St. Catharines MP gets a taunting mask in the mail from a teacher
Published March 21, 2022 at 3:54 pm
St. Catharines MP Chris Bittle received a facemask in his Ottawa mail today (March 21) with one word written on it in Sharpie – “Freedom.”
Being as today is the first day the Province dropped the facemask mandate, it’s not a great stretch to imagine it makes some people happy. While the facemasks certainly have been a divisive issue since COVID-19 protocols began in March 2020, the sender nonetheless came as a bit of a surprise.
Said Bittle, “Disappointed to receive this in the mail from a public school teacher I know in St Catharines.”
While Bittle didn’t harp on the situation, he did note, “Yes, today is the day that you don’t have to wear masks in most places. However, COVID isn’t over as much as we all want it to be. The current variant is one of the most contagious pathogens that humanity has ever seen. A mask is an easy way to help protect yourself and others.”
However, with a nod to the fact it was a teacher, he added, “I shudder to think if there’s an immunocompromised kid in this teacher’s class. Please be patient and thoughtful if you see someone wearing a mask. Yes it’s your choice not to wear one, but respect the choice of those who do – especially since they’re helping to protect our community.”
However, people who responded on Bittle’s Facebook post weren’t as charitable as the MP.
“Good grief. All that negative energy shouldn’t be in charge of a classroom!” said one. Added another, “Like every profession, there are people who should choose a career path that does not affect the vulnerable. He/She is not a good role model for students.”
One pointed out that some daycares are being far more cautious. “Our son’s daycare centre is phasing them out over the next five weeks instead of going cold turkey overnight. Reasonable approach in my opinion.”
Of course, with what’s going on in Ukraine, another wondered if “freedom” was really be violated in Canada. “Freedom from what? Freedom is being fought for in Ukraine. I’ll continue to wear a mask and avoid crowded places and keep a distance from people, etc.”
One man pointed to a student protest at St. Catharines’ Eden High School today over the early lifting of the mask mandates. “Group of students outside of Eden at lunch protesting that the schools are mask free. They know it’s not over and Eden has been closed completely due to outbreaks.”
Suffice it to say, the great majority of responses were upset that a person in charge of children would sink to this level.