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By Mel Rothenburger

Armchair Mayor

ROTHENBURGER: Gyms that refuse to close should get fines, not exemptions

Jan 5, 2022 | 4:30 AM

THE IMPORTANCE of physical activity and mental wellness has become obvious during the COVID-19 pandemic but there are limits on how we achieve that.

Some gyms in Kamloops and elsewhere in B.C. refuse to close their doors despite an order from Dr. Bonnie Henry that they must do so at least until Jan. 18. On Tuesday, Henry re-stated her insistence that gyms must close, yet there’s no sign of enforcement.

The gyms say they should be declared an essential service, and that they must stay open for the good of their clients.

There’s no question that those deprived of their daily dose of intense exercise when gyms close feel the effects. It doesn’t take long to start feeling out of sorts.

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But, let’s be real. It’s true there are inconsistencies in pandemic restrictions but people in gyms huff and puff and sweat, a lot. Sanitization is a challenge, whether or not there’s a pandemic.

Compared to the impact on health of getting COVID, going without a workout on the tread mill or weight bench for a few weeks is a small sacrifice.

The gyms were supposed to close Dec. 23. Enforcement officers should have been on the doorsteps of refuseniks immediately handing out $2,300 tickets for each day’s violation.

Harsh, yes, but we live in harsh times. If gyms want to fight the order they can either lobby Henry and Adrian Dix and the rest of government for an exemption (as gyms at the Coast are doing), or take it to court — the latter sounding like a distinct option.

One can sympathize with their loss of business but not with what amounts to civil disobedience.

Nobody wants businesses to suffer but gyms have no right to expect sympathy for breaking the law of the land. Using anti-vax language such as “oppression” and “harassment,” as one local gym has done, isn’t at all helpful.

Neither is letting them get away with it.

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 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.

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