October 26, 2021 Message to the Membership

As if we didn’t have enough uncertainty over what COVID-19 rules apply when, where and how, Saskatoon City Council has voted to establish a bylaw where restrictions on gathering sizes are going to be enforced. As of the writing of this article, we’re not sure of the details of such bylaw, except to be given the forewarning that things will be evolving quickly.

I guess this is coming on the heels of the Eric Church concert last Saturday at SaskTel Centre, where 13,000 of us (yes, us) were in attendance, making it the largest indoor gathering Saskatchewan has had since the beginning of the pandemic.

I for one didn’t feel the least bit uncomfortable. That’s largely because, contrary to many news reports that it was a complete spit show, the vast majority of people were masked at most if not all times (including yours truly), and proof of double vaccination or a negative COVID test were required for entry. Not only was the masking especially plentiful (nearly unanimous) on the concourse, I was pleasantly surprised to see it being equally as unanimous in the men’s washroom. I don’t know if you’ve ever spent time in the men’s washroom at a sold-out or near-sold-old concert, but it’s not the place for higher learning, educated dialogue or social etiquette.

Quite the opposite, as the sporadic drunken loons (there’s always one) are yelling above the fray about how bad they have to go, and to hurry up, are far more commonplace than say a debate on benefits of eliminating aerosol cans for the betterment of the ozone layer, for example.

But back to the City’s bylaw. I know it’s coming on the advice of local medical health officials, and I also know the City feels that they need to do something, given that the restrictions put forward by the province, which, granted have been minimal, are seen by many to not be doing enough to stop the rise in COVID cases (and there’s good argument to that).

The counter to that, however, is that this bylaw, no matter how it shakes out, will be difficult to enforce. It’s not as if unvaccinated have purple eyes, orange teeth, wear uniforms, or have other distinguishing characteristics making them easy to spot at a glance.

It’s anticipated it will be complaint-driven, so either bylaw enforcement officers, police officers or the newly created provincial COVID enforcement officers, will have to respond to complaints generated by the public. So it will also pit neighbour against neighbour, friend against friend or family against family. Snitches get stitches as some say. Doesn’t sound like it’s a recipe for success in my humble opinion.

But something must change (and no, I’m not advocating for, nor condoning this bylaw) because based on my anecdotal observations, the erosion of consumer confidence is quite likely at an all-time high, I would say. My wife and I went to a movie last week, a new one, a box office hit, and there was one other person in the theatre with us. ONE OTHER PERSON!

I’m also told that you could practically shoot a cannon through shopping malls these days and not hit a soul. Many restaurants and bars are not anywhere near busy enough to keep all their staff on board. Will restrictions help with this? I don’t necessarily think so.

But the reality is now that the wage and rent subsidy programs are over, there’s little life support left out there (unless you happen to fall within the hospitality sector, which is still receiving decent support via a different program). So that means that in order for people to remain employed, and thus to have a shot at a good and productive life, you need to do your part and support these establishments.

We’re talking about your personal care services, such as hair salons and massage clinics. We’re talking about bowling alleys and movie theatres. We’re talking about retail stores and mom and pop shops. You name it, chances are it needs your support.

Let’s hope that these observations are soon turned completely on their head. And chances are they will. Christmas is coming, after all, which will help drive some consumer activity. Let’s hope that confidence will come alongside with it. Because we could sure use it.

Until next time, be safe, be smart, be considerate, be well but most of all, be kind.

Keith Moen,

Executive Director?