Do you know anyone who keeps saying “the health orders are so confusing”?
Me too — but I’ve come to realize something: often, this is used as a crutch to bypass restrictions.
Here we go, let’s add another new category to our COVID-19 list: the Loopholer.
They join covid cops, covidiots, “new test positives,” survivors, long-haulers, frontliners, vaccine demanders, anti-vaxxers, and anti-maskers.
Of all categories it’s Loopholers who currently contribute the most to our surge.
We all know at least one. The “I-want-what-I-want-when-I-want it” set who preach as though they are following public health directives and mandates to the letter – and yet a quick glance at their social media shows otherwise. Examples of gatherings, non-essential outings and travel: the things fuelling much of this deadly second wave.
Loopholers love to explain their reasons as they host in-home gatherings, weddings, gender reveal parties (are you kidding?) and more. But the thing is we’re clearly told to stay away from all others. ALL others. No one is allowed in your house, yard, car, or cabin. Friendships and family relations have and will be lost over this.
With some, it’s not that they don’t understand, but don’t want to understand. It’s easier to remain blissfully ignorant.
The problem is social mixing is causing incredible strain. But still Loopholers are planning gatherings and holiday dinners. Still planning for Christmas while tuning out story after story of tiny family gatherings resulting in sickness running rampant.
Often Loopholers say they tune into briefings — but it seems to me this mostly serves as cover for whataboutism, throwing up their hands over “confused messaging.”
Loopholers might actually be decked out in Dr. Bonnie Henry merch, literally wearing the t-shirt, as they pack up the car for a few days of non-essential travel. Meanwhile, Dr. Henry is exhaustively pleading with us all to stay home. Loopholers seem to simply not process this.
When she talks about needing all of us to be vigilant, she’s kindly and calmly, calling out the slice of society who see only asterisks.
BC is enduring a second, deadlier wave of COVID-19. What’s needed is the Loopholers (and everyone else) to get their respective acts together and lock it down.
If you know a Loopholer, please pass along this column. Ask them for their thoughts.
When deaths are spiking to daily double digits and hospitals begin to fill, the Middle this week is making time for a serious heart-to-heart so that everyone understands this simple reality:
Everything is cancelled.
Everything.
All of it.
Yes, because there are punishments. But fines aside, do you really want to continue to Loophole Gather, knowing it could result in the death of an innocent, maybe even a loved one?
Virtual everything is still on and encouraged. Get out for a walk, run, ride, with ONLY those in your household or bubble, if applicable. Do not travel for leisure. Zero loopholes: stay home when you can, mask up when you go out for essentials, work, or school. Wash hands, a lot. Stay home if at all unwell.
Potential vaccines are a beacon of light on the horizon. Let’s get there with as few tragedies as possible.
Jody Vance is a born and raised Vancouverite who’s spent 30 years in both local and national media. The first woman in the history of Canadian TV to host her own sports show in primetime, since 2011 she’s been working in both TV and radio covering news and current affairs.
SWIM ON:
- Last week, Jody Vance reached deep into her radio promotion past for an idea to get people re-engaged with public health orders.
- Now that it's officially upon us, it's worth revisiting Roslyn Kunin's advice for getting through a pandemic winter.
- Back in April, #BCPOLI Hotstove looked at snapshots from how BC grappled with lockdowns and the pandemic,
