This is because, as with many communicable diseases, there is still very much of a stigma associated with infection.
We want people who have symptoms to contact us and to feel safe contacting us, knowing their personal information will be protected. This is important to everyone. It allows public-health teams to do the work they need to do to keep all of us safe.
So, while I understand the desire to know and understand what the COVID-19 situation is in your community, I need to emphasize that knowing where the positive cases are does not protect you, your family or your community. The actions you take will do that.
No one is immune from this disease, but everyone can make a difference. Every British Columbian has a part to play to flatten the curve.
Wash your hands, do not touch your face, stay home if you are ill, and stay apart with physical distancing. Let’s all do the right thing.
- Dr. Bonnie Henry is B.C.’s provincial health officer.
tion to have.”
There have been some coronavirus symptoms exhibited by some Takla First Nations people and testing has come back negative and while that’s good news precautionary measures will continue to be taken, French said.
“The testing piece is a big challenge in Takla a little more but also in BC and Canada,” he added. “It’s the unknown that can present a problem. Getting results from testing - we’ve been hearing it takes anywhere from 72 hours up to 14 days to get some tests back - that’s a big thing, right? By the time we confirm something the community would be at a large risk if the person is not practicing self isolation.”
To keep communication open, French said he has been doing videos and posting them on their social media platforms as well as livestreaming that has seen a lot of engagement.
The main message was to understand the coronavirus pandemic is a serious issue and preventative action needs to be taken.
protect our most vulnerable elders and infants.”
A most recent heartbreak occurred when a beloved member of the Takla Nation passed away in Vancouver.
Traditionally there is ceremony attached to that, with a potlatch where all gather to mourn together and comfort each other. Facetiming at a time of grief has been difficult.
Bringing the loved one home also presented a problem and it was difficult to tell those who wanted to come back to the territory to stay where they were for the time being, he added.
“I convinced the family to have a very small funeral in Prince George,” French said. “That was a very difficult conversa-
“I’ve also been doing personal messaging with members,” French said. “That’s one of the most reliable sources for me out here.”
The priority for the Takla Nation is to support its more than 800 members any way they need to be supported where ever they are located.
There are about 130 members that reside on the traditional territory, the rest live in Prince George and other parts of the province and country.
French said he has retained his nation’s language and that proves useful when addressing many of the elders who would rather hear first hand about all the supports available to them instead of trying to wade through all the paperwork.
“I think we’ve gotten to a point where we’re covering all our bases and I feel pretty good about that,” French said.
CP Photo
B.C. provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie henry provides an update on the coronavirus in the province, during a news conference in Vancouver, on March 18.
takla first nation Chief John french speaks at an announcement at Uda Dune Baiyoh in Prince George in January.
CL ASSIF IEDS
In Memoriam
WILLIAM
On your birthday and every day
Always missed and always loved “more than all the grains of sand...”
MELINDA KOTSCH
2x48.0 PGC001983
Kotsch,Helmar September25,1943-March18,2020
OnMarch18,surroundedbyhislovedones,Helmarleft thisEarthtojoinhislove,Helen.Helmarwasbornin Magdeburg,GermanyandimmigratedtoCanadaasa youngboyaftertheSecondWorldWar.Heworkedasa Bricklayer/Masonforhisentirecareer.HelmarandHelen lovedtravellingtoArizonainthewinterandhadmany fondmemoriesandstoriesoftheirtimeswithfriends downsouth.Helmarlovedfamily,camping,natureand music.Hewillbedeeplymissedandwillforeverbeinour hearts.RestnowPapa,weloveyou.
-Kevin,Melinda,andDecklen Noservicebyrequest.
Eric Paterson Wilson
April 23, 1950March 27, 2020
It is with a heavy heart we announce the sudden passing of Eric Wilson, at the age of 69, on March 27, 2020. He will be deeply missed by family, many friends and work colleagues.
Eric is predeceased by his parents William and Jane and brothers Alastair and Leslie. He is survived by his loving wife Garnette; children Wade(Carrie) and Grant(Nicola); grandchildren Justin, Micheal and Matthew, Joel, Jordan, Jakob; mother-in-law Noreen; brother-in-law George; siblings Hilda and Ian(Marg); nieces Lara, Krista, Jennifer, Amy, Leah, Sandra and Nikki and nephews John, Brent, Angus, Andrew and Eddie.
Special thank you to Lorie, Ian and Marg for their support and help through this difficult time.
Eric truly enjoyed working in his backyard and attending to his vegetable gardens. He was always the first to give a lending hand to his neighbours or anyone who required it. Some of his best time was just having a beer and conversations with family and friends sitting in his treasured backyard.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Arthritis Society or the Prince George Animal Rescue.
A Celebration of Life to follow at a later date. Condolences may be offered at AssmansFuneralChapel.com
REMEMBRANCES
Irving Mann
Apr 17, 1934Mar 9, 2020
Irving “Irv” George Mann, aged 85, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 09, 2020 at Tabor Home in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada.
Irv was born one of three children in Prince George, British Columbia, on April 17, 1934, the son of Irving and Erna Mann, to brother Harold Mann, and sister Viola Marquette, (all pre-deceased).
Irv was hard-working, dedicated son, brother, husband, father, uncle, cousin, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. He was a respected businessman, owner, operator and creator of Zono Filters Ltd. (Kamloops), Northern Magneto (Prince George), and Mann’s Automotive (Smithers).
He was known as an earnest, enthusiastic committed member of the Lions Club, in Chase, Kamloops, Prince George, and Smithers, spearheading a variety of service projects over his 60+ years tenure and receiving the prestigious “Life Membership” award.
He held rank in the Air Cadets, was one of the early pioneers of PGARA, an avid Stock Car Driver, a Certified Pilot. He loved to dance with his wife Kassie, had a zeal for life, quick witted and having a sense of humor.
Irv loved his family first and foremost, married to his wife of over 65 years, Kathleen “Kassy”.
Irv will be deeply missed by his family, son Irv (Barb) Mann of Prince George, BC, daughter, Shirley (Wilf) Brown, of Abbotsford, BC, son, Ken (Jennifer) Mann of Kamloops, BC, daughter, Joey-Lynn Mann of Orlando, Florida. His grandchildren, Gennine (Travis) Mann, CherieAnn Mann (pre-deceased), Jody (Aaron) Bonnett, Jayce (Jody) Mann, Liane (Mike) Segger, Kelsey Mann, Kenny (Chelsea) Mann, Brian and Courtney Mann, Jack Adams, and his eleven great grandchildren.
The Family wishes to thank all the staff that cared for him.
June 30, 1949 – March 29, 2020
Surrounded by her loving family, Sandra Einfeldt passed away on March 29, 2020.
Sandra was born in Wellington, New Zealand in 1949 and turned 4 on the SS Lakemba coming to Canada. She attended school in Rossland and Trail before moving to Vancouver to attend UBC. She learned to ski and race on Red Mountain at an early age, and had fond memories of family outings for fishing, berry picking, and camping throughout the Kootenays.
In 1972-73 she travelled around the world, exploring New Zealand and 25 other countries with her fiancé Flemming Einfeldt, whom she married in 1973. They settled in Prince George, where she became a realtor and appraiser. She was active in the Canadian Ski Patrol and pursued interests that brought her closer to nature, including gardening, hiking, painting, photography, and her favorite activities of kayaking and cross country skiing.
She is survived by her husband Flemming; sons Tony (Susan) and Greg; sisters Jennifer (Rob) and Andrea (Frank); nephew Duncan (Emma); and sisters-in-law Margot, Kirsten, and Susanne and their children and grandchildren.
A Celebration of Sandra’s life will be held at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to the BC Cancer Foundation and the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club.
Our deepest gratitude to the doctors and staff at Dr. B. Hagen’s practice, the BC Cancer Agency, Northern Health, and Interior Health who helped her throughout this long battle.
Sandra Madeline Einfeldt
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Maintenance Supervisor
Millar Western is a progressive forest company offering diverse, rewarding careers in great Alberta communities, with excellent advancement opportunities and a healthy work-life balance.
Western’s Fox Creek Wood Products Division, at Fox Creek, AB, is seeking an experienced Maintenance Supervisor. Reporting to the Production Manager, the successful candidate will play a key role in managing a cohesive team of maintenance personnel within a professional environment focused on safety and product quality. This individual will responsible for the development and implementation of budgets, the ongoing management of preventative maintenance processes and the coordination of day-to-day activities for the maintenance shift at the company’s sawmill. The successful applicant will have several years of progressively responsible experience, preferably in a sawmill environment trades qualification as well as experience with SAP and/or other computerized maintenance systems is required. Excellent analytical, trouble shooting, interper sonal, communication and computer skills are essential. information can be found on our website.
Maintenance Supervisor
Maintenance Supervisor
Maintenance
Millar Western’s Fox Creek Wood Products Division, at Fox Creek, AB, is seeking an experienced Maintenance Supervisor. Reporting to the Production Manager, the successful candidate will play a key role in managing a cohesive team of maintenance personnel within a professional work environment focused on safety and product quality. This individual will be responsible for the development and implementation of budgets, the ongoing management of preventative maintenance processes and the coordination of day-to-day activities for the maintenance shift at the company’s sawmill. The successful applicant will have several years of progressively responsible experience, preferably in a sawmill environment. A trades qualification as well as experience with SAP and/or other computerized maintenance systems is required. Excellent analytical, trouble shooting, interpersonal, communication and computer skills are essential. More information can be found on our website.
Application deadline: April 30, 2020
Application deadline: April 30, 2020 your resume and cover letter, citing position in subject line, to: careers@millarwestern.com Visit MillarWestern.com resourceful company.
Send your resume and cover letter, citing position in subject line, to: careers@millarwestern.com
maintenance personnel within a professional work environment focused on safety and product quality. This individual will be responsible for the development and implementation of budgets, the ongoing management of preventative maintenance processes and the coordination of day-to-day activities for the maintenance shift at the company’s sawmill The successful applicant will have several years of progressively responsible experience, preferably in a sawmill environment A trades qualification as well as experience with SAP and/or other computerized maintenance systems is required. Excellent analytical, trouble shooting, interpersonal, communication and computer skills are essential. More information can be found on our website. Application deadline: April 30, 2020
Send your resume and cover letter, citing position in subject line, to: careers@millarwestern.com
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