Emotional Economics

Mary Stinson | Mar 25, 2020

I was disappointed to read the letter to the editor entitled "Emotional Economics" in the March 19th edition of the Frontenac News.  This letter was critical of the decision by the Kingston, Frontenac Public Library Board to continue to pay its employees during the prescribed closure of libraries due to Covid19.  The letter also went on to criticize teachers receiving their salaries during the prescribed closure of schools.

These are unprecedented times in our lifetime, during which we all need to support each other.  If we are speaking about "Emotional Economics", we should be grateful that librarians and teachers, who are people with families just like all of us, are employed by organizations that have the budget capability to continue to support them.  This also ensures that there is more money available in funds like Employment Insurance for people who will not continue to receive earnings. 

 We are all in this together.  This is a time to pull together and support each other, whatever our individual circumstances.  Let's be grateful for anyone's stability economically, and let's insist that our governments collectively ensure everyone receives adequate financial support to get through this crisis.

Mary Stinson