In my lifetime I would never have imagined such crazy, awful, strange, tragic events. It all started as a bit of a "joke". I remember we were vacationing in Puerto Vallarta in February and we were joking about catching the "corona". We had no idea at that time just how serious this was going to become as the days began to unfold.
As with most people, I watched the news and thought "oh, it won't be that bad in Canada". My "come to Jesus" moment happened on Monday, March 9, 2020. As I scanned the news, I saw signs overseas that concerned me and I went out and started stocking up on supplies, or as some call it, panic buying. I told some of my friends and family and suggested they do the same. Some laughed, or mocked me. Whatever....my thinking was "i'd rather have food I don't need, than need food I don't have."
March 11, 2020
Around March 11th, most people in Ontario were told to start working from home, if they could. OK people, don't panic. Many of us were still joking and thinking "cool, I won't have to go into the office". The following weekend was pretty much normal, as far as things go in society.
March 16, 2020
Then, "it" happened. I can't recall the exact day, but the panic buying started, toilet paper could not be found. Bars/restaurants closed on March 16th, ironically the day before St. Patrick's Day. Social distancing was encouraged, but not mandatory, yet. My wife and I walked up to a driveway party (which were very common in and around this time) and had a St. Patrick's Day drink with friends. That was to be our final driveway party.
March 19, 2020
Sadly, the first close to home breakout happened in Oshawa on the 19th. Hillsdale Estates Long Term Care Facility announced four COVID-19 cases. Deaths would follow, many of them. Horrifying, sad and most of all, scary.
March 20, 2020
Pinecrest Nursing Home in Bobcaygeon confirms a COVID-19 outbreak. This would prove to be the deadliest outbreak in Ontario with 28 dead as of April 7, 2020. To put that into perspective, Pinecrest only has 60 beds, in total. Almost half, dead. Truly tragic.
I don't recall the exact day it happened in Bowmanville, but the next scary thing happened. Grocery store panic buying. Stores cleaned out, full out panic buying. Looking for yeast? flour? canned soup? pasta? rice? fresh meat? Yes, good luck with that. Thankfully, things evened out the following week and stores started to re-stock. They still were not full, but they had enough stock that you could get what you needed. I wish now that I would have kept better track of events as they unfolded, but it all seemed so surreal.
Then came the laws around social distancing. Restrictions on group gatherings. Tough rules to follow for social animals, which most humans are.
There are just so many facets to this ongoing saga. Sick friends, elderly relatives that need help. Work? My job? Bills? How will we pass the time? What am I "allowed" to do? And, finally the question on all of our minds. "Will I get it?"
Like everyone, I have my moments. Some days I get very sad and worried about my kids, family and friends. Then, a little thing will make me happy. It's always the little things. I notice things now, that I never noticed before. I try to be kinder and my better half keeps me grounded when I get cranky or silly.
My greatest fear in this crisis is not getting sick. My greatest fear is not being able to help my family if, God forbid, they get sick. I pray it never comes to that.
Now, more than ever we need to stick together. And, we will.
Help someone everyday..even if it's just checking in on them. You'll feel better for it.
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