I had to give this some thought, and had to re-read what it was that was posted. I think it could be two-fold.
One is that politics has no place here, and it would not be hard to inject some political thoughts into the discussion and hence delete this whole thread. I do have to compliment those involved, on staying mostly out of that arena, although I bet there may have been some erasing done before posting.
Two, would the discussion on how the whole Covid situation is being dealt with, or not, what effect it has, or has not, how it might or might not have an effect on the lives of humans. This could also get political very quickly but maybe more importantly was leading to 'direct debating' , if I may call it that. That is the prime reason for my suggestion to 'address the chair', if for no other reason that to keep us away from biting at each other.
Three,, I know, I said two, but I couldn't possibly keep this short,,, eh @saddlebum. Folks on North side of the border have the opportunity to watch what's going on with your side. We are not actually involved, we don't have to live with the consequences as you do. I didn't say it doesn't effect us, it will somehow, but we have no real say in the matter, so it's a different ball game for us. We get our info by the News and what ever else we decide to watch or listen to. As with all reporting, there is a slant and we will remember more easily the slant that supports our own thinking rather than any slants that do not. Personally, I do not envy the decision that Americans have/had to make. Sure is good to know that there is a Power that overlooks all this, and that nothing can happen without His knowledge.