Thought of the Day - September 15 - Neighbourhood Whistle-blowers

An interesting dynamic is starting to develop as countries experience their second major wave of COVID cases. Rather than wholesale lock-downs countries are being more selective in restrictions. Instead, they are doing things by area (Quebec for example is the first province in Canada to start Red-Yellow-Orange-Green zones), are restricting specific business establishment practices (BC for example has closed nightclubs/banquet halls and restricted serving hours in restaurants), and are increasing regulation on physical distancing, mask use and the right to assemble. Many of these are now being enforced with fines and even criminal charges.

The enforcement of these restrictions is putting a new pressure on neighbourhoods. It is impossible for authorities to effectively patrol neighbourhoods looking for minor infractions, and yet it is just these events that can trigger case clusters. While BC has not given much publicity to this yet, in other countries public advertising campaigns encourage residents to report infractions to the non-emergency number. In Vancouver the reports can be submitted via the cities web site (https://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/report-a-provincial-health-order-violation.aspx), VanConnect App or 311 can be used. Burnaby just suggests you call their bylaw office.

Anyway, the real point of this message is I think in the near future we will see more encouragement of whistle-blowing as a tool to combat COVID. However, I believe we are ahead of the curve here, and would hope this neighbourhood-network provides a more effective mechanism. I, for one, know I push the envelope from time to time, but feel free to call me on anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.

Cheers

Cliff