Lockdown concerns were seen by Kawartha Lakes councillors

DAN CEARNS, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, for The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES: A couple of residents are concerned about the ongoing cycle of COVID-19 lockdowns in Ontario.

At a Committee of the Whole meeting, on Tuesday, April 6th, councillors saw a letter from Peter and Laura Wells, outlining their concerns with the provincial government’s recent lockdown announcement.

“The lockdown measures being imposed by the government are draconian and are causing much more harm than good,” the letter stated.

The letter also called on Kawartha Lakes’ politicians to voice their feelings to the province.

“Are you in favour of these measures? Is this the future you want for yourself, your family, [and/or] your friends? We know it’s not the future we want for ourselves or anyone else. And we believe these measures will just continue and that more, [and] more restrictive, mandates will come into effect.”

Ward 6 Councillor Ron Ashmore explained it is important for the council to listen to these concerns.

“I’ve talked to these people, these residents, and I think their points should be heard. We can’t just sweep this aside,” Councillor Ashmore said, pointing to information that shows lockdowns increase feelings of depression, anxiety, and isolation. Councillor Ashmore also stated, “they are not just the only people who are thinking this.” and there should be “alternatives to lockdowns.” Councillors voted in favour of receiving the correspondence.