It’s time to take every precaution you can
This is no longer about me or you. It’s about us. Thousands could die
In light of an increasingly serious announcement that the World Health Organization has categorized COVID-19 as a pandemic, certain things don’t cease to amaze me. There are a few basic things that we can all do to protect ourselves — hoarding toilet paper isn’t one of them — and they don’t come as a terrible surprise. I don’t mean to brag, but I was washing my hands with soap and using hand sanitizer well before it was trendy.
Jokes aside, I know it can be difficult to abandon travel plans that we’ve already paid for or walk away from luxury trips and cruises. Just saying the latter makes me want to hide under a blanket for two weeks. I’m not trying to make light of an awful situation. I am trying to shed light on the ridiculous nature of people complaining about how inconvenienced they are by the coronavirus. Do you know what’s more inconvenient? Potentially thousands of people dying.
What’s astounding is the number of people posting to Facebook groups asking people to weigh in on whether they should go on their planned vacation. It infuriates me, and it also should infuriate anyone who cares about the well-being of society. This is no longer about me or you. It’s about us. When we decide to go ahead with our plans despite global health advisories because our family is pretty healthy and we don’t want to lose our money, we are risking the impact our actions could have on all of society.
My family did not happen to go away for March break, but most of my children’s friends’ families did — to tropical destinations. As we sit here in the two weeks before symptoms may reveal themselves, I am trying to be as prepared as I can be — mentally, physically and emotionally — in case that it turns out someone brought the virus back from their travels.
I am taking every precaution I can. Partially because of the well-being of society, but largely because my own father’s health is compromised and the last thing I want is for him to catch COVID -19 in his current state. But you do not have to have a sick parent to take coronavirus seriously; you need to have a heart.
The NBA was able to do what many were not in a single night. When one player was infected, and that player had played against competing teams, the health and safety of the entire organization were at risk, so the season was suspended. All the naysayers and it’s-justanother-flu-sayers quickly started lamenting about how unprepared they felt.
As the situation intensifies day by day, and even moment by moment, it is imperative that our understanding of it and our reaction to it keep pace. Premier François Legault announced Thursday that all gatherings of over 250 should be cancelled, and later in the day, the NHL suspended the season. As much of a Habs fan as I am, I am fine with them joining the NBA, MLS and other professional organizations in putting the safety of players and fans first.
Our neighbours to the south are banning visitors from Europe (minus the United Kingdom) for the next 30 days effective Friday at midnight. Will travellers from Europe now try to enter the U.S. through Canada? Are we now expected to examine and screen travellers who may be trying to get around this U.S. travel ban, and won’t this increase the risk of spreading COVID -19 here at home?
The time to react is now. The time to sit back and criticize has gone. So please wash your hands with soap — and do so often — stay home if you’re sick and get ready to stay put. Do it as if your life depended on it.
Are we now expected to examine and screen travellers who may be trying to get around this U.S. travel ban?