Pandemic raises many questions
What do we actually want to keep from this period in history, and what are we ready to leave behind?
Our resilience has been tested. It’s time to reset.
It will never be the same. That much we know.
The Spring of 2020 feels like a lifetime for many. In this time, we have begun to see each other – and ourselves – differently.
Some of what we have seen has hurt. And some of what we are learning and seeing gives us cause for optimism. It has exposed the challenges of people living paycheque to paycheque, and customer to customer. It has also reminded us of our compassion and resilience, and how we can come together when we need to.
In this time of uncertainty, new conversations are cropping up about what matters most in life. What do we actually want to keep from this period in history, and what are we ready to leave behind? As we stare at the future, what’s the opportunity for change?
Can we imagine a more fulfilling life? Will we want more time with friends and family? Will we get to the things we’ve always wanted to do? Will time in nature get prioritized?
Apart from what we want for ourselves, can we ask for something better for members of our community – like less racial discrimination, more flexible work hours, greater food security, and meaningful support for vulnerable families and individuals?
Well before COVID-19 our organization asked Nova Scotians how, on a scale of 1-10, they think we should measure success. Sixty-eight per cent said “By growing the economy”, and 81 per cent said “By improving our quality of life.” What does that tell us?
Both are critically important, especially now, and warrant relentless attention. In the choices we make about getting people back to work and rethinking public policies, we have the ability to ensure fewer people fall between the cracks; more people live out their dreams; and future generations enjoy a cleaner and more sustainable environment.
For our part, in coordination with the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), many community organizations, and nine Local Leadership Teams, Engage Nova Scotia conducted a quality of life survey last year. 12,800 Nova Scotians responded, producing the largest results of its kind in North America.
In 230 questions Nova Scotians shared their experiences on everything from access to internet service and recreation facilities; to self-reported perceptions of mental health and addictions. The breakdown of results for 10 regions of the province can be found at https://engagenovascotia.ca/about-qol
This sets a unique foundation for a “many years - many sectors” process for making choices that better reflect what matters most to us as Nova Scotians.
We will next use the results to examine what’s driving “life satisfaction.” We know, for example, that statistically life satisfaction is higher in Nova Scotia than in larger provinces. We also recognize that the gap between those experiencing high life satisfaction and low life satisfaction is greater than any province, except for one. Understanding people’s experiences underneath these findings will shine a light on our important advantages, and unseen challenges.
In a wider context, amongst advanced economies, those jurisdictions with the strongest social safety nets, and less inequality, are generally the ones where overall life satisfaction is highest.
This time is reminding us just how much we depend on each other, regardless of our socioeconomic status. As we collectively ask, “Where to from here”, can we harness the power of our recent learnings to ensure a reimagined Nova Scotia involves and includes all demographics, sectors and regions of our remarkable corner of the world?
As we link arms in rebuilding, and again demonstrate what we are made of, we encourage you to speak publicly and privately about what matters most to you and join initiatives that best reflect what you want to see in our future.
Our resilience has been tested. It’s time to reset. As we do, let’s resist the temptation to “snap back” to everything that used to be normal, and rebuild a province where fewer people are left behind, more hopes are realized, and the choices we make consistently reflect what we deeply believe.
Dr Gaynor Watson-creed is a public health physician and board chair for Engage Nova Scotia. Danny Graham is the chief engagement officer for Engage Nova Scotia.