senht a coupl e version so f theis. pex, not pub; toronto star
— To Toronto Star, 2022-01-22
To the Editor,
Both sides of the debate make good points. For what it’s worth, I’m in the “No” camp due the many reasons Taylor C. Noakes makes. I’m fully vaxxed plus booster if anyone cares.
But I disagree with Éric Blais’ statmment “Neither carrots nor sticks will work with these two segments.” At this late stage in the pandemic we’re unlikely to change minds about vaccination. Punitive measures such as Quebec’s proposed tax is a slippery slope we should avoid starting down.
I propose a simple “carrot” solution: $1000 tax-free payments to those currently vaccinated as per their provincial guidleines. Similar payments to holdouts once similarly vaccinated. No judgement. No more cajoling or arguing. Be vaccinated, get money.
Certainly there will still be holdouts, as well as those who cannot be vaccinated due to legitimate health reasons. But I’m willing to bet my $1000 that we’d achieve >95% vaccination rates using this one simple trick. After all, money talks.
Too expensive you say; perhaps $40 billion is just too much? Consider the costs of the pandemic so far; CERB & CEWS alone “cost” ~$160 billion. Or the further costs as we spend a few more months, if not more, battling this pandemic.
Furthermore, the majority of this money will be spent right back into the economy, so the all-important economics lines will go up!
Respectfully submitted for publication,
Cedric Silvester
35 Springbrook Dr.
PETERBOROUGH, ONT. K9J 1L3
705-930-7680
To the Editor,
At this late stage in the COVID-19 pandemic, more pestering and arguing is unlikely to change minds about vaccination. And punitive measures such as Quebec’s proposed tax is a slippery slope we should avoid starting down.
I propose a simple solution: $1000 tax free payments to those who are currently fully vaccinated & boosted. Similar payments to current holdouts once they’re fully protected.
Sure there will still be holdouts, along with those who cannot be vaccinated due to legitimate health reasons. But I’m willing to bet my $1000 that we’d achieve >90% vaccination rates using this one simple trick. After all, money talks.
Too expensive you say? Consider the costs of the pandemic so far. Or the further costs as we spend a few more months, if not more, battling this pandemic.
Furthermore, the majority of they money will be spent right back into the economy, so the all-important economics lines will go up!
Respectfully submitted for publication,
Cedric Silvester
35 Springbrook Dr.
PETERBOROUGH, ONT. K9J 1L3
705-930-7680
