Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Mel Rothenburger

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: The importance of golf, and other games, in the COVID-19 crisis

Mar 26, 2020 | 4:39 AM

KAMLOOPS— THE CLOSING OF GOLF COURSES has got me wondering if there’s a point at which our determination to escape the COVID-19 virus becomes overly enthusiastic.

That might surprise you given my comments yesterday about the Emergency Measures Act but hear me out.

We know social distancing is our major weapon against the virus, along with good personal hygiene.

And except for those irresponsible types who insist on gathering in large numbers and in close proximity, we’re in.

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The golf courses are to be commended — they’re willing to take a big financial hit for the greater good.

But if any recreation is capable of being carried out with proper social distancing, it’s golf.

It’s not a contact sport.

Members of golf foursomes can easily stay away from each other. In fact, foursomes can become onesomes if need be.

I liked the earlier plans to leave flagsticks in holes, do away with raking bunkers and sanitize golf carts and anything else that might be touched.

Still, you say, why take any chances? So I’ll get to my real point.

Each day, health officials tell us about the latest service or activity that’s being shut down, and politicians reveal welcome new plans to deal with economic fallout.

Those are essential, of course, but let’s start talking about our mental health beyond being told to stay home, study Latin online and practice the harmonica.

Human beings aren’t wired for solitary confinement.

Socializing is only part of recreation. The other part is our need to get out and do something.

So maybe we need a provincial panel of health and recreation experts to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for how to maintain designated recreational activities outside the home in safety, rather than banning all of them.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and a retired newspaper editor. He is a regular contributor to CFJC, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.