Compassion and determination required in 2021

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It’s crazy to think this time last year, there was not one case of COVID-19 in Canada and much of the world had no idea what impacts were ahead because of the virus.

As of writing this column, Canada’s COVID-19 death toll surpassed 15,000, and the nation’s total COVID-19 case count stood at 550,000-plus with more than 80,196 of those considered active. As the province provided five days of data over the holiday break on Monday afternoon, Alberta had 15,487 active cases, with 878 people in hospital and 148 in intensive care units. Another 112 people died over the span of Dec.23-Dec.27, bringing the number of Albertans who have died from the virus to 1,002.

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According to Dec. 22 data, one more death was reported in Sherwood Park, bringing the number of people who died from the virus to 14 in Strathcona County. There were 315 active COVID-19 cases in the county, with 237 of those located in the Park and 78 in the rural area. As of Monday, Dec. 28, one additional death was reported by AHS over the holiday break in Sherwood Park, which increased the local death toll to 15 residents. On a positive note, local case numbers dropped in the past week with a total of 246 active cases (as of Dec.28); 188 in Sherwood Park and 58 in the rural county.

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2020 was exhausting for so many reasons and I know we’re all happy to see it come to an end. COVID-19 has every aspect of our lives over the past nine months.

However, the year ended on a ray of hope: Health Canada approved the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Modern COVID-19 vaccines, which have seen thousands of health-care workers vaccinated within the past few weeks.

2020 heightened awareness on issues that truly matter; properly supporting the health-care system, long-term care facilities, and education, having efficient and fast-responding policies from all levels of government to help the most vulnerable and those out of work, government budgets taking a backseat when lives are on the line and social supports are needed, and residents stepping up to support one another in times of crisis.

The year 2020 was one dumpster fire after another, as the tidal wave of bad news seemed to never end. But strangely enough, it wasn’t all bad. Writing this Year In Review edition reminded me of all of the good things that actually happened this year — the bright spots that kept us going when the world seemed incredibly unpredictable and dark.

Some of those moments for me as an editor included everyday residents signing up to be volunteers to help other residents in isolation through Volunteer Strathcona’s COVID-19 Project, the chalk art and painted rocks that popped up along driveways and neighbourhood pathways to encourage one another to keep going, the thank-you parade organized to thank first responders and health-care workers at the beginning of the pandemic, Strathcona County Emergency Services members delivering a baby along the side of the Yellowhead Highway, the local RCMP singing O’Canada to seniors living in local long-term care facilities on Canada Day, numerous outdoor concerts performed by various groups to lift spirits in residential neighbourhoods and at senior facilities, and the Strathcona Christmas Bureau being overwhelmed by support after they increased their budget to $120,000 to help almost 1,400 residents.

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I always knew Strathcona County had a big heart, but it seemed to beat even louder in 2020.

Over the next few weeks during the province’s second shut down, we need to continue to play our part to help reduce the spread of the virus and flatten that curve. We did it in early spring in Strathcona County and I know we can do it again. I know there is major COVID-19 fatigue, but this virus does not care about your emotions or holiday plans; all it cares about is multiplying and throughout the fall, it was doing a good job in large part because of social gatherings and major holiday breaks. We need to refocus, put the public good before our own wants, and do better.

At the very least, abide by provincial health restrictions out of respect for the businesses that have been forced to shut down again, the health-care professionals who are working around the clock to save lives, and for loved ones who are finding the holidays harder after the passing of more than 1,000 Albertans due to the virus.

Think of the business owners and workers at local hair and nail salons, gyms and fitness studios, concert venues, movie theatres, art galleries, to name a few, as well as those who are laid off. Think of the business owners who have lost thousands in revenue from the first shut down in the spring, who have invested time and money into making their establishments safe for customers, but who are barely holding on right now.

Think about the nurses and doctors who are already burned out but continue to press forward to care for COVID-19 patients. Think about the residents living in senior facilities who want to hug their families instead of waving to them through a window or speak to them over Zoom. Think about the families and friends of 1,002 Albertans who have died from the virus.

2021 will also be a challenging year as we must wait for the rollout of vaccines for the general public worldwide, but we must continue to support one another. The pandemic has reminded us to be compassionate and respect one another. Please remember to physical distance, wear a mask, practice good hand hygiene, and reach out when you need help. That’s the only way we’ll get through this.

lmorey@postmedia.com

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