We are all exhausted.
All the US political drama, local provincial and municipal politics – it’s already more than enough. But we also have to contend with a COVID second wave surge.
It’s not going out on a limb to assume that you and yours are like me and mine, and have hit the COVID wall. Feeling like you’re giving health orders your all – while also feeling you’ve had enough.
There is no blame game here for being done, or even downright mad. The Prime Minister is right: this sucks.
In our neck of the woods, November is literally the epitome of “dark days.” And this year feels like constant “are you kidding me” moments. But ponder passing on the eye roll and instead to commit to showing what we’ve learned and what we’re made of. Right now, making sacrifices in the name of protecting our fellow humans, isn’t an ask. It’s a demand.
It doesn’t take a rules list a mile long to know what needs to be done to keep businesses open, schools in session and surgeries booked. (And if you’re looking for that list – ask yourself if you’re really just looking for loopholes.)
The simplest summary of Dr. Bonnie Henry’s latest public health order goes like this: if you live in the Lower Mainland, cancel your social calendar for two weeks.
Your indoor AND outdoor socializing is no longer safe. If it’s not work, school, or essential, don’t even leave your community.
This is NOT a big ask. In March and April we did it for months. There’s simply no reason to not go home and stay home, other than work and school.
Instead, pivot your mind to contemplating a forced period of isolation, possibly longer than 14 days. The likelihood of that happening to YOU increases with every day we don’t do it voluntarily.
It’s not brain surgery, it’s so that brain surgeries can continue.
For those who’ve been living tight, this is frustrating as hell. I hear you, I’m with you. But it’s important we don’t become Covid cops here; no matter what, there will be people who break the rules. You have to trust they are the minority.
Instead of getting extra frustrated, instead consider asking your loved ones to join. Gently tell your parents, brothers and sisters, neighbours, and besties the importance of joining the community in the Lower Mainland’s two week social shutdown.
If the call to stay apart in the name of coming together is heard far and wide, this surge can still become a flattened curve.
I’ve lost count of the comments and posts shouting “SHUT DOWN SCHOOLS NOW!!!”, each showing how fear can take over. Dr. Henry has made it clear that keeping kids in school is priority number one; the damage done by shutting down schools would be irreparable for countless kids.
Want schools to be safe? Go home, stay there, and only interact with members of your household. If you live alone, arrange to create a family bubble with one or two friends who are ONLY spending time with you. Reduce contacts to your lowest possible number.
The light might just be on the horizon. Monday’s vaccine news brings hope this might be behind us in the not-too-distant future. Until then, we must stay vigilant.
For now, it’s two weeks. Like the vacations we used to take, except the couch replaces the hammock between palm trees.
We did it in March, we can do it again. See you (in person) in 14 days.
Jody Vance is a born and raised Vancouverite who’s spent 30 years in both local and national media. The first woman in the history of Canadian TV to host her own sports show in primetime, since 2011 she’s been working in both TV and radio covering news and current affairs.
SWIM ON:
- Last week, Jody Vance shared the bad news that a family member had to go to the Emergency Room - and the good news that BC still has a great healthcare system.
- Roslyn Kunin also has advice on how to get through a pandemic winter.
- Kristina Acri pointed out some regulatory roadblocks that might hamper Canadian efforts to develop a COVID-19 vaccine.
