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w at er lo oc hr on ic le .c a W at er lo o C hr on ic le | T hu rs da y, M ar ch 25 ,2 02 1 | 6 ABOUT US This newspaper, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 70 community publications across Ontario. This newspaper is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the news- paper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca editorial@waterloochronicle.ca facebook.com/waterloochronicle @wlchronicle WHO WE ARE VP, Regional Publisher Kelly Montague Regional General Manager Nelson Parreira nparreira@metroland.com Regional Director of Media Heather Dunbar hdunbar@starmetrolandmedia.com Advertising Representatives Cassandra Dellow, Jan Bodanka, Matt Miller, Lisa Humphreys, Sheri-Lyn Blair, Chris Rego Managing Editor Robyn Wilkinson Online Editor Adam Jackson Reporters Bill Jackson CONTACT US Waterloo Chronicle 475 Thompson Dr., Units 1-4 Cambridge, ON N1T 2K7 Phone: 519-886-2830 Fax: 519-623-9155 Web: www.waterloochronicle.ca Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 320 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters. Published letters will appear in print and/or online at waterloochronicle.ca Delivery For all delivery inquiries, e-mail customerservice@metroland.com or call 519-894-3000 OPINION TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT WATERLOOCHRONICLE.CA LETTERS & COMMENTARY VACCINATION PROCEDURE WAS FLAWLESSLY EXECUTED I recently received my first COVID vaccination. Every part of the process -- Pre-registration, registra- tion and the appointment at the Boardwalk was han- dled with efficiency and graciousness. I talked to about half a dozen personnel involved (retired regional politi- cian, doctor, nurses, health care workers, auxiliary po- lice and others) and ob- served at least another doz- en volunteers, guiding peo- ple through the process. ? I arrived the required 10 minutes before the ap- pointment and, despite there being a steady stream of people before and after me, I received the vaccination four minutes before the appointed time. In total, including a 15-min- ute waiting time after the needle, I was out in less than half an hour, and left with a printout detailing every aspect of the appoint- ment. Congratulations and gratitude to all involved in planning and implementa- tion! RON MATHIES, WATERLOO WHY NOT USE STOP SIGNS TO GET TRAFFIC TO SLOW DOWN? The least expensive and most immediate way to slow traffic on a neigh- bourhood street that driv- ers use as a throughway is to install stop signs at all intersections. Local residents would barely be affected, pedes- trians would be safer, and drivers would want to by- pass what used to be a shortcut. COLETTE RICHARD, CAMBRIDGE NO ONE WANTS TO BE REDUCED TO A CARICATURE "All white people are racists! All old people are feeble!" Does that hurt? Does that make you angry? Of course it does. Of course it should. Not all white people are racists, and not all old peo- ple are feeble. Now take that feeling, and have compassion for all of the people of colour and Asian descent who have to live with those aw- ful tropes every day. They want only to be judged by their individual character and not by their physical traits. What human being doesn't? ? The owner of Dr. Seuss's legacy has decided to pro- tect the wonderful parts of his legacy by pulling the books that perpetuate rac- ist thinking to new genera- tions. When you know better you do better. That's called growth and progress, not cancel cul- ture. KELLY SMITH, KITCHENER Locally owned and oper- ated businesses are the so- cial, cultural and economic heart of a community. Unfor- tunately, this past year has left many unsure if they can continue. In a 5-part online series, we looked at the vital role local businesses play in our communities, the finan- cial pressure they are under due to COVID-19 and what we can do to help them sur- vive. Locally owned and oper- ated businesses are in trou- ble. While it's true that some creative and enterprising entrepreneurs have been able to find a way to succeed under COVID-19, there are many other businesses whose survival is at stake. The Canadian Federa- tion of Independent Busi- ness is warning that this pandemic could force 75,000 Ontario businesses to shut down. Talk to a local busi- ness owner and they will likely tell you about their fear they may have to close their doors for good. Such a loss would be dev- astating for towns and cities across the province. These businesses are the fabric of a community. They provide jobs, products, needed services, and much more. Local owners are often heavily involved in various volunteer causes and ser- vice clubs that improve the overall quality of life in our towns. They run food drives and fund minor sports teams. They organize pro- jects to improve neighbour- hood parks or revitalize neighbourhoods. The storefronts of these businesses make up the character of our neighbour- hoods; they define our downtown. Once gone, we lose much more than just a store. Last week, we highlight- ed the important role local- ly-owned businesses play in communities across Onta- rio, the pressure they are currently under and what may be gone if these stores can't survive. Yet they can survive. But it requires help. Each of us has the ability to lend our support to these businesses that played a role in build- ing our community. What can you do? Here are five options. 1. Shop local. It sounds simple and it is. You no lon- ger need to physically go in- to a locally-owned store to shop local. Many are now offering online sales with either curbside pickup or delivery. Shopping at a small business has proba- bly never been easier. 2. Support locally-owned businesses on social media. You could share your favou- rite restaurant's menu on so- cial media. Share a photo of what you purchased at a lo- cal shop. Come up with some creative shop-local games to play with friends on social media. And make sure to al- ways tag the business. 3. If you don't need any- thing right now, but still want to help a local busi- ness, buy gift cards. 4. Write a positive online review. A good word about any business can always help attract new customers. 5. Focus on buying di- rectly. Shop at your local farmers' market to buy di- rectly from producers. Many communities even have a virtual farmers' mar- ket. Where available, call lo- cal restaurants directly to order a meal rather than us- ing a delivery app. The res- taurant keeps more money from the purchase that way. HERE IS HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED BUSINESSES BUSINESS