Council Closes Beach until 7 June

A special Council meeting was called today to decide what to do about people staying on Victoria Beach during the Stay at Home Order.  The  Emergency Control Group (ECG) recommended that it be closed until Council makes a final decision on the status of the Beach at the Monday June 7, 2021 Regular Council Meeting. This plan of action was not specifically directed by the HKPR Health Unit but they did support the ECG decision.  Council discussed the issue at length with questions about signage, enforceability and more. Police Chief Paul Vandgraaf said that today there were 100 people on the beach and many were “congregating” contrary to the rules of the “Stay at Home Order”.  The Chief estimated that this number would increase to 500 on the coming weekends.

Although the Chief said it would be possible to enforce without a fence, he said that it would be untenable.  He said that a fence and signs declaring the beach was closed would mean tickets for trespassing would be possible as well as $800+ tickets for those congregating in larger groups.

Councillors Emily Chorley, Nicole Beatty and Aaron Burchat supported an amendment to close the beach only on weekends and public Holidays up until June 7 with the idea that people would be instructed on weekdays that they could only “walk though”.  However, their amendment was defeated 4-3.

So at the end of a 90 minute meeting, Council passed the following motion (4-3):

THAT Council receive the Staff Report for information purposes; and

FURTHER THAT Council provide direction to Staff on interim measures at Victoria Park Beach during the current extended Stay-at-Home Order as recommended by the Town of Cobourg Emergency Control Group in collaboration with the Halliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR DHU).

The Emergency Control Group is recommending to temporarily close the beach until the end of the Provincial Stay-at-Home Order and until Council makes a final decision on the status of the Beach at the Monday June 7, 2021 Regular Council Meeting.

I would expect a fence will be up well before the weekend. Hopefully appropriate signs will be up quickly as well.

At the May 31 Committee of the Whole meeting, Council will hear recommendations of what to do and make a motion to enact the recommendations or a variation of them.  This motion will then be ratified at a regular Council meeting on June 7. Stay tuned.

Link

Addendum – 21 May 2021

New Provincial Guidelines issued after the above meeting was held now seem to recommend some degree of controlled opening of the beach. Staff have created some options for Council to consider and a special emergency Council meeting has been called for May 26 to choose one or a variation.
Stay tuned.

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Informed
2 years ago

I guess alot of people dont understand what a stay at home order means. Just got back from beach area parking lot at harbour. Chalked full of cars and people wondering why the beach was closed. Not a parking spot left in the one area.

Pete M
Reply to  Informed
2 years ago

Says the person who was out of their home checking the beach scene too…but again the rule applies to all others but the informed.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Pete M
2 years ago

And Informed also interviewed several of the occupants in cars; otherwise how would Informed know that they were dumbfounded about the beach being closed.

Informed
Reply to  Wally Keeler
2 years ago

Sitting on a cooler while a family member read the posting. Another commen( 🙂) sense moment.No need for interviews.

Pete M
Reply to  Informed
2 years ago

How do you know they were from out of town? Maybe they were from Cobourg, Pt Hope or Grafton and maybe not as informed on the beach closing as you. Maybe they misunderstood the mix messaging between the Municipal and Provincial Governments.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Pete M
2 years ago

Whatever the case, Informed is ill-informed and spreading misinformation.

Pete M
Reply to  Wally Keeler
2 years ago

Curious as to how by looking at person sitting on cooler and reading posted information says you’re not from Cobourg?

I’ll have to remember next time i go to a park in Cobourg or the beach, not to take a cooler or stop to read any posted info, for fear of being labelled not from here.

Informed
Reply to  Wally Keeler
2 years ago

The only misinformation is the spin you put on my comments and otheres to make them look worse that the intent or what was actually said. You are the first one to complain when someone does that to you.

Bill Thompson
Reply to  Pete M
2 years ago

A general observation but looking at license plate Dealer frames may also possibly aid in identifying where the people are from.
Yesterday three cars parked in front of my house with Oshawa, Kingston and Markham Dealer frames and non English speaking.

Informed
Reply to  Bill Thompson
2 years ago

Thankyou for explaining what i thought was common sense.No detective work needed

Frenchy
Reply to  Bill Thompson
2 years ago

I bought my Hyundai Tuscon in Bowmanville and have the Clarington plate frame. Am I OK?

Bill Thompson
Reply to  Frenchy
2 years ago

Simple observation is not detective work
Visual appearances and foreign accents is a part of it as there aren’t many around Cobourg generally except in summer months.
Living close to the beach and witnessing it is simply just that . No need to read anything else into it.

SW Buyer
Reply to  Frenchy
2 years ago

Frenchy,
I guess you didn’t get the “buy local” memo
Not that I’m faulting you: price and availability being important considerations.

Last edited 2 years ago by SW Buyer
Frenchy
Reply to  SW Buyer
2 years ago

I’m pretty sure Lauria’s don’t tell out-of-towners to go and buy their cars back home when they come to shop.

Conor
Reply to  Bill Thompson
2 years ago

The cars were not speaking English?

Informed
Reply to  Pete M
2 years ago

Give me a break. Btw. I knew they were from out of Town.

Bryan
Reply to  Pete M
2 years ago

Pete M,
Who is to say that Informed was not out for a walk by the marina. Please don’t make judgements and accusations based on assumptions.

Informed
Reply to  Bryan
2 years ago

Bingo

Informed
Reply to  Pete M
2 years ago

I didnt pack a cooler and travel to a other communities beach

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Informed
2 years ago

Oh, how noble and righteous you are!.

Bill Thompson
Reply to  Informed
2 years ago

I was bike riding yesterday and rode through the packed west harbour parking
with some people also in the water which was surprising.
Just a passing observation.

James Quelch
Reply to  Informed
2 years ago

Under the Stay-at-Home order citizens are allowed to use the beach (see legislation below as it reads), and exercise freely in recreational areas under Provincial legislation. It does not mean LITERALLY stay at home, unless you want to, which is your choice. Equally it is my choice to use the beach with my family, IF I follow public health measures. We have rights for exactly these types of municipal decisions that are based on thoughts and opinions of those in positions of power. This is why we have laws that decision makers must follow to protect the rights of their citizens.

We still have rights, and can go out to exercise with our kids, get groceries etc. while following public health measures. Science has come along way since the pandemic started, and outdoor activities in well ventilated areas, such as the beach, have been deem very low risk for Covid transmission.

Cobourg Council must follow the rules laid out by Ontario’s Covid legislation, which states Cobourg Victoria Beach should be open for exercise and recreation as of May 22ndThe “Stay at Home” order which is in effect until June 2nd, permits exercise and recreational activities on the beach 

Current Legislation
 
The Province announced the reopening of recreational amenities, such as Cobourg’s Victoria Beach on Saturday May 22, 2021 at 12:01 A.M.
In addition to the Reopening Ontario Act O.REG. 82/20 amendment, the Provincial Stay-at-Home Order that is in effect to June 2, 2021 has been changed to include the following:
 
Requirement to remain in residence:
 
1. (1) Every individual shall remain at the residence at which they are currently residing at all times unless leaving their residence is necessary for one or more of the following purposes:
 
16. Exercising, including,
 
1. walking or moving around outdoors using an assistive mobility device, or
 
2. using an outdoor recreational amenity that is permitted to be open
 

Let’s support the recommendations by our local health unit: “go out for essential reasons, including exercise and enjoy the nice weather, but do so safety. Maintain physical distancing and consider wearing a mask if you cannot stay two meters apart” (Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit, 2021).

Pete M
Reply to  James Quelch
2 years ago

Exactly James,

Nobody is saying do away with social distancing or mask.
We are just asking to use the beach for exercise and mental health.

The police and by-law can patrol to educate and ensure compliance with the regulations. They’ve done it in past years with a dedicated team of officers, who ensured compliance with the Liquor Licence Act and Town parks By-Law. Now add COVID regulations.

You can quote all the regulations.

But what it comes down to, is some of the residents of Cobourg don’t want people from other communities to use “their” beach.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Pete M
2 years ago

Exactly

Wally Keeler
2 years ago

A New Study Confirms That Reopening Texas ‘100 Percent’ Had No Discernible Impact on COVID-19 Cases or Deaths
A New Study Confirms That Reopening Texas ‘100 Percent’ Had No Discernible Impact on COVID-19 Cases or Deaths – Reason.com

Gary McCourt
2 years ago

Making a list. The triumvirate that was wishy washy on full closure, namely Emily Chorley, Nicole Beatty and Aaron Burchat should be remembered come next chance to turf the bums out. If they have the temerity to seek re-election.

Bryan
Reply to  Gary McCourt
2 years ago

Gary McCourt,

As noted below by Dylan, only 24% (survey) supported full closure. The three named members of council supported the majority with their vote. I suggest that you watch the council meeting. You will find that the three named councilors were anything but wishy washy in advocating their position for the majority.

Pete M
2 years ago

This just in from the Aylmer Express on the Port Stanley Beach

Port Stanley parking lots to re-openMay 20, 2021 | 1 Comment

Beach parking lots in Port Stanley, closed as part of the provincial COVID-19 shutdown, will re-open on Friday, May 21, Central Elgin announced on Thursday, May 20.
Washrooms and the municipal boat launch in Port Stanley will be opened as well, as well as other outdoor recreational facilities including soccer fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, ball diamonds and skateparks, the municipality stated.

So if Central Elgin can do this and they know there will be visitors coming from London, ON, why can’t Cobourg???

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Pete M
2 years ago

10,000 anti-lockdown protestors marched through the streets of Toronto (known hot spot) in an alleged super-spreader event last week. So far no uptick in cases — quite the opposite. The paranoia is driven by the old fogey demographic bloated with privilege.

Cobourg taxpayer
2 years ago

I support the beach closure. Even though there is a stay at home order there is no way to predict how many people would come to the beach for the long weekend. If observations already show “congregations “ of people on the beach then presumably this would continue. While outdoor transmission of Covid has not been confirmed beach goers appear to sit for hours on end and would need washrooms. I would not want to clean those. The Covid case count here is relatively low ( must be why it’s near impossible to get a vaccine here) let’s keep it that way.

Informed
Reply to  Cobourg taxpayer
2 years ago

Past practice indicates that washrooms are not a necessity for a few that have no problem dropping their drawers in the nearest shrub

Dylan
2 years ago

Survey says only 24% want full closure. I usually accept decisions made by councillors when my views are not aligned with the majority. Sadly some councillors don’t care what the public thinks. Let me know if I am missing something… Sincerely

Informed
Reply to  Dylan
2 years ago

Im so glad this province and Country isnt guided by the next survey or Facebook poll.

SW Buyer
Reply to  Informed
2 years ago

Informed:

You don’t think that Dougie is informed and guided by polls/surveys. He doesn’t make a move without them.

Dylan
Reply to  Informed
2 years ago

Compromise and respect of others opinions should be the foundation of a healthy community.

Pete M
2 years ago

And for those who compare Cobourg to Wasaga Beach. Please note the beaches of Wasaga are controlled by the Province and are a Provincial Park. And they are open with limited admittance and the need to follow all mask protocols and social distancing .

I ve attached link from Province dated 20 May stating what the protocols are for Provincial Parks

https://www.ontarioparks.com/covid1

Bryan
Reply to  Pete M
2 years ago

Pete M,

Wasaga may be a provincial park but it certainly doesn’t have controlled/limited access like other provincial parks. No fees either. Wasaga PP is very different from Sandbanks PP. It will be interesting to see how the Province and Wasaga manage/enforce the “protocols” this weekend

Pete M
2 years ago

So again for the forcible future we are closing the beach. The main reason being the fear of the “unclean” coming from outside Cobourg and spreading COVID. To listen to the comments on the blog, they are alright with people from Cobourg using Cobourg’s beach. I guess there is no one traveling from Cobourg to Durham and other parts of the GTA and hotspots and bringing COVID back to Cobourg.

And of course no one from the GTA/ hotspots is coming to the mall and other cobourg area venues. I guess Prince Owusu coming from Brampton was a one off.

But if we take a look at the science the CDC says the is less than a one per cent chance of contracting COVID outdoors and maybe even a 0.1 per cent chance. See link to article in NY Times from May 11 2021.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/11/briefing/outdoor-covid-transmission-cdc-number.html

Time for science to overtake xenophobia.

I ask all to take their minds back to 1941 and remember the internment of U.S. citizens of Japanese decent. We all agree that was wrong and many apologies have been made to those families.

Today there is a war on COVID but to tar all who come from outside of Cobourg as COVID carriers is just as wrong.

This is virus that will be with us forever, we need to learn to live with it …that means mask until more are vaccinated…and not to always be in fear if it. And definitely not a community seeking to close itself off from the rest of the Province.

Trust me folks you stand a better chance of catching COVID going to Walmart than the wide open beach

Constance Mealing
Reply to  Pete M
2 years ago

In Walmart people wear masks and social distance. So far as yet I have not seen a picture of this happening on a beach.

Pete M
Reply to  Pete M
2 years ago

Constance,

Did you read the NY Times article? Have you followed the CDC (Centre for Disease Controls) guidelines re outdoors and masking. The chance of contracting COVID outdoors is minimal. Sunlight and fresh air are the best disinfectant for COVID. Please share an instance of someone contracting COVID outdoors. I can share numerous instances where there has been spread from indoor activities and these are places with masking protocols. That being said, please keep the mask on and social distant like they are doing at Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, to give people that extra bit of comfort. If the Province can open Wasaga with proper protocols, surely to goodness we can do something here to get the beach partially open.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Pete M
2 years ago

Not only Wasaga Beach is open, but so is Port Stanley (read above) But many in Cobourg are bloated with bigotry and animus against the “hordes”. And this feeds into the paranoia of the elderly demographic. They resent young healthy bodies frolicking freely on the beach. .

JimT
Reply to  Wally Keeler
2 years ago

“the haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy”

beach lover
Reply to  Pete M
2 years ago

I couldn’t agree more. Joining a crowded line-up in Walmart among people wearing non-medical masks they’ve had hanging around their vehicle for who knows how many days poses a much higher risk than sitting on a beach outdoors. It seems people in Cobourg will do anything to keep the “unclean” Toronto “hordes” away even if it means shutting themselves off from their own beach for the foreseeable future as this virus and its ever-evolving variants are going to be around for awhile. I’m not sure why council and staff can’t come up with some sort of system. Lots of options have been proposed.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  beach lover
2 years ago

It seems people in Cobourg will do anything to keep the “unclean” Toronto “hordes” away even if it means shutting themselves off from their own beach for the foreseeable future”

It’s ludicrous. Merriam-Webster says a horde is “a people or tribe of nomadic life.” The non-residents coming to Cobourg are fellow tax-paying citizens, mostly comprised of families wanting their children to experience something once a year that is not an apartment building. They produce a crowd 9 days a year maximum. These day trippers are families, not gangstas. And covid has provided these whining bigots with the perfect excuse to lockdown the beach for everyone. Pathetic, feeble and useless.

Andrew Allan
2 years ago

Why not erect a fence for Northumberland residents and families only until the covid numbers come down overall.
Thus keeping our covid numbers down.
It is our beach to enjoy as we pay for the clean up of it.

Deborah
Reply to  Andrew Allan
2 years ago

Andrew l think your idea is one of the best l have heard yet. I live right beside the park and beach and l really don’t feel comfortable on the weekend to go down yet. I am a senior who loves Cobourg and the beach. An entrance for Cobourg residents and an ld check for others. Other places with beaches are implementing gates and fees. Until everyone is vaccinated we need to follow the rules or this will go on and on. Take care everyone.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Andrew Allan
2 years ago

Northumberland residents pay nothing to Cobourg to upkeep the beach.

jimq26
Reply to  Andrew Allan
2 years ago

The cleanup of the beach is done by the Marina staff, who are employed by the Marina, who are paid by the boat owner mooring fees. You don’t pay anything as a taxpayer, only as a customer of the Marina.

Bryan
Reply to  jimq26
2 years ago

jimq26,

That was likely that way it was several years ago, The Town has since become a bit more sophisticated and allocates wages/benefits to the appropriate department(s). Over the past few years or so there has been significant attention focused on the marina paying non-marina expenses.
I don’t know if it is marina or parks staff that do the beach work. If it is marina staff, then their costs would (should) be transferred from the marina to parks or harbour.
I have not found specific line items in the budget indicating these transfers.

I suggest asking DD Behan or CAO Vaughan.

Last edited 2 years ago by Bryan
Gerry
2 years ago

I will be the first to say I don’t understand the ins and outs of politics. The pandemic has been going on for over a year; why did Council wait until the last minute to address the beach issue for 2021? Would it not have been better to make a motion of what to do if the beach is closed or partially closed in 2021. Sounds to me Council wasn’t prepared.

Bryan
Reply to  Gerry
2 years ago

GC,
It is up to staff to bring issues and projects forward to Council.
Staff sets most of Council’s agenda.
It is certainly appropriate to ask why staff didn’t bring this issue and their recommendations to Council several weeks or a month ago when the provincial lockdown was announced.

Gerinator
Reply to  Bryan
2 years ago

Hey Bryan I respectfully disagree with laying the responsibility on Staff. Delegations also place issues and projects forward to Council. Council agonized (almost theatrically) over beach-closure decisions last year. GC is correct in that Council should have anticipated, based on Prov directions, what is to be done with the beach; giving the public time to assess and discuss/provide feedback. Ignoring the topic until the long weekend is just not responsible. I for one very much regret the beach’s closure BUT as we continue to see there are selfish and inconsiderate folks aplenty; and as the Chief says enforcement is “untenable”.

Informed
Reply to  Gerry
2 years ago

I think I mentioned that a few times in previous posts. No secret back in January that May has a long weekend.

Sandpiper
2 years ago

I can’t understand the need for a Special meeting when we already Know what the Provincial order calls for . How ever to continue with our healthy life in Cobourg it is essential to Keep those in Covid Hot spots from traveling here with No other purpose in mind other than to
Congregate at our peril . They know they are coming to a town with low Virus # s and they do not care about what they leave behind including garbage . Locals on the beach No issue s
Stay Safe

Anna
Reply to  Sandpiper
2 years ago

Then this is the root of this issue, isn’t it? What to do with out of town people coming to enjoy the beach mostly on weekends, right? an issue that has been under discussion regardless of the covid situation for a long time now without firm agreements on a course of action. Again, closing the beach to everyone is a horrible price to pay for this. And if people chose to sit and talk on the beach or elsewhere outdoors, why not? the flip side of this is immense loneliness, and overall increasing health risks due to lack of exercise and isolation. Let’s focus our energies in getting everyone fully vaccinated, instead of wasting resources on enforcing the little things we can enjoy that are really harmless – like connecting with others outdoors.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Sandpiper
2 years ago

Keep those in Covid Hot spots from traveling here”

What a ludicrous suggestion!

How will the “authorities” enforce anyone travelling to Cobourg? Check points on the 401? Check points on the outskirts of Cobourg? Blockade all vehicles from exiting a so-called hot spot? How much more will it cost taxpayers to enforce any of this ludicrous idea?

It is enough just to prevent access to the beach with a fence. Much much cheaper than keeping the dreaded ‘them’ from travelling here.

MCGA
Reply to  Wally Keeler
2 years ago

A year ago there was significant debate in our community about the need for and benefit of closing the Town beach. Assorted individuals opined that either the viral risk was not that great or that such a closure would lead to a dramatic rise in suicides or that such a closure was a violation of their personal rights and freedoms…all of which turned out to be demonstrably untrue. Prudence and good medical science won the day and there is little doubt the closure helped to protect Cobourg from the medical pain seen in places like Peel and Toronto. As I wrote back then, the community has the right to protect itself from infection. That protection includes constraining access to areas like the Beach. If Canadian Provinces have the right, and duty, to restrict access from other parts of Canada to protect their citizens from a highly contagious disease, than Cobourg certainly has the right, as well as duty, to close the Beach to the health risk presented by outsiders. Again, if you remove the principal incentives for visit, like the Beach, you are likely to minimize the opportunity for introduction of community spread infection. (Note: Only an estimated 35% of Cobourg’s population has received their first Covid vaccine, and less than 2% are fully vaccinated.)

Anna
Reply to  MCGA
2 years ago

“Prudence and good medical science” kept cobourg in the yellow and orange zones when higher infection areas remained grey and red. Numbers are demonstrably down all across the province and assuming that all or most of those that want to use the beach are covid infected is simply paranoid. We have an individual responsibility and ability to take care of ourselves, and those that are worried about getting sick, are free take appropriate measures. Prohibiting ALL of us is a lazy and expensive route to choose.
And poor mental health is not only measured by suicide numbers. There are reports and research about the effects of lockdown on population health, and anxiety, depression and actual suicides are recorded as sad facts.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Anna
2 years ago

10,000 citizens marched down Yonge Street last Saturday in an peaceful anti-lock down protest. This was called a super-spreader event. There were hundreds of anti-Israel protestors demonstrating the same day, displaying disrespect towards the police, chanting anti-Semitic slurs. This was called a social justice event.

If we are to believe the paranoid, there will be a surge of new infections, not just amongst the thousands of demonstrators, but their cross-infection of all the people along Yonge street who will take it home and infect their families. Hogwash. Watch the stats next week, to see if this so-called super spreader event had any impact by increased cases.

MCGA
Reply to  Anna
2 years ago

Anna, we have not conquered this disease and simply having numbers down is not a guarantee of community protection; the numbers have been down before, in each of the previous waves. Certainly, acts of personal responsibility are the first line of defense. But, I suspect that a component of the viral surges in other parts of the Province are related to many not taking personal responsibility. As to fencing the beach being lazy and expensive, as the Chief of Police pointed out, patrolling the beach 24/7 would be near impossible and the cost of a one day stay in the local ICU would be dramatically more expensive to society, not to mention the personal pain cost to the individual, than the few thousand dollars for fencing. Certainly the stresses of this disease cause heightened anxiety and, likely, levels of depression but we are a resilient specie. If you have published data on local suicides from the County Medical Examiner that supports the notion of a disproportionate increase in our area over the past 12 months, please reference it.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  MCGA
2 years ago

“It is too early to tell whether there have been or will be changes in suicide rates in Canada. We need to continue monitoring the situation, implement best practices in suicide prevention, and be careful about oversimplifying complicated circumstances”
COVID-19 and Suicide (mentalhealthcommission.ca)

“• Almost 1 in 5 report they are drinking more alcohol.10-12 • 14% of those between 18 and 34 have increased their consumption of cannabis.”

“Research on past pandemics and epidemics, natural disasters, and economic recessions provide important information on what we should be monitoring and the strategies governments and policy makers, communities, health-care professionals, and the media should be implementing to help prevent an increase in suicide rates”

MCGA
Reply to  Wally Keeler
2 years ago

We have been fully immersed in this problem since March 2020. We have seen multiple lockdowns in Canada and many parts of the rest of the world. After 14 months there has been no discernable rise in suicides in our area. People employ various strategies to relieve stress, drinking and recreational drugs amongst them. But, that does not necessarily correlate with moving to self harm. We are not in a war zone, we are somewhat constrained, we are not unduly confined. We have access to food, water, health systems, electronic communications and media, etc.; we are not deprived, we are limited. Academics will certainly study if, and to what extent, this limitation has permanently, adversely affected us; but, to date there is zero clear evidence.
I have been in a war zone where enormous pain and limitations existed. We employed many strategies to relieve the stress. Killing one’s self was not the preferred relief, particularly when the guys on the other side were trying to do that for us.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  MCGA
2 years ago

My father was also in a war zone. He took 15 years of enormous pain and suffering before offing himself — war dreams, in case you didn’t know. Stress doesn’t stop when you leave the battlefield. Sheesh!
=================
Public Health Information (CDC), National Centre for Biotechnology Information. May 2021
Self-harm and the COVID-19 pandemic: A study of factors contributing to self-harm during lockdown restrictions – PubMed (nih.gov)
COVID-related factors were identified as influences in nearly half of individuals presenting to hospitals following self-harm in the period following introduction of lockdown restrictions. Females were particularly affected. The fact that mental health problems, including issues with delivery of care, predominated has implications for organisation of services during such periods. The contribution of isolation, loneliness and sense of entrapment highlight the need for relatives, friends and neighbours to be encouraged to reach out to others, especially those living alone. The classification of COVID-related factors can be used as an aide-memoire for clinicians.

MCGA
Reply to  Wally Keeler
2 years ago

The vast majority of those who serve in a war zone do not “off” themselves. They adjust to the stresses both while in action and after. As a Navy medic during WWII, my father encountered horrors that included treating the survivors of the Bhutan Death March and the Burma RR. Resilience is the key and, unfortunately, we do not all come equally equipped.
As to the small UK study, the 107 patients identified BOTH Covid19 and the lockdown (which had been in place for over three months at that point) as stressors. There is no indication that any of those patients acted on their ideation. And, again, after over 14 months of this plaque there is no reported evidence by Canadian Public Health or our local Medical Examiners, of a rise in suicides.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  MCGA
2 years ago

The vast majority of those who serve in a war zone do not “off” themselves.

That’s right. So easy to be dismissive of those who do murder themselves. They are an insignificant minority compared to the vast vast majority.

They adjust to the stresses both while in action and after.

Exactly what my father did while in action. Serving his country, right. The plaque at the Cobourg Legion refers to him as (Daddy) because he took care of the drunken men that they had a blanket when they were passed out and useless to the defence of the nation.

As a Navy medic during WWII, my father encountered horrors that included treating the survivors of the Bhutan Death March and the Burma RR.

My father drove a supply truck over the dead bodies of Mussolini’s fascists while in Italy. He could feel the bump of the body up through the steering wheel, for the rest of his life, the rest of his life. There was zero empathy, lots of cavalier dismissiveness. Be a man. Etc.

Resilience is the key and, unfortunately, we do not all come equally equipped.

My father did not have enduring resilience, so survival of the fittest, my father was weak and no one cared. No one displayed any empathy whatsoever – he’s just a stat now. How unfortunate!

Your myopic focus on the singularity of suicide appears to interfere with your ability to see a larger picture under the category of “self harm”.  

Bill Thompson
Reply to  Wally Keeler
2 years ago

I think you mean Bataan Death March which has a cross on the mountain at Mariveles where the march began.
I was in that area of the Philippines years ago.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  MCGA
2 years ago

“BOTH Covid19 and the lockdown (which had been in place for over three months at that point) as stressors. There is no indication that any of those patients acted on their ideation.”

They did act on their ideation. The article refers to the 170 patients, male and female, “but there were no differences in age, methods of self-harm or suicide intent between the two groups.
 
The study related to self-harm and suicide intent. There had to be sufficient self-harm to warrant “presenting to hospitals in Oxford and Derby following self-harm.”
 
The study also refers to “nearly half of individuals presenting to hospitals following self-harm
 
Those are the indications that you deliberately diminished in your faulty ideation of this study.

Last edited 2 years ago by Wally Keeler
Wally Keeler
Reply to  MCGA
2 years ago

A dozen pediatric organizations including SickKids are urging the Ontario government to make reopening schools a priority, citing a “crisis in children’s mental health” as a result of COVID-19 pandemic closures. “The impact of school closures and the resulting social isolation on the health and well-being of children and youth has become impossible to ignore. Pediatric organizations urge Ontario to re-open schools citing “mental health crisis” | True North (tnc.news)

Wally Keeler
Reply to  MCGA
2 years ago

The proposal from Sandpiper was that we keep those individuals who happen to live in so-called hot spots be prevented from travelling to Cobourg. As you say, the community has the right to protect itself from infection. So you do you support Sandpiper’s suggestion?

MCGA
Reply to  Wally Keeler
2 years ago

As there is no way to ascertain where the beach visitor is arriving from (unless you employ the Innisfil Beach approach) than you need to employ the “better safe than sorry” formula of closure. At the point where we all have access to inexpensive rapid testing or negligible community viral spread we could and should refine our strategy.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  MCGA
2 years ago

And that strategy is?

MCGA
Reply to  Wally Keeler
2 years ago

Better safe than sorry. And to err on the side of safe.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  MCGA
2 years ago

Better to have a Howitzer to kill a fly, than to permit fellow humans to be free. That time has come. Freedom. Continuing the lockdown will only cause more mental health issues and certainly increased drug use especially the opioids and meths.
Reminds me of that old Vietnam war narrative about having to destroy the village in order to save it.

Last edited 2 years ago by Wally Keeler
Informed
Reply to  Wally Keeler
2 years ago

I think the fence will cover off about 90%

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Informed
2 years ago

Very unscientific calculation to arrive at such an unsubstantiated percentage. That’s not thinking; that’s imagining.

Informed
Reply to  Wally Keeler
2 years ago

Ill call it commen sense.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Informed
2 years ago

It’s commonly spelled, common. Sheesh, you don’t seem to know common spelling let alone knowing common sense.

Informed
Reply to  Wally Keeler
2 years ago

Your write🥴

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Informed
2 years ago

I am a write supremacist. I excercise my write privilege 24/7.

beach lover
Reply to  MCGA
2 years ago

There is lots of evidence that shows school aged children and youth are suffering due to the pandemic. Depression, anxiety, irritability and feelings of hopelessness are rampant. To close the beach to local children and families for another full summer is unwarranted as the health risk is extremely low.

Kyle
Reply to  beach lover
2 years ago

There is also lots of evidence that the India variant is on its way which is beginning to hit the UK and with a single vaccine dose you are not fully protected.

Bill Thompson
Reply to  beach lover
2 years ago

I wonder how school aged children and others cope with being indoors a lot more during winter time due to wintry conditions.
In summer the warmer temperatures don’t appear to be a problem
Being outdoors in fresh air ,plenty of room, walking, bike riding etc doesn’t appear to be crowded so why not try that healthy option?
No need to be “suffering”,as being in the water is only part of what’s available daily with being on a solidly packed beach presenting more of a danger risk to their well being.
I wonder how many commenting on this site utilize the beach themselves under those conditions.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Bill Thompson
2 years ago

I wonder how school aged children and others cope with being indoors a lot more during winter time due to wintry conditions.”

Perhaps parents could give their kids a supply of food colouring, some spray containers and tell them to go outside and colour their world. Simple and cheap.

Sandpiper
Reply to  Wally Keeler
2 years ago

Not much if not less cost to the local aaaany more than Keeping our dying people in our Hospitals
or shipping them out of this town to Hospitals that can deal with
heavy Covid cases
Safe or Sorry ???

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Sandpiper
2 years ago

Your binary choice of safe or sorry is so simplistic that it excludes all nuance in life. You are spreading unnecessary fear.

Conor
Reply to  Sandpiper
2 years ago

Maybe it’s people like you who are spreading the Covid virus. What makes you think they congregate? Perhaps they leave their money and not their garbage.

Kyle
Reply to  Conor
2 years ago

I call being stuffed in vehicles, including buses for over a hour driving or being driven here congregating.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Kyle
2 years ago

10,000 people congregating on Yonge Street to protest the lock down last Saturday, which the media and the paranoid called a super spreader event, will result in a significant and clear spike in cases. Well, we will see if such paranoia is warranted.

The people stuffed in vehicles come from Roseneath, Grafton, Wicklow, Colborne, Poet Hope, Gores Landing, Harwood, Bewdley, New Amherst, etc. There is likely more of them than GTA residents. And it takes much less than an hour to arrive. People who want to come to the beach are mostly families, moms, dads, kids, maybe a grandparent, all who live in their own bubble.

There is more bloated paranoia than sense going around these days.

Kyle
Reply to  Wally Keeler
2 years ago

There are no accurate statistics of actual infections occurring as a result of protests because those that do get infected do not cooperate with health authorities trying to do contact tracing.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Kyle
2 years ago

If so-called super spreader events were real, and not imaginary, the spike in increased infections would clearly show. and there is no accurate information that indicate that protestors do not co-operate with health authorities. Fairy tales. Like I said there is more bloated paranoia than sense. In addition to the 10,000 anti-lockdown protestors, on the same day in Toronto there were a thousand demonstrating their Jew-hatred.

KayB
2 years ago

Once again this council wastes precious resources (meetings, fencing, $$$) for last minute decisions. Being able to walk on the beach for exercise is something I look forward to, having worked in my basement office for more than a year. I believe the decision is once again aimed at ‘out of towners’ without consideration for Cobourg Tax Payers. Many people say that the ‘out of towners’ don’t go into town or anywhere else to spend money, so how are they spreading the virus to us? just a tong in cheek question. I have been against the actions of the protestors but this kind of action drives more people to be thinking that way. I hope that as my husband and I cannot enjoy a long weekend beach walk that any gatherings in Parks are stopped immediately. I appreciate the difficult situations facing our law enforcement but perhaps instead of the cost of a fence and Town of Cobourg maintenance wage rates we could look at hiring security guards to boost the enforcement. Please open the beach when the stay at home order is lifted.

Senior who walks regulalrly
Reply to  KayB
2 years ago

If you has listened to the debate and discussion amongst Council and staff last night, as I did, you would learn that during the week there have been upwards of 100 people sitting on the beach (i.e. not just walking through and obviously “locals”) which is in contravention of the Stay at Home orders. The concern is with not observing the current restrictions. You would also have learned that the Queen’s Park regs are changed frequently, often on a Thursday or Friday, not allowing sufficient time for staff to receive, read and digest what the regs say and then implement. Listening to the full discussion often illuminates and clarifies the thinking behind decisions. Council, staff and those charged with protecting our security are, IMHO, faced with incredible challenges during unique circumstances that none of us has experienced in or life times.. Kudos to them from me for doing the best they can.

KayB
Reply to  Senior who walks regulalrly
2 years ago

As I was not available last evening to listen to the meeting I read the report in full. Please don’t assume that because we have other commitments making it impossible to listen last night that we are not educated enough to read and follow through with informing ourselves of the information presented. I would never make a comment based on ignorance and pride myself in having a valued tax payers opinion. Those locals gathered on the beach this week will be the same locals gathering at parks and in back yards, a closed beach won’t stop them.

Bill Thompson
Reply to  KayB
2 years ago

In case you aren’t aware the fences are already being installed as we speak !
Well done Council ! 👍

Point of clarification
2 years ago

Hello, asked with earnest curiosity; how does the beach differ from a public park? I promise to read more on the minituae of the stay at home order, however, my every person understanding is that people may frequent parks. Is the beach treated as a separate entity under the order?

Thoughts? (or actual research?)

Ken Strauss
Reply to  Point of clarification
2 years ago

An important difference between parks and beaches is that GTA hordes are unlikely to drive to Cobourg to walk in our parks.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Ken Strauss
2 years ago

And then there all those individuals arriving from Colborne, Wicklow, Grafton, Baltimore, Roseneath, Poet Hope, Peterborough, Gores Landing, Bewdley, Harwood, Norwood and other beach-deprived communities immediately surrounding Cobourg. Semi-local hordes. And they DON”T PAY TAXES either. They occupy the beach daily, whereas the “GTA hordes” use it 9 days a year, three long weekends. These semi-local hordes also leave their garbage behind.

Got a problem with GTA hordes? Then convince Coubourg Council to implement a parking policy that charges more for outsiders on holiday weekends. And all those hordes have pockets full of mad money and Cobourg residents haven’t a clue how to extract that $$$$ from their pockets.

Ribfest is an event that takes place in the Park, not on the beach. All the hordes as well as Cobourg residents spend $$$$ on meat and booze at this event. Perhaps another event should be held in the Park portion to circulate $$$$.

All the whiners about beach outsiders should offer suggestions of how to extract as much $$$$ as possible from those outsiders.

JimT
Reply to  Wally Keeler
2 years ago

But Wally, I’ve been touting that line for years now: snack kiosks; food trucks; burger and fries at a counter or two (not a pokey little service window, either – part of the fun of the old Pav was watching and inhaling it all while waiting your turn.) And why can’t we have a mini rib fest in the park every weekend?

People on vacations will pay a fat premium for a tasty “food experience” prepared for them – meaning $$$ for the operator plus more for the town.

We are missing a huge opportunity in this town by not providing the getaway experience so many crave and are willing to pay good money for.

JimT
Reply to  JimT
2 years ago

And another thing: if you want to be in the hospitality business and rake in big tourist $$$ from visitors, don’t ever refer to your guests as “hordes” or “outsiders”.

Last edited 2 years ago by JimT
Kyle
Reply to  JimT
2 years ago

Yes, let the corporate franchises suck in the big tourist $$$$ and give the locals those wonderful minimum wage jobs. Oh yes, those minimum wagers get to pay the taxes to maintain the attraction.

Informed
Reply to  Wally Keeler
2 years ago

Ill take my chances with hordes of people from wicklow and Roseneath at our beach and parks before encouraging all the covid hotspot day trippers to come to Cobourg.

Wally Keeler
Reply to  Informed
2 years ago

If you are such a scaredy cat, stay away from the beach for the 9 days a year when there is a so-called horde. That’s what I will do. I take responsibility for myself. I’m not into coercing others to do this or that. That is for the shepherd state to do.

Informed
Reply to  Wally Keeler
2 years ago

Im not afraid to put my personal opinions aside. I would have no problem walking through a crowed beach with no mask. But its not about me ,you,or anyones elses opinions. Its about following the rules and regulations at any given time so we can all move on collectively from this pandemic and get back to whats we once knew as normal.

Bryan
Reply to  Point of clarification
2 years ago

Point of Clarification

The behavior and activities people engage in at a park are quite different from those at a beach. In a park, with a beach nearby, few people lie down on a towel/blanket and sunbathe, few kids dig in the grass/dirt and build “dirt castles” and few kids/people wade into nearby rain puddles to splash about and cool off

Anna
2 years ago

You got to be kidding! If people can’t enjoy the outdoors any longer, might as well lock us up. This is going too far, the zealousness by which a small liberty of walking on the beach is prohibited, for no reason. Chances of spreading a virus outdoors are less than one percent. What about the right to exercise? We have a beautiful beach to help us cope with the awful isolation of the past year +.. this is a cruel decision. Yet all over the province people congregate in large numbers for political violent protests, with zero enforcement. This is a terrible decision that must be overturned!

GEORGE TAYLOR
Reply to  Anna
2 years ago

why spend $2500.00 to erect a fence when the stay at home order could be recinded in 12 days?

Linda
Reply to  GEORGE TAYLOR
2 years ago

What is going to happen later today when the province announces staggered opening plans, perhaps to be in effect before the weekend? Outdoor activities such as golf courses, tennis, pickle ball, etc. Stay at home order is lifted for certain cases. Will the council reverse their decision and remove the fences for the weekend?

Gerinator
Reply to  Linda
2 years ago

Linda I sure as hell hope Council is not swayed by the latest version of the opening plans. Having the beach open defeats the ‘staggered opening’ strategy. Yes it is outdoor but continued hot spots will inevitably ‘flow’ our way because of their own situation, greener grass and all that.

Informed
Reply to  Gerinator
2 years ago

I agree. Sometimes tough unpopular decisions are still the right ones to make.

Informed
Reply to  GEORGE TAYLOR
2 years ago

Because of the Long Weekend.

Sandpiper
Reply to  Anna
2 years ago

As long as you are up wind of the other people you might be safe
other wise the 6 foot rule with the wind blowing towards you is
as they say Out the window it travels a lot farther

Anna
Reply to  Sandpiper
2 years ago

There is an individual choice to make here: 1. Stand up the wind 2. Stay home 3. Wear a mask to protect yourself 4. Keep your distance. This blanket prohibition and liberty restrictions treats citizens as if we were unable to take care of ourselves and make our own decisions. It is very heavy handed. Especially as the direction is to open up the province – for example , elective surgeries are now allowed.

Bill Thompson
Reply to  Sandpiper
2 years ago

How does one stay “upwind” of other people if it is cheek to jowl packed on the beach ? Answer ..don’t go the beach and let it be taken over by those from out of town.
That’s been the status for how many years now ,only this time there is the spread of a virus to contend with.
There are other places to walk /cycle etc.as we observe daily and Cobourg cases of the virus have been minimal due to common sense….so far.

JimT
Reply to  Bill Thompson
2 years ago

Everybody “stay upwind of everybody else” is bizarre nonsense and physically impossible, if you think about it.

Conor
Reply to  Bill Thompson
2 years ago

What kind of wind are we talking about? Flatulents? I suspect locals are just capable as those nasty ” out of towners “

Dunkirk
Reply to  Anna
2 years ago

As the saying goes–“When you are a Hammer–everything looks like a nail.” and that’s what we have with an organization called the ‘Emergency Control Group’….In their view, there is definitely an emergency that absolutely needs controlling.
With that said–why our Council would not wait until the Province issues their re-opening plan/schedule later today is hard to understand.

Gerinator
Reply to  Dunkirk
2 years ago

The answer to your question to me is obvious. The Prov will issue ‘cookie cutter’ solutions but it is up to each Munis to blend those solutions with their specific environment. As far as I’m concerned the Prov can dictate all it wants to, they aren’t left with the ramifications of those dictates, Munis are (and their citizens).

SB Gray
Reply to  Dunkirk
2 years ago

It was a complete set up, the signs where produced prior to the council meeting and the fence ordered days ago. I watched the meeting and there was no give on the outcome by staff. I believe the numbers quoted by staff as to how many people have been on the beach were considerably overstated for making a fictitious case.

Anna
Reply to  SB Gray
2 years ago

Makes sense. Most discussions, decisions and deals are done behind the scenes.

Informed
Reply to  Anna
2 years ago

Ever seen the Cobourg Beach on a typical long weekend? We are in a global pandemic. I can walk anywhere and dont feel I need a beach to enjoy the outdoors and sunshine. Park somewhere in Town,get out and go for a nice walk and explore some part of the Town that you typically dont see. Nice gardens,heritage homes etc.

Anna
Reply to  Informed
2 years ago

There are three long weekends in a summer. Is this a reason to shut down the beach for all of us all the time? The out of towners using the beach is an issue that existed before covid. Anyone should be able to choose where to walk, including many of us who feel the beach area is very special.
In the western world, this pandemic is mostly over. Our Premier announced today the opening of the province, yet, we can’t walk on the beach.
Regarding who pays to maintain the beach – don’t we visit other areas where local residents pay to maintain roads, parks, events etc? we are not an isolated entity but part of a larger community.

Informed
Reply to  Anna
2 years ago

Wants and needs are 2 different things. I want to use the beach but dont need to. The province is not open today,june 2 or even in the middle of June. The province likely wont be open until the end of summer. The province is slowly opening up specific sectors based on current modelling. Im sure beaches will be included sometime soon but i wouldn’t base the decision to open the beach just because Doug Ford says you can golf this saturday.Ps. i think eveyone should be able to walk on the beach. Problem is,everyone doesnt.