Category: The Collective

Covid Journal 2020

Social Distancing is introduced.

Covid Journal Week One

This is a first hand account of what it is like to live in a Canadian metropolitan city during this Coronavirus outbreak of 2020.

Journey of the Covid -19 while working

Day 1 Ghost train

Its Monday and I am going to venture down town.  There is the concern of proximity working in a busy city. Would someone breathe in my face or worse sneeze on me?  How could I avoid contracting this horrible, death dealing virus?

At the station, I could count the number of cars on both hands in the parking lot and on the platform there are no more than 10 people. The train arrives with a splatter of people onboard. Just like a Ghost Train.

 I rode this Ghost Train all the way to Toronto without a single soul sitting beside me. It takes a virus to give me Rockstar seating. By the time I emerge from hollow cavern called the subway and walk through the corridors of the bus terminal, I get that creepy, uneasy feeling that makes the hairs on the nape of my neck stand on end.  The place is almost deserted like I was walking through some horror movie set.

Day 2 Tuesday

Union Station

Ghost train arrives again but on this day the city is on emergency measures for a lockdown.  Schools will not be coming back after the March break, events are to be cancelled, no large gatherings of over 50 people, non essential services are to be closed except for grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants with take out capacities and alas, the piece de resistance, social distancing is introduced. 

What is social distancing?  Put simply:

Keep away from me, but be social because we need to flatten the curve.

How many times do we need to be reminded of flattening that curve?

A million times and ten times over until we do just that.

However, the words social and distancing are interesting because they are in direct opposition of each other.  Can you be social and be distant at the same time? 

The word social means gathering or a group or community getting together.  The word distance refers a numerical measurement of how far apart things are.  In 2020 amid this Covid -19 pandemic, we have to keep our distance from loved ones, friends, colleagues and fellow citizens. Social distancing is very important to help stop the spread of the virus.  Being face to face breathing in the air from someone who may have come into contact with someone with Covid-19 or who may have it and not yet realise it, is dangerous and contributes to the spread of the virus.

“It is a public health practise that aims to prevent sick people from coming in close contact with healthy people in order to reduce opportunities for disease transmission” hub.jhu.edu Katie Pearce What is social distancing and how can it slow the spread of Covid- 19

Keeping apart isn’t forever.  We have the hope that this thing can be reduced.  And the sooner we adhere to the advise of public health, the quicker we can get out and enjoy our lives again.  But for now, better to be six feet apart then six feet under. 

And the Lord, he it is that goes before you; he will be with you, he will not fail you, neither forsake you, fear not neither be dismayed.  Deuteronomy chapter 31 verse 8. ( paraphrased from the King James Version)

Moving Forward – a new day is coming

A new decade makes a new start. Every day is different and can be unique. Or so we can hope. Some people may hate the idea of going into a new year or even a new day when they have to face many adversities. When tragedy strikes and there is no where to turn, it is hard to see the new year as something bright and blessed. It becomes another day.

Last year was very trying for us. Who is us? My family consists of my sisters, my little puppy and me. Two of my sisters are married and have households with husbands and grown children making them family units of their own. But my household is where I live of course, and where I am loved. The old saying by Roman author and philosopher, Pliny the Elder ( AD. 23-79) Home is where the heart is”– can never be truer for me. The idea of “home”, a place of safety, a place where I can find love and protection is always where I want to be. Home for one person may not be a place, “actual point in space or a position” as written in the English dictionary, but it could be one person or a group of people. It is more than just a noun, a person, place or thing but can also be a state of being. A state of being free, relaxed and loved.

Who is us? For me us is my loved ones, those individuals who want me around without question and those who can judge me, correct me and make me feel like I am important. They are my family and with them comes a home where my heart is.

What happens if there is no one or no place to go for safety and security, a home where there is always criticism and censure. A place where there is no safety. Or just plainly put, a home where there is nothing or not enough?

There is One who will be your everything, a “home” at all times. God can be that “home”, the place of safety and love.

In the Bible it reads:

And you shall seek me (God), and find me (God), when you shall search for me (God) with all your heart. – Jeremiah 29:13

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. – Matt 7:7

This is a new decade and a new day and a fresh start. Put God first everyday and in everything you do.

I have my “home” with my family and I am blessed to have an eternal “home” in Christ Jesus because He is my rock, my shield and my help. He gave me this family and I can thank Him everyday. He daily loads me with benefits (blessings) that I can never say enough because I have made Him Lord of my life.

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits – psalm 68:19