Roger [Varley, ‘Am I Wrong?’], you do a splendid job of promoting the shops on upper Brock St., but do you not think to go east of Toronto St.?
All the businesses are open (except Mondo Hair Salon, for now) and all accessible from Main St. or Bascom St. There are two clothing shops, a bakery, a butcher, a small vegetable market, a shop for cell phones, audio, travel and a bit further east, a florist. Also a choice of eating places.
So come on, shoppers, support local business. All you need is right here in downtown Uxbridge.
Margery Cowley, Uxbridge
We all value a good time with family and friends. I am baffled, though, given the current times, how some of my neighbours had house parties this weekend which obviously included individuals who were not from the host household. It was also clear that the practice of social distancing wasn’t being adhered to in any way.
During these times of social isolation, the restrictions are there for a reason. Please, if not for your own protection, don’t mix and mingle in this way, potentially causing harm for others.
Thank you.
Mark Kinghan, Uxbridge
Re: ‘Am I Wrong?’, May 21 edition
Sadly Roger, you are not wrong.
I wish I could deny the facts laid out before me, but my mind has been questioning this process since the beginning of this pandemic.
There is little transparency from all forms of government and health officials regarding authentic facts on this virus and how ‘the plan’ unfolds and ‘goes forward.’
Mayor Dave Barton and pals treat the residents of Uxbridge like children when they hold back essential information because he, Mr. Barton, cannot trust us to act appropriately or responsibly. He has no right to do that.
This attitude seems to trickle down from the federal government and health authorities, right into the provinces and municipalities. It shows great weakness on their part. It reveals their fear.
‘We are all in this together’ falls on deaf ears when essential health and government restrictions are not announced or described in detail, and shared to a grown-up adult population with choices to make of their own.
I hear people are now referred to as ‘citizens’: therefore, the citizens of Uxbridge request the Township of Uxbridge keep the flow of information pellucid on every account. It is the basis of democracy, and the tie that binds a community.
Yes, knowledge is power, Roger, and Uxbridge deserves to be informed and respected as citizens living during this COVID-19 experience. Because when this passes, there will be judgements made in the hearts of the community on how their government and institutions treated the people of Uxbridge at a very vulnerable time.
Thank you frontline workers, before and always.
Theresa Pilniuk, Uxbridge
Living in Uxbridge is a pleasure for several reasons; one of those is being close enough to Toronto to be able to quickly get to major entertainment venues or the airport, yet being far enough away that the pace of life is slower, people are friendly and the air is fresh. Stress is a rare feeling here.
However, there is a growing feeling of stress among the people lately. The COVID-19 virus has us all wary, and many people monitor the Durham Region statistics to gauge how serious the situation is.
In general, life seems fairly normal and we can be excused for thinking that we are outside of the mainstream of the spread, but those who check the numbers are getting alarmed.
Uxbridge (Township) has the second highest infection rate in the region. The highest is Pickering with a cases per 100,000 of 461 [as of Mon., May 25]. Our rate is 254/ 100M, followed by Ajax at 253/ 100M. This contrasts with Scugog Township, which Uxbridge is basically equal to in most respects, and has a rate of 58/100M. The Canadian average is about 198/100M.
Why are our numbers so high? Is the population here that much sicker? Has the Regional Health Department made a bad error on the statistics? Whatever the case, many people in Uxbridge are stressed by the seeming seriousness of the situation here, and that is bad for our mental health.
I believe people can handle, and indeed deserve, a straightforward representation of any such situation without the smoke and mirrors that are supposedly protecting us. Please someone, give us peace.
David Jones, Uxbridge
Editor’s note: please see story at https://thecosmos.ca/index.php/community-news/township-news/ for a response to Mr. Jones’ inquiries
You have probably heard the Trinity United Church Bell being rung Saturdays at 6 p.m. This is in recognition of all the people in Canada who are working on our behalf to defeat this awful COVID-19 virus. We at Trinity ring the bell 21 times, similar to the 21 Gun Salute used by our military for special occasions. The Uxbridge Library Chimes also can be heard each Saturday evening at 6 p.m.
Bob Kirvan, Uxbridge