It is time for Whistler Blackcomb to close to travellers.
By remaining open we continue to condone “gatherings and non-essential travel” and facilitate the spreading of the virus throughout the rest of B.C. and Canada. Our world-class resort creates an irresistible draw. But it draws crowds, folks mingle, folks forget rules. They tell their friends it is all OK. Our current rates speak for themselves and may not even come close to representing the true prevalence in Whistler.
Understandably the younger crowd is not showing up to be tested unless forced by their employers to do so. If they test positive, it screws up all of their mates who will get “pinged.” That means no work, or skiing for all of them. I would have probably done the same thing if I were in my 20s. This is not being critical of them, just a reality, but [it] leads to underreporting.
The writing is on the wall from the rest of the world. By mid March we will be in the grips of a new, more-transmissible and deadlier variant of coronavirus (cmmid.github.io/topics/covid19/uk-novel-variant.html). We cannot be naïve about this. Think back to January 2020 when the belief was that the original COVID-19 would not proliferate in Canada. Britain saw its expediential growth with the new variant under the strictest lockdown measures (coronavirus.data.gov.uk). We have had our lesson. We can be proactive, rather than reactive this time around.
The cheapest and most effective Public Health Measure as proven around the world is to limit crowds (www.who.int/publications/i/item/covid-19-strategy-update---14-april-2020). Why should we be exempt from this?
I love to be on snow as much as anyone. That is one of the main reasons we all live here. We have already enjoyed what the rest of the world envies: an open world-class resort. But we now need to be accepting and socially responsible. Eliminate the temptation to have crowds gathering. Not only from our province, but the rest of Canada.
We cannot sit back and wait for the rollout of vaccines to contain this and mitigate the inevitable morbidity and mortality that results. We can expect a slowdown in roll out of vaccines as companies adjust their production to specifically target the new variants. There will be more variants coming. Already the companies are talking of new booster shots for the variants (www.bbc.com/news/uk-55976037).
Exceptionally stringent regulations for COVID-19 control have been undertaken on our mountains. Our mayor had been clear and consistent: “stay home.” He is recognized within our province as a shining light. This situation has not arisen from a lack of planning and vision on behalf of the community of Whistler.
But, the virus and virus variants are stronger and more deadly than all of our efforts. It is time to be proactive and stop being a community that spreads transmission of the coronavirus.
Every Sunday night we all witness the constant flow of traffic, heading south to Vancouver, carrying Whistler’s COVID-19 with it. Slowly but surely we spread infection to the rest of the province and Canada.
The sooner we get through this, the faster we can see a return to social integration.
It is time for Whistler to do the responsible thing. It is time for us to rescind our welcome to those wanting to ski our slopes. If we become known to the world as enablers of the spread of this pandemic, our reputation will be forever tarnished. Most importantly we will be responsible for needless illness and the death of Canadians.
Paul Wright, MD // Whistler
Time to close resort down to visitors
With more COVID-19 cases than Vancouver, Whistler is now at a crossroads.
It is time for Whistler, and the B.C. government to take the responsible course.
The harsh reality is that out of necessity many of our local workers live and work in an environment that is conducive to the spread of COVID-19.
The present policy of open tourism to Whistler to “preserve the ski industry” will lead to two scenarios both ending with the same devastating outcome:
1. We (Whistler) are a major source of infection to the rest of B.C. and Canada. [Result]:Public opinion and provincial premiers will pressure B.C. to close Whistler down.
2. British and South African highly contagious variants get here sooner than vaccines crippling the work force. [Result]: Whistler is shut down since not enough staff and/or Medical Officers of Health dictate a full shut down.
Or… we stop tourism to Whistler limiting the spread into and out of Whistler.
We will have a better chance of keeping the mountain open, staff employed, helping our local businesses stay open and our population safer.
Neither option is ideal but at least we have a fighting chance by stopping tourism.
Charles Monk, MD // Whistler
Work to keep us safe appreciated
Today I was at the 7th Heaven chair when a ski patroller asked a 50-plus-year-old snowboarder to put on his mask. The boarder responded with, “I can’t fu...king hear you.”
The patroller had the lift stopped and requested the boarder to put on his mask and said that he was here to ensure everyone’s safety. In addition [he added] that ski areas were being scrutinized for following [COVID-19] guidelines.
After a brief argument between the two, whilst the ski patroller acted calmly and professionally, the entire lift line began to cheer and show support for the ski patroller.
Most of us are trying to do our best. We appreciate all the work Vail Resorts’ employees and the municipality is doing to keep Whistler Blackcomb open.
Lloyd Hedemann // Whistler
Young adults—have your say!
Communities That Care Whistler (CTCW) is currently undertaking an updated Young Adult Survey for Whistler Residents aged 18 to 30. This age group encompasses the backbone of our workforce and our future community leadership. We have not sought their feedback since 2016 and in these pandemic times it is imperative to understand the effects of isolation, the disease itself as well as the issues that existed before and during COVID-19.
We are asking some very personal questions and want to assure those thinking about taking the survey and those that already have—that their responses are completely confidential. It is important though, if possible, that the survey be answered in full and as accurately as possible.
Currently we are at 60 per cent female and 37 per cent male as respondents but we are are missing some key data from more than 100 responses about which sex they identify as—this is just one missing piece of the puzzle, there are others.
The data will be used to identify issues that are important to Whistlerites and areas that they feel require more support. CTCW has a history of advocacy and programming that will be used to address these important community issues. We would like to acknowledge the support of the CTCW board members who are public service stakeholders.
We would like to thank Whistler Community Services Society for sponsoring the survey—and acknowledge the care they provide to the community as a whole. Its capacity has been tested during the pandemic and it strives to meet the demand and answer the needs of the community. WCSS demonstrates, we are in this together!
We are offering daily prizes and decided that we would not ask for donations from businesses, nevertheless some businesses have given—TNT Barber, Coastal Culture, Vallea Lumina, XC Connection/RMOW and Epic Promise. This has allowed us to increase our Grand Prize to a $500 Whistler Blackcomb Gift Certificate.
So please fill out the survey all the way—it is for your benefit, not the Boomers! Boomers—please tell the 20-somethings in your lives about the survey.
Check out our ad in this week’s Pique for a QR code or go to www.surveymonkey.com/r/whistler-young-adult
We will release a report on the survey to the community in about two to three months.
Cathy Jewett // Chair, Communities That Care Whistler
School District needs a math lesson
School District 48 is in the process of adopting an operational policy that prohibits schools from offering “streamed courses,” which they believe limits a student’s post-secondary opportunities (ie: going to university).
Currently for students entering Grade 10 there are two ministry-designed and approved-course options for students: Workplace Math 10 and Foundations & Pre-Calculus Mathematics 10. When these courses were first implemented, they were offered as different pathways and deliberately not referred to as streams.
Adopting this operational policy would remove the option for students to select Workplace Math 10 and require all students to take the Foundations and Pre-Calculus pathway.
As a math teacher I see many students who have been traumatized to some degree by mathematics. I see parents, adults and even some teachers who have had a negative experience with mathematics and are quick to respond with: “I hate math” or “I never got math” or “I don’t have a math brain.”
My job involves sharing with students the value of being numerate and breaking down their negative experiences and societal stigmas towards mathematics. The Workplace Math 10 course is intended to provide exposure to real-world math applications. The two available options are different enough in content to warrant taking multiple math courses and they are designed intentionally to provide skills to students entering the workforce, pursuing trades, or entering college programs after high school.
These workplace classes traditionally have a higher percentage of at-risk students because it serves the need to provide a supportive environment while breaking down math anxiety and stigma.
If the intent of the decision to remove Workplace 10 is to improve student success, to be inclusive of all learning abilities and to provide viable post-secondary options, then I believe that those making the decision may be confused as to what this course offers our most vulnerable students.
Simply showing up in class is an accomplishment for some. The workplace classes are a safe place for students to overcome the stigma of not only mathematics, but also education.
Workplace Math is essential in building confidence and providing some opportunity of success. I fear that if we take this option away from our children who already identify mathematics as a source of anxiety and despair then they will be the ones who suffer the most.
I am concerned that this decision is being made without any meaningful consultation. It would seem advantageous to have mathematics educators involved in conversations regarding mathematics education in the district.
With purposeful communication, we could design a solution that could address the needs of our students and would not involve eliminating a valuable course.
If you share the concern about the removal of options for our children without proper consultation, I encourage you to write or speak to your school trustees: Rick Price: rprice@sd48.bc.ca, Ian Kent: ikent@sd48.bc.ca, Rebecca Barley: rbarley@sd48.bc.ca, Celeste Bickford: cbickford@sd48.bc.ca, Rachel Lythe: rlythe@sd48.bc.ca, David Walden: dwalden@sd48.bc.ca and Cynthia Higgins: chiggins@sd48.bc.ca
David Gregr // Math Teacher, Howe Sound Secondary
Nita Lake needs your help
I am writing to bring much-needed attention to the rezoning application and proposed new development on the west side of Nita Lake.
As I walked the Valley Trail along Nita Lake with my young children, I truly could see the impact this development will have and I worry about not my own enjoyment of Whistler but what kind of Whistler we will leave for future generations if the overdevelopment of our lakes continues. The public hearing about this development is scheduled for Feb. 23 and it is now or never that we make our voices heard to protect this beautiful part of our community.
Whistler exists and thrives because of our mountains and our lakes. This natural beauty is why people choose to live in Whistler and why tourists flock to visit. It’s part of what makes Whistler special as an international resort destination.
Our chain of lakes is the gem of our town, and it is in the best interest of everyone, both residents and businesses, that their splendour and attraction are spared from overdevelopment.
My fear is that the proposed rezoning, which represents a substantial increase in density over existing development rights, is just too much for this small, precious lake.
I am not against the appropriate development of this land, but I am concerned that a full five acres of property near the lake will be clear cut. Council should extract binding assurances now to preserve the trees and protect the forested appearance of the lakeshore. In addition, concerns raised by the independent environmental report have not yet been fully resolved.
Building a better and more-thoughtful proposal would be a big win for everyone: the council, the neighbourhood, the community and even the developer. With the current proposal before council the cost to Whistler and the irreversible damage to Nita Lake are both too high. As a community, we can do better. We can make this development be better.
A lot of my concerns are expressed at www.nitalake.ca. I encourage my fellow residents to write to the mayor and council, or plan to speak at the public hearing [on Feb. 23] to help protect Nita Lake.
If Whistler gets this wrong, there is no going back.
Jennifer Follows // Whistler
