My email inbox has been a real tragic situation throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
I normally like emails from readers, but COVID-19 conspiracy theorists have made this an ugly experience with threats and insults that would make most people blush.
But I can take it.
What I can’t abide is someone yelling threats when I am out in public just because these covidiots don’t like to follow simply rules.
I say this after a disturbing encounter earlier in the week when I dropped by Metropolis at Metrotown shopping mall to pick up something for the office Christmas party (the party ended up being cancelled as cases surged throughout the week – which is fine with me because this Omicron is scary stuff).
After my purchase, I was heading towards the exit to go find my car when I saw a dude coming towards me who wasn’t wearing a mask. I figured he must’ve just forgotten to put one on so I pulled a fresh one out of my pocket and offer it to him.
“F*** off,” the guy said at my exceedingly polite offer.
I said that it was a rule to have to wear one and the guy just stared at me with white-hot fury so I nodded and went on my way.
After leaving the mall and into the underground parking lot, I suddenly hear a voice yelling from behind me.
“I won’t wear a diaper on my face,” the guy yelled.
I was startled at first and then I squared up and took a defensive stance, determined to not look rattled. The guy stopped, turned around and headed back into the mall.
Incredible. This is how tightly wound some people are about COVID-19 restrictions that are necessary to prevent the spread of this dangerous virus.
This dude and others will be even angrier at all New Year's Eve parties and events were cancelled in the wake of surging cases of the newly identified Omicron variant across Canada.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry told reporters in a press briefing on Friday (Dec. 17) that all parties and events will be cancelled on the big night but restaurants may serve dinner.
"All New Year's Eve parties will be suspended, no matter their size," she said. "Restaurants can have new year's meals but we also have some amendments to the food and liquor premises order that will come in to place on Monday."
Restaurants may continue to operate at full capacity but guests must remain at their table and they must wear face masks when not seated.
"So this goes back to the last few waves of this virus of this pandemic, where you go with your group of people to the restaurant, you stay at the table together," she explained. "There's no mingling and standing and mixing of tables and this will apply for New Year's Eve as well."
Restaurants can have a special New Year's Eve dinner and B.C. will not put any restrictions in place on serving alcohol or hours of operation. However, guests cannot mix between tables or dance.
Effective Dec. 19 at midnight, Henry said all indoor gatherings will be limited to one household plus 10 other individuals or one other household. Everyone who attends a gathering must be vaccinated; no unvaccinated people may attend parties or social gatherings.
Personally, Henry didn’t go far enough. Omicron is ugly stuff and we need tougher restrictions – not that dudes like the one from the mall will listen to them anyways.
- With files from Elana Shepert, Glacier Media
Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.
