Last week, week 4, was Self Care Week. The previous two weeks I drove myself crazy with high expectations and a schedule of what I SHOULD be doing with every hour of the day. Last week I tried to let it go. I went out for a second walk most days in the late afternoon to enjoy more sunshine, fresh air, and slightly warmer temperatures. Judging by the amount of SIP people doing yard work, I think properties this summer will have never looked better.
For a little perspective for readers outside Canada, the country is large geographically but the entire population is around that of the state of California. Nova Scotia is the second smallest province (geographically) and has a population shy of one million. As of yesterday (04/13), we have 474 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Last week the province had its first death attributed to the virus.
Two things had me shaking my head by about week 3. One: the folk (including reporters) who persist in trying to find out WHERE the virus is to confirm it’s not in their town. For those waiting to get serious about the directives until it’s confirmed in their area, it will be self-fulfilling. Two: reported online shaming. Canadians have a reputation for being nice and Atlantic Canadians have a reputation for being the nicest of the nice. The local good news stories of people helping at this time certainly outweigh the negative, but I could not understand any of the instances of online bullying.
Then in week 3, I got pissed off. A button got pushed. Anger is not a common emotion for me. Contemplating it was my practice for a couple days. I quickly saw that the energy had manifested as anger but it was really fear. Fear of loss. Fear of suffering. Then I saw that the stuff I had been shaking my head about, of course, all comes down to fear too—at a time when we need to connect and support, even here in a small province fear can separate us into our smaller towns, communities, and households and make us afraid of other.
Last week, I picked up my second online order from the farmers market and was glad to get some greens (kale and spinach) along with all the root vegetables. We had snow on the weekend but it melted quickly. I’ve witnessed crocuses in bloom. That’s good news. And the premier, our provincial leader, endeared himself to many when he used an old timey local term during a press conference and told us to “Stay the Blazes Home.”
Shelter-In-Place Reminder: Believe in science and facts. Follow instructions from medical professionals. Communicate daily with family and friends. Take care.
References and related links:
- SIP: shelter in place.
- COVID-19 cases in Nova Scotia (SOURCE: Province of Nova Scotia)
- 2016 Census data for Nova Scotia and Canada (SOURCE: Statistics Canada).
- sip week 3 (post #136)
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