Columnists

(Composite image / Juneau Empire)

MIKE’S MUSINGS: Navigating the COVID confusion of the past year

Is it really any wonder this thing has dragged on for this long?

A gate closes off a forestry service road near Campbell River. Photo by Marc Kitteringham, Campbell River Mirror

OPINION: British Columbians need the Right to Roam

Right to Roam gives people the right to explore unhindered

A 1959 reminder to wash your hands. Alberta Department of Health

The silver lining, one year later

Looking back and forward after a year of pandemic

A nurse prepares to vaccinate healthcare workers at a COVID-19 drive-thru immunization site in Coquitlam in this image supplied to the media by Fraser Health on March 8, 2021. (Fraser Health)

OPINION: Helping a 97-year-old man get his COVID vaccination appointment

Call centre inundated with 1.7 million calls while there are just 50,000 folks over 90 in B.C.

A nurse prepares to vaccinate healthcare workers at a COVID-19 drive-thru immunization site in Coquitlam in this image supplied to the media by Fraser Health on March 8, 2021. (Fraser Health)
Fewer than 2,500 Campbell River residents headed to the polls to elect a replacement for new MLA Michele Babchuk on city council. Black Press File Photo

MIKE’S MUSINGS: I’m not disappointed in you very often, Campbell River

Keep complaining about decisions instead of deciding who makes them and see how that works out

Fewer than 2,500 Campbell River residents headed to the polls to elect a replacement for new MLA Michele Babchuk on city council. Black Press File Photo
FILE - In this Friday, Jan 1, 2021 file photo, a lorry driver's documents are scanned on a phone as he passes a checkpoint for the train through the Eurotunnel link with Europe in Folkestone, England. One month after Britain made a New Year split from the European Union's economic embrace, businesses that once traded freely are getting used to frustrating checks, delays and red tape. Meat exporters say shipments have rotted in trucks awaiting European health checks. Scottish fishermen have protested at Parliament over the catch they can no longer sell to the continent because of byzantine new paperwork. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File)

FINLAYSON: Government should focus on strengthening B.C.’s leading export industries

To revive the economy, this piece in the strategy is integral, writes Jock Finlayson

  • Mar 1, 2021
FILE - In this Friday, Jan 1, 2021 file photo, a lorry driver's documents are scanned on a phone as he passes a checkpoint for the train through the Eurotunnel link with Europe in Folkestone, England. One month after Britain made a New Year split from the European Union's economic embrace, businesses that once traded freely are getting used to frustrating checks, delays and red tape. Meat exporters say shipments have rotted in trucks awaiting European health checks. Scottish fishermen have protested at Parliament over the catch they can no longer sell to the continent because of byzantine new paperwork. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File)
Sheila Malcolmson, minister of mental health and addictions in B.C. (B.C. Government photo)

MALCOLMSON: 2020 left us grappling with overdose tragedy and working for change

B.C.’s Addictions Minister reflects on visit to Overdose Prevention Society in Vancouver

  • Feb 12, 2021
Sheila Malcolmson, minister of mental health and addictions in B.C. (B.C. Government photo)
Bruce Cockburn, now 74, has played Victoria many times and returns Nov. 8 to the Royal Theatre with a new album full of material that includes a song inspired by a connection with a former City of Victoria poet laureate. Photo by Zach Bonnell/Flickr

OUT ON A LIMB: The long and winding road to a song

Taking a break from wanna-be dictators, pandemics and social media squabbling, I…

Bruce Cockburn, now 74, has played Victoria many times and returns Nov. 8 to the Royal Theatre with a new album full of material that includes a song inspired by a connection with a former City of Victoria poet laureate. Photo by Zach Bonnell/Flickr
OUT ON A LIMB. Campbell River Mirror

Infringement of rights is in the eye of the beholder

As I expected it would, our IRICE cartoon last week got a…

OUT ON A LIMB. Campbell River Mirror
Island Health board chair Leah Hollins. (Lexi Bainas/News Staff)

ISLAND HEALTH COLUMN: New year focus on vaccinations, opioid crisis, racism in healthcare

Island Health says while there is much work ahead, there is hope

  • Jan 2, 2021
Island Health board chair Leah Hollins. (Lexi Bainas/News Staff)
Motor coach companies in B.C., and across Canada, have been left struggling as they near 10 months of operating at a 95 per cent reduction in revenues. (Courtesy Wilson’s Group)

COLUMN: Bus companies at risk as revenue drops 95 per cent, no help in sight

John Wilson is president and CEO, The Wilson’s Group of Companies

  • Dec 30, 2020
Motor coach companies in B.C., and across Canada, have been left struggling as they near 10 months of operating at a 95 per cent reduction in revenues. (Courtesy Wilson’s Group)
University Hospital of Northern B.C., in Prince George. (UBC photo)

‘I am tired, and my soul hurts’: B.C. nurse reflects on working in ICU unit during COVID

Renée Bush writes about what it is like on the front-line of the pandemic in the north

  • Dec 16, 2020
University Hospital of Northern B.C., in Prince George. (UBC photo)
Jock Finlayson, Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer of the Business Council of British Columbia (submitted)

FINLAYSON: The long economic tail of COVID-19

‘Fast forward to late 2020 and the situation has partially stabilized’

  • Dec 11, 2020
Jock Finlayson, Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer of the Business Council of British Columbia (submitted)
The Campbell River Hospice Society held its lighted Garden Vigil in December 2019. The vigil is held so members of the community can take a moment during the busy holiday season to honour those in their lives who have passed. Here, people have put names of loved ones on on the outside of bags with candles in them and sat for a few moments’ reflection. File photo by Alistair Taylor – Campbell River Mirror

Experiencing loss through the pandemic and holiday season

The COVID-19 pandemic changes the way we will be celebrating the holidays…

  • Dec 9, 2020
The Campbell River Hospice Society held its lighted Garden Vigil in December 2019. The vigil is held so members of the community can take a moment during the busy holiday season to honour those in their lives who have passed. Here, people have put names of loved ones on on the outside of bags with candles in them and sat for a few moments’ reflection. File photo by Alistair Taylor – Campbell River Mirror
(Black Press Media file photo)

OPINION: Island Health doctors call on residents to ‘double down’ to slow spread of COVID-19

Positive cases increasing at a rate that causes concern for health officers

  • Nov 18, 2020
(Black Press Media file photo)
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry views the Murals of Gratitude exhibition in Vancouver’s Gastown, July 5, 2020. (The Canadian Press)

GUEST COLUMN: COVID-19 masks mandatory in B.C., but not everywhere

Orders require them where necessary, Provincial Health Officer says

  • Nov 17, 2020
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry views the Murals of Gratitude exhibition in Vancouver’s Gastown, July 5, 2020. (The Canadian Press)
President-elect Joe Biden speaks after touring Jerry Alander Carpenter Training Center on September 18 in Hermantown, Minnesota. The first debate between President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden is tonight. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

OPINION: Celebrate Biden’s win, then keep up the struggle

I woke up on Saturday and checked my phone, like I had…

President-elect Joe Biden speaks after touring Jerry Alander Carpenter Training Center on September 18 in Hermantown, Minnesota. The first debate between President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden is tonight. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Pandemic boosts my love of learning

Awesome, I thought, when the pandemic hit, I’ll learn some new skills.

Oh, let’s see, where should I begin?

Let’s review the possibilities…

TIEL’S TALES: To send your child to school or not? Parents mull fall dilemma

Campbell River School district to offer in-class or hybrid learning