Dale Boyd

Osoyoos Times

This is a historic, frightening and confusing time. We must stick together and be rational, calm and thoughtful of our actions.

As our front page for tomorrow’s paper will read “This is not forever.”

Our lives are going to be difficult, complicated and change day-to-day in the foreseeable future. Already we are seeing the generosity of our communities with local shops making the extra effort to provide deliveries or services needed and people going the extra mile to reach out on social media to those in need during this time of isolation.

I have no doubt in my mind that community spirit will continue as we forge ahead into what is becoming the new reality for the time being.

There are a lot of questions and speculation as important information comes out daily.We are doing our best to put out our print product while keeping stories coming out online, giving our readers the information we feel is most important to the community in times of crisis. That being said, we are a small, independently owned newspaper chain, and our resources are limited.

We too are a local small business impacted by this crisis and our day-to-day operations have had to adjust. We are not immune from the economic impact of these isolation protocols.  However, it is our duty to bring this community the information necessary to stay safe and we will continue to do so.

Please stay up to date with provincial resources online, we will continue to update our website with impacts locally as best we can. I have been focusing on getting vital and important information into our print product so we can reach those who are not connected online. 

Note that some of the information in the newspaper may have changed since we sent it to print, so please stay up to date either online, through TV or a friend. 

We have foregone our Things to Do section to include a page with all the provincial health authority resources and phone numbers in the issue of the Osoyoos Times to assist as a guide for those who do not have access to the internet.

This is truly a surreal experience for myself and I know many of you as well. It will become increasingly tough to function but we must continue to do what we can, and think of our most vulnerable and keep them in mind as we take the proper precautions.

Remember the current information from authorities is that there is not a shortage of supplies in Canada, so stockpiling is not necessary and may take resources away from those who need them more immediately.

I realize there is a lot of information that may have changed when it comes to local business hours and operations by the time our paper goes to print, and we have had to make adjustments to how we operate like many of you have. 

While many of us are isolated I would encourage anyone who has a positive story to share to please reach out to [email protected].

Similarly, if there is an important message that you need to get out to the community please inform us.