Editor:
Like many older adults living in South Delta, my husband and I have spent the last six months, doing the right thing, by staying a home most of the time, social distancing when out in public, washing our hands frequently, and wearing non-medical masks. (Until last month, like many other people, we also hadn't been able to see my mother and my father-in-law, respectively, who both live in other small towns in B.C.)
On Saturday, Sept. 19, after a few days inside due to the region's poor air quality, I decided to walk to Ladner Village to shop, while my husband stayed home to watch golf. After a couple of hours of running errands, I was a bit tired, and decided to take the 617 shuttle bus home to East Ladner, from the Ladner Exchange bus loop.
After I got on the bus, which now only seats 10 to 15 people, three teenage girls and one teenage boy also got on the bus. The boy was wearing a mask, and paid for his ticket. However, the three teenage girls, who weren't wearing masks, all stated that they had all “forgotten” their Compass cards at home. Could they get a ride on the bus for free?
The driver, who was safely sitting behind a large curtain of plastic, didn't say anything in response, but allowed them all on the shuttle bus. So much for the “mandatory masks” policy on transit! If I, who am more than 40 years older than these young women, can remember to keep my Compass card in my purse at all times, and to wear a mask out in public, then they can do it too. It's not that hard.
As a society, we are constantly being bombarded with messages that youth don't like being stereotyped, as inconsiderate, lazy, and selfish navel-gazers. They say that they are misunderstood by older adults, and that it isn't fair. However, in this case, actions really do speak louder than words. If youth want to be treated with respect by older people in society, and not like children, then you can start by behaving intelligently, when out in public. They can do the right thing: by wearing masks on transit, and by paying the transit fare, like everybody else is expected to do. Otherwise, most of them are able-bodied enough to walk home (in this case, only three bus stops from the Loop), while maintaining appropriate social distancing.
A. Cameron
