Today was fundamentally a shitty day as far as COVID-19 goes in Manitoba.
There were upwards of 500 cases again today. Not surprising, given the numbers lately. But it's disturbing that nearly 4 weeks into this Code Red, and cases are continually ticking upwards.
But none of that was the worst part.
The province recorded the youngest COVID fatality today. A little boy, under 10.
Some people online are demanding answers about "pre-existing conditions". And quite frankly, whatever the case may have been, it's ridiculous. A kid deserves a chance to grow up. To live a life. To become somebody. And all that gets cut short, taken away from him, because of the seeming general inability of the most selfish among us to stay at home, wear a mask, and limit non-essential business and travel.
This thing isn't "just killing old people". It isn't "just a flu". I'm hoping, desperately, that the death of a child will be the wakeup call some people need. If the needless death of a child doesn't tug at your heartstrings, then maybe you don't even have one to begin with.
For those of us doing our part: keep going. This isn't forever. Keep washing your hands, wearing your mask, and hoping for a vaccine. We'll get through together.
For those working to get us through this: we're rooting for you. Doctors, nurses, medical professionals, my fellow teachers working to give kids a semblance of normalcy, and countless others, thank you. The country (and world) owes you an enormous debt of gratitude.
For those of you flouting the rules, and only thinking of yourselves and what you want: shame on you. People are dying. Children are dying. Going clubbing, or on vacation, or not wearing a mask, or gathering in massive groups to whine about how your rights are being taken away from you is ridiculous in a pandemic. This has been going on for months; this isn't new. You're a monster, who very well could be the reason that somebody's parent, loved one, or child dies. Do better.
The only way we get through this is together, and it's obvious that some are on "team humanity" more than others. This thing doesn't care who you are or where you come from, or even how old you are as we clearly learned today. If nothing else, let's use this tragedy of a child dying as a wakeup call: this thing is still with us, and we need to mount a more unified front if our response to this thing is going to work.
We owe it to our fellow humans.
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