A Covid-19 update…

Some thoughts at 3 1/2 months in...

- I feel badly for members of the Grade 12 graduating class: they don’t get to observe their significant achievement in a rite-of-passage convocation ceremony
- I feel badly that these same kids don’t get to say goodbye through a wonderful prom event
- I’m worried that many of them have seen their summer job opportunities vanish before their eyes, leaving them with potential financial shortfalls for college and university fees in the fall (that is, assuming there is a back-to-school movement in the fall at all!)
- While I’m impressed with the efforts employers are making to keep their businesses alive, I must confess I’m relieved I no longer run my marketing agency where I’d be consumed with angst over keeping my employees engaged, ensuring clients are happy, paying the rent, etc.
- I’m amazed that in the 17,000 person Ontario town where I live, we have somehow managed to avoid the horrors of the virus: just 6 people contracted the illness (4 early on after returning from travels) and all have been resolved; the last one developed over a month and a half ago
- Are we doing something unusual to avoid the plague here in Midland? There are several seniors residences and hospices here (traditional hot-beds), yet everyone I know is maintaining social distances, religiously washing their hands, not touching their faces, etc., etc.
- We have experienced no deaths and the local hospital staff are not being run off their feet dealing with Covid-19
- Congrats Midland, Ontario! We’ve managed to dodge the bullet and should take a moment to rejoice in that fact.
- I’m pleased the government finally moved the 5-person social gathering rule (5!?! where’d that weird number come from?) to 10; this meant The Midlandaires, the band I sing with, were able to stage a free concert last week.
- I remain saddened that the SPCA (the Society for the Provision of Cruelty to Animals) ignores the comfort of pets and their owners by keeping the off-leash park locked up, writing some drivel about safety of staff when the staff are never even there in the park when dog owners are: it’s nothing to do with staff. How sad, and very disappointing.
- Finally, at the end of the day, I offer gratitude that I have not come down with the disease. Nor has anyone I know.

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