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Just remember, COVID isn't taking summer holidays

With large portions of Ontario reopening, Wendy wonders in 'Everything King' if is it too soon, too late, or just in time?
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Well, now what?

I spent weeks worried about how the COVID-19 isolation lockdown was going to work and now I’m worried about reopening.

I guess that's human nature.

I don’t want to stay home, but I don’t want to go out.

In talking with many, many people, I think everyone is dealing with the same issue, but handling it in very different ways.

There are people ready to jump head-first back in to life. 

Others refuse to see anyone except immediate family until there is a vaccine. 

Then, there’s the rest of us who are somewhere in the middle.

As we enter into this new week, things will really start opening up again in increments. This really concerns me.

I am sort of sticking my big toe in the water to see if I get scalded.

I did finally did the seasonal tire change (no snow in June, right?) and it was handled with no contact. It was a lot of calls, a key drop box, and credit-card payment. So, that gave me no angst.

I have also booked a most essential haircut. I don’t know yet how that will go or feel, but I’ll report back.

Based on priorities, I guess we all make decisions for ourselves on what we are willing to do.

When I hear the various phases of reopening, I find myself thinking I would never feel safe doing this or that while in other cases I am ready to try it again.

Would I be sending children back to daycare? Not if I could help it. To be honest, what is more germy than a little kid? They are made for dirt and mess and for touching and feeling and tasting. 

How are you possibly going to keep the toys, furniture and surfaces clean enough often enough? How can you keep a toddler from hugging or kissing? I understand the centres have to open, but I just wonder if it's too soon.

I’m glad school is out for summer (almost) so we can have a couple months to figure out how to resuscitate the poor remote learning teacher/parents.

People seem desperate to go swimming. A public pool? That just sounds like a cesspool of danger. To be honest, I wouldn’t go to one in a non-pandemic, but still…

I am not in any way a germaphobe, but I don’t want to ask for trouble, either.

On the flip side, I would go back to eating in a restaurant if tables were set apart and the staff was observing public health measures, such as masks, gloves, etc.

I watched with both pride and fear Barrie’s peaceful “Black Lives Matter” protests in recent days. I was torn between wanting to join in and show support and that nagging little voice in my head saying 'I think they are too close. Are the masks enough? I don’t think this is a good idea at this time.'

This is a tough one. Social conscience over personal concern. 

To be completely honest, I am worried that in about another week or so we will start hearing that Simcoe-Muskoka COVID cases are going to spike. Not just locally, of course, but worldwide, as so many millions marched together for justice and fairness for all prompted by the death of George Floyd.

What happens if the numbers go back up?

Will the province clamp down on all of us again and send us back into isolation?

Will people obey it this time or do people have COVID fatigue?

Are we just going to roll the dice and hope we don’t get infected or infect others?

This must be the quandary all of our leaders are wrestling with daily. People need to work. People need normalcy. People need to socialize. People also need to stay alive.

My other concern is about how long we continue to practise the safety procedures? How long will every business follow every single protocol? For a few weeks, for sure, we will all be doing things to the letter. 

However, week after week, will every service person ask all the questions every single time? Some will, but I’m going to hazard a guess that, over time, we will slide back into old habits.

The concern now is the second wave.

I personally don’t think the first wave is over.

Nothing has really changed since the virus made its ugly debut, has it?

It hasn’t gone anywhere.

COVID is not taking summer holidays.

These are just some of the thoughts that keep me up at night. I assume you may share some the same concerns.

For now, it is all just wait and see.

Timing is everything!


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About the Author: Wendy King

Wendy King writes about all kinds of things from nutrition to the job search from cats to clowns — anything and everything — from the ridiculous to the sublime. Watch for Wendy's column weekly.
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