I love most members of my family, but the folks from Alberta are really trying my patience.
They’ve gone from heated anti-Justin Trudeau jokes to downright dangerous behaviour that is now hitting too close to home.
A contingent of family from Alberta is visiting Burnaby this week and I wish they would just pack up and go home. It’s because they don’t take COVID-19 seriously, saying – among other misinformed things – that “face masks are a joke” and “let’s just hug it out.”
They arrived earlier in the week unannounced, saying they wanted to “get together for an impromptu family reunion.”
Yes, a family reunion. In the middle of a pandemic.
I said not only would I not get together for a party, but I would not be seeing them at all due to them not being in my bubble and them not practising any of the things that public health officials have been telling us for the past few months.
I was mocked for this stance, but I am undeterred.
Sadly, you just can’t make this stuff up. I’ve heard from other friends who have family who don’t take COVID-19 seriously. I guess it’s going to take someone getting sick and dying before they do.
This all come while B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth announced tougher measures for people not following the rules.
The focus will be contraventions of the provincial health officer’s order on gatherings and events: hosting a private party or public event with more than 50 people present, failing to provide appropriate hand sanitation and washroom facilities, failing to provide sufficient space in the venue for physical distancing, failing to obtain a list of names and contacts at large event, or having more than five guests gathered in a vacation accommodation.
The changes come amid an increase in new cases of COVID-19 cases, the majority among young adults, and reports of large gatherings in contravention of the provincial health officer’s orders.
The majority of British Columbians are following guidelines and orders, said Farnworth, saying one of the biggest problems is house parties.
He blamed a “small minority of selfish, individuals across the province, who are disregarding the public health measures in place, provincial and regional health officers.”
Individuals like my family.
- With files from the Victoria Times Colonist.
Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.
