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Opinion: Charity reverses bad idea to knock on Burnaby doors during a pandemic

*This story has been updated* Today, the BC Cancer Foundation issued a statement saying it now won’t be canvassing Burnaby residents due to health concerns stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. I think this is a wise decision.
BC Cancer Foundation
These BC Cancer Foundation canvassers will be knocking on Burnaby doors. But should they? BC Cancer Foundation photo

*This story has been updated*

Today, the BC Cancer Foundation issued a statement saying it now won’t be canvassing Burnaby residents due to health concerns stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

I think this is a wise decision.

This is the full statement:

“BC Cancer Foundation issued a PSA to media on Tuesday March 10th alerting the public to upcoming door to door canvassing activity in their community,” says the statement. “As a result of the evolving COVID-19 outbreak, the BC Cancer Foundation is pausing our door-to-door canvassers until further notice. While the BC Public Health Office advises the risk of transmission remains low in British Columbia, as a foundation focused on changing the outcome for individuals facing cancer, the health and safety of our staff, the patients we work to support, and the general public is of the upmost importance.”

*Original blog

The BC Cancer Foundation sent me a press release letting the public know that door-to-door canvassers will be out and about in Burnaby.

The idea is to let people know these canvassers are real and not scammers.

But my thought is why, considering that COVID-19 has just been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, is a charity sending people out to knock on residents’ doors?

We’re seeing events being cancelled all around the world, including many conferences in which people are face-to-face with each other.

Is this really a good time to be sending people out in the community to come in relatively close contact with other people? It feels risky for both the canvassers and the people who have to answer the door.

After all, we’re now in a time in which government officials are urging people to limit their face-to-face contact with others. This is, unfortunately, the time we’re now living in.

If you do have one of these canvassers come to your door, and you’re OK with opening the door, remember that for security and safety purposes, canvassers wear ID badges and BC Cancer Foundation teal vests.
“BC Cancer Foundation canvassers will invite you to take part in the Foundation’s monthly giving program only and will not accept cash or one-time gifts at the door,” said the news release. “Once you have signed up for monthly gifts, you will receive an email confirmation immediately.”