In Canada, the May long weekend typically means the start of summer. And, though it often rains, it's a sign that the tide is turning, and we're moving into the glory days of summer are nearly upon us.
Not this year.
No, because of our provincial government's inability to plan ahead, we find ourselves at yet another lockdown, in the midst of the worst wave we've had yet. ICUs are full. Patients are being transferred out-of-province. If the Premier is to be believed, it's somehow US President Biden's fault. And, to add insult to injury: we can't golf with other people outside our household (because yes, that will definitely solve all our current problems).
This time last year, some of the restrictions that were imposed in March were lifting. We thought we had seen the worst, and in many ways, we lived in ignorant bliss until the fall, when things got bad again.
We had no idea what we were in for.
I keep hoping that despite all the stupidity, we're getting close to the end of this thing. As far as possible, I've been trying to keep a positive attitude. That was tested this week, when we recorded our highest daily case count ever, our hospital system was pushed to the max, and our elected officials still failed to take the necessary steps.
Who knows, maybe tighter restrictions are coming. But, I can say with certainty that it sucks seeing other parts of the country opening up, when officials here failed to take precautions, and now we're in such a precarious position.
Let's keep doing our part, to compensate for all those selfish people flaunting the rules. Let's keep our fingers crossed that the restrictions that need to be implemented, are. And perhaps most importantly, let's remember this lacklustre governmental response when we next head to the provincial polls. Our province - healthcare, schools, essential retail, small businesses, and more - will survive this pandemic and thrive not because of our Premier and his cronies, but in spite of them.
To be perfectly clear, none of the blame I assign here is to the medical professionals heading up COVID response or vaccine implementation teams. By all accounts, they've done an upstanding job given the opposition they've no doubt faced from elected leaders. They're maybe the small glimmer of hope this provincial pandemic response has left.
So while we sit at home this long weekend, wishing we lived in another jurisdiction in a better spot, let's not dwell on last year. Instead, let's hope for better things in May 2022.
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