“All travel is selfish right now.” I respectfully disagree. The definition of selfish is (of a person, action, or motive) lacking consideration for others; concerned chiefly with one’s own personal profit or pleasure. “All travel is selfish” is a dogmatic assertion. Arguments will be presented to address this statement in A Wandering Web’s upcoming blog series, A Case for Travel.
Open Dialogues
First of all, our society has become one for shaming people who do not hold to popular political beliefs, and this is not right. We should be able to have open dialogues to make decisions for ourselves. As a nation, we need to re-establish the differences between science and politics. Our vision is clouded and too many people are now making decisions based on either or.
Travel used to bring feelings of joy and excitement. Now? Mention travel and some people become rabid. Travel is possible when it is done safely, responsibly, and respectfully. Airlines and destinations have gone above and beyond to ensure the safety of their guests. I will showcase safety and hygiene protocols that have been put in place by airlines and destinations that are open and welcoming visitors in future posts in this series.
A One-Sided Issue
The other concern is that COVID media coverage has become a one-sided issue. “Stop the spread” and “stay at home” to save lives and to not “overburden our healthcare system” is mainstream. I agree that we must take necessary precautions to protect and keep people safe. This is not a “go rogue” article. Businesses in hospitality and travel have complied with public health regulations to keep people safe. Yet, they are still ordered to close their doors.
All deaths are tragic. I have high regard for the sanctity of life. Of course, I do not want anyone to die from COVID. My heart goes out to those who are ill and to the families who have lost loved ones to this tragedy. There is more than one side to the story. There are others who are also dying and suffering that seem to have been forgotten about.
Mental Health and a Case for Travel
The virus is affecting those who have contracted it along with those who have not. We need to take a holistic view of what is going on. What about mental health? What about suicides? Domestic abuse? Personally, mental health is a huge issue. I come from a family with a history of mental illness so I understand how travel is healing for the heart, mind, and soul. Are we not overburdening our mental health care system as well by refusing people the freedom they need and crave?
The toll on people’s mental health along with the lockdowns is exceptional—particularly on those who are separated from loved ones. I now face being cut off from my family members if interprovincial barriers are put in place. Never in my life did I think I would not be allowed to visit my family members that live in the same country.
Economics and a Case for Travel
And yes, economics does come into play in the current situation. All the fear, all the devastation business owners are suffering is tragic. Livelihoods are being destroyed. We cannot forget these people when decisions are being made about lockdowns. There are communities in this world where their only source of income is tourism and their governments are in no position to give handouts. We are going to enter the greatest time of worldwide starvation and poverty caused by blanket lockdowns. It breaks my heart.
Freedom
Are our Charter of Rights and Freedoms in Canada being violated? Some say during a public health crisis that we have no rights. Statements like this concern me deeply. People fought and died for the freedoms we have today, or should I say “used to have”. We are trampling on the memories and blood spilled from those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. When we say, “We will remember you” or “lest we forget” we not only mean that we remember who the soldiers were but that we will protect and uphold the freedoms they died for.
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Provision 6 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states:
“6. (1) Every citizen of Canada has the right to enter, remain in and leave Canada.
(2) Every citizen of Canada and every person who has the status of a permanent resident of Canada has the right:
to move to and take up residence in any province; and
to pursue the gaining of a livelihood in any province.”
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Provision 6
Lockdowns and recent restrictions are against our mobility rights. Canadians should not be denied the right to enter their own country. Ignoring our rights and freedoms puts us on a slippery slope indeed.
Ask yourself, is it right to tell Canadians they cannot enter their country if they do not have a PCR test? When we lose our freedoms, it will be difficult to get them back. Could an option be to allow testing in Canadian airports upon arrival instead? Rapid testing should be implemented at airports to have the testing done on Canadian soil. This is for quality control reasons and economic reasons. Other options will be explored in future posts.
We are treating honest, good citizens like criminals. I heard on the radio today that a church in 100 Mile House, British Columbia is being monitored by police because people left the building after Sunday service without face coverings. The police took down license plate numbers in the parking lot. Seriously? Look what we have turned into as a nation. I would argue our freedom of religion is also being violated.
The definition of totalitarianism is this: a form of government that attempts to assert total control over the lives of its citizens. It is characterized by strong central rule that attempts to control and direct all aspects of individual life through coercion and repression. It does not permit individual freedom.
Sound familiar?
Do Not be Fooled
“But rights and freedoms don’t mean anything to me if I’m dead.” This is dodgy logic. Before the “new normal” we engaged in risky activities every day. Each time you leave your home, you put your life at risk. Every time you get behind the steering wheel of a car, you put your life and the lives of others at risk. Every time you walk down the sidewalk, you put your life at risk.
Bam!
You get hit by a car crossing the street. Lights out. Yet, before the “new normal” we all did these things, didn’t we?
As always, take precautions for safety when you leave your home. Be aware of surroundings and act accordingly.
You can stay at home in hopes that you don’t get sick or get somebody else sick for the rest of your natural life. What kind of life is that? Remember, you have to have COVID in order to pass COVID. We are not all carrying the virus.
Living a life of fear is not in my DNA. Aiming for a zero-COVID world is an impossible task that comes with severe consequences. If COVID is annihilated, another germ or virus or disease will come along. It always has and always will until the end of the world.
Humanity and a Case for Travel
The virus is here, and we need to learn to live with it, not hide from it. Precautions are necessary to protect the elderly and those who are immunocompromised other than locking down all healthy people in society. The lockdowns are symptomatically making all of us sick.
We are losing our sight of humanity. Where is the care, the compassion, the connection between people? Physical touch is healing and therapeutic. Treating each other as diseases is damaging psychologically. People are walking on icy streets and risking getting hit by a car rather than pass me on the sidewalk. Where is the logic? I am tired of being treated like walking death.
A Case for Travel
It is time to speak from the heart and the head. The industry of travel and hospitality is under attack. The people in these industries need a voice. I hope my words will encourage them and also reach those who are only looking at one side of the issue.
Travel is a Force for Good
All travel is not a selfish act. We can travel safely and responsibly. I look forward to presenting the effect travel has on socioeconomics, mental health, education, cultural aspects, transformational experiences, and the overall good of travel. This is about standing up for freedom and building awareness for an industry that has a profound impact by saving and changing lives.
God is calling me to stand up for my convictions and what I need to accomplish in my life. Sitting in my home doing nothing is helping no one. I have a voice and I have a keyboard. I assure you, life involves exploring this planet as far and as much as possible. We have not been called to have a spirit of timidity, but one of courage. Join me in the coming weeks as I present A Case for Travel. Let’s get travel going again so we can use our freedoms properly by being servants to all people.
“…we need to get back to good, we need to travel again, travel is our vehicle to change the world and transform lives.”
– Bruce Poon Tip, Founder G Adventures and Planeterra Foundation, Unlearn The Year the Earth Stood Still, An Instabook About Travel After the Pandemic
All pictures in this post are taken by Charlotte, yours truly, as always, unless otherwise stated.
*Note: Some of these links are affiliate links, meaning that if you book through my link, I will make a small commission (at no extra cost to you).
