07/03/2020
I came home on the following boat and experienced the same scary behaviour
Hardly anyone with masks in compound.
People eating, drinking within a couple of feet, no mask, no distance and then shoving through the g*t both on and off boat.
Perhaps the boat should be divided into numbered sections and asked to stay put until their section is invited to leave.
It will take a bit longer but ferry staff will have extra time for cleaning and I think this is even more critical
and they will still have time.
I also wish people would understand that have a mask just over lips doesn’t count.
Lesley
11 third
From an at risk islander
Please take care of yourselves and each other
We all want to be safe and courteous
Sent from Rogers Yahoo Mail for iPhone
On Friday, July 3, 2020, 8:15 AM, Philip Chatterton wrote:
NOTE: I apologize for this lengthy email. I was extremely reluctant to send this but those I spoke to said it was important for me to share my experience on the boat yesterday and I can't do that in 128 characters. I want to think I'm just being overly cautious however I fear that I am not.
I am a huge fan of the city parks staff on the Island and the ferry staff / crew are amazing. I am grateful for all they do...
That said, I have more than a serious issue after riding the Ferry home to Ward's yesterday afternoon (1:30 City to Ward's July 2, 2020). The several hundred passengers displayed no concern for social distancing - no concern for others.
I spent the morning doing errands in the city and felt relatively safe and able to practice evidence based protective measures.
When I got to the Ferry TERMINAL I was "forced by design" into a small Ward's docking waiting section where most people were not wearing masks - I wore mine. We were outdoors so I assumed some risk was acceptable though I realize now that was a 'Straw Man' argument.
As we began to board the entire crowd was funneled into the boats entrance en masse - not in a single socially distanced line -- like every store I have been to recently.
What really disturbed me, and the point of this email, happened when we were docking at Ward's. My bike and cart filled with groceries were on the lower deck near the front of the g*te at the exit of the boat. I try to park my bike to the side of the g*te pointing to the exit but I angle the cart back so that it doesn't block the walkway, the stairs or the crew getting to the g*te. As the boat was docking - people naturally crowded to the exit at the bottom of the stairs. Without warning, I was engulfed into an extremely close knit uncomfortable space with more than a dozen people and their bikes for several minutes - an absolutely unacceptable risk.
What happened next is something I am still trying to process...
I looked to my right and found a late 20's man had decided that pushing himself and his bike into the angled span between my cart and my bike (seriously that close) was perfectly ok. For longer than most elevator rides, he was less than 2' away from me and bearing down to get off the boat.
My first reaction was to very politely ask him to move as he was going to get squished by my bike when I exited - if I moved forward a foot I'd hurt him.
His smug response was "or you can let me go first". Let's be clear, this person literally barged their way into my personal space (let alone my Covid space) from behind and felt entitled to do so.
I responded sternly, "or you can practice social distancing guidelines", loudly enough so that the dozen people now standing 2' apart could hear.
He smirked, "I'm sorry that makes you so angry" to which I replied "I'm not angry, I'm scared and concerned for my community". I very clearly and perhaps loudly made it known this was unacceptable behaviour in a confined space.
The Ferry deck hand, getting prepped to dock, looked over at me and asked, "everything ok?" to which I gratefully replied "yes, for now". His question and tone were taken as a sign of support - he himself had to squeeze past people to get to the g*te to ready for docking! I think he also felt trapped and needlessly endangered (my interpretation only). As I exited and passed the deck hand he quietly wished me a nice day and I thanked him.
Why am I so fearful? I directly interact with several Islanders who are considered in the high risk category for infection. I don't want to have to choose between getting home and killing myself or my family and friends!
I was later asked, "were the people around you wearing masks?" While everyone wore a mask entering and exiting the boat because they had to, there was limited use in the compound and only 80-85% use on the boat during the trip. Regardless, to the best of my knowledge wearing a mask, especially in an enclosed environment, does not overrule social distancing guidelines.
I simply can't fault the people on the boat around me. They are excited and eager to get outside and enjoy Island paradise. How could I possibly blame them? I know the feeling every single morning. I can't blame the Ferry staff - they were doing all they could do and far beyond what I would do if I were working there. Do I blame management or city officials? Do I attribute malice where ignorance is most likely the answer?
During my brief travels into the city yesterday there was no issue until I reached the compound. I think it appropriate that it's called the 'Jack Layton Ferry Terminal' - to not provide a safe environment for staff and the Island community could literally kill us!
Painting feet on the ground in the compound is 'cute' but seems negligent considering the serious risks; forcing people to g*ther in this way is like leaving handguns lying around the compound with a "No Gun" sign next to them. After watching the way nursing home patients and the homeless were and are being treated by our governments, I am not willing to trust and accept the standard the Ferry service is providing for public health.
For the moment I am lucky to have some options to the Ferry and I will use them at all costs rather than bring home to my family and friends exposure to a virus we as a community have been uniquely unexposed to.
This was only my experience - I hope we can effect change so it doesn't become yours!
philly
Philip Chatterton
10 Dacotah Ave
416 358-7441
--
Philip Chatterton
[email protected]
Cell: (416) 358-7441
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