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Community Comment: Common sense not always guaranteed during a pandemic

In order to avoid contracting and spreading COVID-19 we have been asked to use our common sense. Whether it’s our behaviour in private or public, “Common sense should guide us”, says provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.
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In order to avoid contracting and spreading COVID-19 we have been asked to use our common sense.  Whether it’s our behaviour in private or public, “Common sense should guide us”, says provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. 

What might be common sense to some is not necessarily what it is to another. Common sense is defined as sound, practical judgment developed through life experience. It calls for us to be aware and reflect on situations before making decisions. 

Every day I make common sense decisions on how to protect myself and my family from the corona virus. The problem is that’s a variable dependent on my personal view of the world and the limits of my experience. In other words common sense is objective. 

Did the woman from Tsawwassen who decided to have brunch with a friend in the city have common sense? The Vancouver police officer who pulled her over didn’t think so.  She got a hefty fine for travelling outside her health region and for meeting someone not in her household. In her mind common sense told her dining at a restaurant with protocols, and wearing masks was complying with new health orders, but it wasn’t. 

Anti-maskers reject the benefits of a face mask, they believe being forced to wear a mask is a violation of their freedom and liberty. Thankfully the majority of us know wearing a mask is common sense, unlike the man I saw in the Tsawwassen Canadian Tire proudly in violation of the mask wearing order. It was a Monday night at 8 pm and the poor cashier had to deal with his view of common sense. 

The Delta Teachers Association wants parents to encourage their kids to wear masks to school even though it's not an order. Psychiatrists believe common sense begins around age 7, when decision making and the ability to understand the consequences of an action kick in. Sounds like common sense to me that children would be encouraged to take responsibility for their health and wear a mask. The pandemic is an intense life experience, and a great teaching moment to show respect for others.      

Please use your common sense when it comes to decision making during this second wave of the virus, my families well being is dependent upon you complying with health orders.  It’s going to be a while until the spread of covid is under control so continue to be calm, be safe and be kind to one another.  

Ingrid Abbott is a freelance broadcaster and writer who thinks it’s common sense to go all out on Christmas lights and decorating this year because it just feels good.