By Sean Delaney
We’re one week closer to the end of this crisis. Canada and Ontario continue to flatten the curve, and I start to get a little more optimistic each day. Soon, we’ll see each other again and we’ll all jump back into the things we’ve been missing so much like seeing family, friends and neighbours, going out to a restaurant or getting a haircut.
For me, above all else, I miss talking to people face-to-face. It’s immensely more challenging for me to publish an informative newspaper without having my camera in hand, a hearty handshake, followed by the question, “Could I have a moment of your time for an interview?”
Being on the phone with a similar request, in these crazy times, yields not many favourable results. But as with all, we carry on.
I miss my friends, my colleagues, my partners with the BIA team, our Emery seniors and even our politicians, who are trying to help us through this mess. Although I’m grateful for the technology that keeps us all connected, I can’t wait to unplug and jump into a real-life conversation. How about a big hug (pending phase two of social distancing rules) to a neighbour we meet out walking?
In some ways, I’m not in a rush to get back to my old ways. There are several things I’m hoping to bring to the future with me. I’d like to continue to eat more meals and spend more time with my family. I’ll try to remember to pick up the phone just as often as I have been, or call an old friend, think about loved ones more often, volunteer, or just dream of taking a walk in Rountree Mills Park on a warm, sunny day.
Recently, the news shows that optimism is growing among Canadians. According to the most recent COVID-19 tracker released by the Angus Reid Institute. Canadians are feeling more optimistic than ever concerning this epidemic. Almost half of Canadians (44 percent) think things are getting better in Canada (up 19 from last week), and the number of Canadians that believe this is going to get worse is in decline. Also, Canadians’ perceptions of being able to go outside are improving, and as optimism improves, the percentage of Canadians, who would ‘avoid’ going out drops. It’s a good indication that as we continue to flatten and (hopefully) decrease the curve, Canadians’ attitudes toward going out in public places will also improve.
As shuttered businesses start to reopen, they will need people to be present and purchasing products. Sales increase the business’s cash flow, which allows them to hire back more of their furloughed employees. The cycle repeats itself again and again as things slowly move back to normal.
I am one to give a hearty thank you to our three stable levels of government, as without them, our cries for help and assistance would not have been heard and acted upon so quickly. There is still much more work to be done.
I leave our beautiful Emery community with a simple request, be charitable. If you can, help your neighbour when they are in need, and please stay strong.
Until next time, stay safe and healthy.