Editorial – Presse-Républicain: getting vaccinated, helping the economy | Editorials

These are all measures that help us fight COVID-19, which has been responsible for serious damage to the economy in many ways as well as to our health.

Ending the pandemic is certainly important for everyone’s health and safety, but it will also be a major key to rebuilding the economic landscape.

Over the past 18 months, we’ve seen businesses shut down, workers on leave, staff shortages galore, a shortage of goods and rising prices for some commodities.

Economic damage rivals damage to health and it all adds up to a grim situation.

Not to mention that our social lives have been negatively affected, and it seems to be getting worse, and more and more events are being canceled again due to the increase in [novel coronavirus] positive cases in the region.

No one wants to go back to empty streets and more closed storefronts.

We have the tools to get back on track.

The sooner we end this pandemic, the sooner we can return to a more robust economy, more events, and better lives.

The vaccination rate has increased lately, but it is still way too slow and there are still too many people who will not even consider getting vaccinated.

It’s hard to put a figure on it because many of those who don’t want to be vaccinated and who don’t want to wear a mask are among the first to complain about the economy.

We shouldn’t wait for the government to get us out of this mess as we have seen too many mixed messages regarding COVID-19 over the past year and a half.

Last weekend we saw NFL stadiums packed with people shoulder to shoulder and most of them weren’t wearing masks as far as we can see on TV.

The government seems convinced that this is OK even though COVID cases are increasing mainly due to the delta variant.

It is true that while most of these fans are vaccinated they are not at risk of hospitalization or death, but you have to understand that such events are bound to be super-spreaders, and it will put a strain on our healthcare system. , which is also wrong.

When local events are canceled, restaurants closed and shelves empty, people think about those football games and can’t help but be frustrated.

The only sure way out of this pandemic is to take the steps we know are working: get vaccinated, wear a mask, and avoid large crowds.

With cold weather fast approaching and the prospect of spending more time indoors, the urgency is greater than ever.

We don’t want another winter like last year, and with the way [the coronavirus] is still spreading, it could be worse.

Get vaccinated, wear a mask, avoid large crowds, and save lives and jobs.

Stay safe, northern country.