After a blizzard

Appreciating those who keep the city functioning through snowstorms

If I mention to you the snowstorm that took place on Tuesday November 16, I’m sure you’ll know exactly what day I’m talking about. You’ll probably have your own set of stories about not being able to get out of your driveway or street, seeing countless vehicles stuck in various places across the city, or about the snow day that schools got. No matter where you were or what time you experienced it at, there was no way for any of us to avoid that storm.

But what about those who don’t have the luxury of complaining about the storm from the comfort of their own home, those who are forced to go out and brave the elements? I’m talking about more than just the first responders who were out there. I’m talking about the tow truck drivers, all the crews that were removing snow, and the electricians restoring heat and power to our homes, among many others. We sing the praises of our first responders often and we should, as the work they do certainly warrants it, but we cannot forget about those who are the foundation of our cities during these types of storms. Without these unsung heroes, we wouldn’t be going anywhere.

Think for a moment about anytime that you’ve been forced to stand outside when it’s cold and blustery. Maybe that’s been a few minutes while you wait for your parents to unlock the front door to your home, or maybe it’s curled up in an ice-skating shack trying to thaw your fingers and toes after hours on the rink. Now, I want you to think about being that cold, or even a little bit colder, and being required to continue to be outside, trying to maneuver through piles of snow all while dealing with a distressed stranger. Welcome to being a tow truck driver.

How about any time you’ve panicked as the car you’re in, or possibly operating, hits a patch of ice and your back end fishtails behind you? If you think that’s hard while driving through streets that have already been cleared, try being the person clearing them, not knowing how much ice might be underneath all off the freshly fallen snow.

It is easy for us to sit back in our warm homes and complain about the storm rag-

Wikipedia Commons You better be coming back for those snow ridges you have caused. ing outside through the night. It is another thing to be one of the people who must brave the elements and pray that they can do the job that is required before the world wakes up and keeps going. The world would cease to move if it weren’t for these brave souls going out and doing the work that the rest of us would be incapable of performing, ensuring that main roads are cleared, that sidewalks and parking lots have been shovelled, and setting down salt and sand to ensure that we have traction for both our cars and feet.

I would never be able to go out in the middle of the night and begin that process without being terrified, knowing that someone may lose control on a patch of ice or not slow down when passing me stopped on the side of the road. Going to work and knowing that the biggest workplace hazards are the unknown things brought forth by mother nature and the other individuals who are doing whatever they can do to also return to their nice, warm beds must be terrifying.

For those who put themselves in the way of the elements to ensure that the rest of us can keep moving forward with our day to day lives, I commend and appreciate everything you do.

sarah nakonechny

op-ed editor

Commuting without a vehicle

Options for getting around Regina when owning a car isn’t one

It’s that time of the year again – the white winter landscape that starts to develop sometime around early to mid-October and stays till about the end of April each season. Winter brings with it numerous activities such as skiing, curling, and ice fishing along with a variety of celebrations like Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Years for those who choose to celebrate.

To embrace winter, staying warm and commuting are two essential survival techniques to master. Here are useful options for commuting both within and outside the city during the winter months.

Public transit can be the most consistent and reliable form of transportation within the city. Public transit requires passengers to have a bus pass or bus fare in lieu of individually commuting between different locations. University of Regina students have access to subsidized bus passes available each semester which is highly beneficial during the winter. The website of the public transit in Regina called TransitLive provides real time information to commuters about bus timings and routes. The map also includes the locations where roads are blocked due to construction or other mishaps if there are any. The public transit system has also included on-demand bus stops at specific locations. It is interesting to know that if a person is unable to get to a designated bus stop due to bad weather conditions, a palm-out hand waving signal is all it takes to stop an upcoming bus, regardless of whether the spot is a bus stop.

Carpooling is another option for those looking for something other than public transit. The extent of carpooling options depend on the networking circle of a person. Various workplaces, culture clubs, or social media groups like Regina Rides allow people to request or reply to carpooling options for any transportation requirements. The degree to which carpooling options are viable depends on the level of trust and reliability people share amongst themselves. Sometimes generous strangers agree to offer a ride to a person waiting for transport on a cold winter evening.

An easy-to-access commute alternative is cabs that are available at the click of button on your cell phone. Uber, which is one of the highly used transportation apps, arrived in Regina in 2019. Other cab service companies include Co-Op Taxi, Regina Cabs, and Capital Cabs to name a few. These cabs can be easily booked with a phone call, and on most occasions offer great service. Cabs are pricier than public transit and carpooling options, but nevertheless serve as a handy way to get around the city in winter.

Some people also travel back and forth outside the city for work or pleasure during the winter. On such occasions intercity bus and shuttle services are useful. Rider Express is an intercity bus service provider that allows users to book rides to cities like Saskatoon, Edmonton, and Winnipeg among other locations. Bookings can be made by calling their office or through apps like Busbud. For commuting between different cities, it is advisable to book in advance and follow up with the service provider to know about any changes in schedule or route.

Winter can be tough without a personal vehicle - but on the flipside, with the options explored above, commuting either alone or in a group can turn out to be an exciting and adventurous journey.

sonali currie contributor

No matter which side of this love/hate relationship you’re on, respect is key

Body modifications come in many different forms. Whether it is piercings, lip fillers, cosmetic surgery, coloured hair, or tattoos, you have probably seen it all on your Instagram explore page. Of course, everyone has their own thoughts regarding them. Some view them as controversial, others believe it is okay if it doesn’t hurt anyone. Body modifications today are more common than we have ever seen before.

I personally don’t care what people choose to do with their bodies. I believe that people should think about them seriously before getting something done just because it is what is trending on Tiktok. 20 years ago, the ideal standard was to be thin. Today, while thinness is still a standard, so are curves. This is the main reason why Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBLs) are common today despite the health risks. There are some body modifications that come with a serious cost. BBLs, for example, have a higher mortality rate. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons stated that the BBL death rate was 1 in 3,000 in 2018, higher than any other cosmetic procedure. This affects younger people much more as they’re exposed to much more through social media today. It is hard to keep up with beauty standards, the current trend of tattoos, fillers, Botox, and other cosmetic procedures.

I always say that I don’t think I would survive as a functioning person if I was a teenager in the age of TikTok and Instagram. Young girls especially are told that they must fit a certain category to be considered as beautiful. As a result, they get procedures done to their bodies or faces. Of course, I believe that everyone is allowed to do whatever they want with their body, but I also believe that this industry is one that does not care about the well-being of people. Surgeons will accept anyone for procedures because it makes them money. The harsh truth is that addiction to body modifications make their bank accounts bigger. They don’t care that it harms the people getting them.

I wish that there were therapists at every plastic surgeon’s office to help ensure that the person is 100 per cent certain are open about their body modifications instead of hiding the truth about them.

The only body modifications I have are piercings. I’d like to get a smiley piercing someday, but I am absolutely terrified of the pain and the healing process. I personally love nose piercings, although I do not have one. I especially love the look of double nose piercings, it looks regal. I only have two piercings on each ear and got them when I was a baby. In my culture, people get their piercings as babies instead

of when they are grown up. I have not necessarily experimented with any other body modifications because I personally don’t feel the need to do something that is permanent. I change my mind almost a hundred times a day and I will like something, then hate it the next day. I dyed my hair blonde and was meaning to keep it like that, but I decided to change it to black with deep red highlights on a random Thursday just because I felt like it. Therefore, I think I wouldn’t be the best person to get certain body modifications done because I’d regret

“At the end of the day, body modifications are a form of self-expression.

– Amina Salah

about getting a procedure done. There are people walking around with body dysmorphia, and as much as I hate to state this, surgeons don’t really care because it is this category that makes them money.

I am personally against body modifications that have high mortality rates or that will mentally harm the person getting them. What boggles my mind is when people are not forthcoming about the work that they have had done, and then indirectly influence other impressionable young people. It is extremely shady. I respect people who them sooner rather than later.

I do, however, respect people’s autonomy to do whatever they want with their body. A lot of things were new to me initially and took some time to understand, as many things are out of my comfort zone and worldview, and I have my own experiences that are different from the those who were born and raised in the West. Some things are different to me. However, it is important to note that sometimes different is not necessarily bad, it’s just different. It’s something that should be understood and even if that is not possible, respected.

I have heard stories of people hiding or covering their tattoos and removing piercings for employment purposes. I think it is sad that people must conform to what is considered “acceptable” by the public. They must make themselves smaller and hide every trace of who they are. It is unfair that people have a certain view and belief of people with tattoos and piercings and thus treat them with a lack of respect. People deserve to be treated with dignity regardless of their appearance or body modifications. At the end of the day, body modifications are a form of self-expression. People should be allowed to express themselves whichever way they want. Body modifications give people a sense of self, making them important to some people. It is absolutely nobody’s right to dictate what someone can or cannot do with their bodies or faces.

amina salah staff writer

Tamara Gore via Unsplash My body is a temple, so I decorated.