To the editor:<\/p>\n
A possible solution to Dave Wawrykow\u2019s concerns in his letter \u201cCOVID-19 test kit roll out was handled badly\u201d of Dec. 23rd:<\/p>\n
Use Canada Post!<\/p>\n
Deliver two tests to each address by Canada Post ASAP if not earlier. Halt delivery of junk mail, catalogues, political messages and (gasp!) bills to ensure letter carriers aren\u2019t overwhelmed. Target the obvious hot spots for the first deliveries. All that lovely data collected from the past few waves can be illuminating in this regard.<\/p>\n
Repeat as required until every household has sufficient tests. Smarter people than I can determine the correct number per household. And have them deliver a few genuine N-95 masks, too. Looks like we might be needing them soon.<\/p>\n
Added benefit: no one has to stand in line for hours in the cold. And Canada Post would be seen as heroes!<\/p>\n
To those whose reaction is the typical anti-Canada Post knee-jerk, I counter that Canada Post does this exact job, day in, day out, passing a letter carrier with a huge sack by every address in the country. They deliver billions of items each year of similar size and shape. It\u2019s like, their job, man!<\/p>\n
Worried about the loss of revenue from all that much-desired junk mail and catalogue delivery? Canada Post is a crown corporation; the government can just ignore this \u201closs\u201d. Or just cut a cheque to cover the losses.<\/p>\n
Full disclosure: both my mother and mother-in-law are former posties. But neither of them had any input in this letter.<\/p>\n
Respectfully submitted for publication,<\/p>\n
Cedric Silvester
\n35 Springbrook Dr.
\nPETERBOROUGH, ONT. K9J 1L3<\/p>\n
705-930-7680<\/p>\n
Idea: why not use Canada Post to deliver rapid tests & N95 masks to everyone? Could replace junk mail and other useless mail?<\/p>\n
Two weeks ago would have been better.\u00a0 We knew a winter surge was coming; the Omicron variant is making it easier to see.<\/p>\n