Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Mel Rothenburger

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER – Chamber takes simplistic approach to getting people back to work

Apr 13, 2020 | 4:47 AM

KAMLOOPS — A PROPOSAL BY THE KAMLOOPS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE that the City scrap any thoughts of cutting back on major infrastructure projects would seem to go against all measures of common sense.

The chamber says public bodies need to generate economic activity, and that the pandemic is an ideal time to work on projects because other activities won’t be disrupted.

Aside from the challenges such an approach would pose for physical distancing, there’s the inescapable fact the City faces a multi-million-dollar deficit — and the City isn’t allowed to run deficits.

The chamber uses the words “as many … as possible” when it talks about charging ahead with projects like upgrades to the aquatic centre and Tranquille Road sewer lines, meaning it’s not suggesting distancing guidelines be abandoned. Simple, right?

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It can’t be denied that a reckoning between the current strategy against COVID-19 and fears that it could ruin the economy — not just damage it — may come soon.

The voice of business straining under the yoke of shutdowns will continue to grow regardless of government subsidies that try to soften the blow.

So is some kind of compromise “possible”? Maybe.

A study by scientists at the University of Toronto and University of Guelph on what they call “dynamic” social distancing has concluded that “periodic” loosening of social restrictions based on the number of available Intensive Care Units could save the economy.

As the curve rises, restrictions would go back into effect. They call it riding the wave but it’s more like a roller coaster ride until a vaccine is developed.

The proposal is based on mathematical modelling and it’s complicated. It might be the kind of balanced health-based approach we need to take to this conundrum, not a simplistic one dominated by business interests, as well-meaning as they might be.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and newspaper editor. He writes five commentaries a week for CFJC Today, 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.