April 23, 2021
We have entered the next chapter in this struggle with the pandemic. It has now been 10 days since we received our Pfizer vaccine, or at least the first of two shots. Despite warnings of some mild symptoms, neither of us had anything other than a very mild sensitivity from the needle that night. Unfortunately, despite the needle, we are still warned to continue with the health protocols, including mask wearing in close public spaces, 6 foot distancing from others, not gathering indoors, etc. We are expecting to get the second shot in 4 months time after which our immunity should be over 90%, at least that's the current word. I have discovered that you can not anticipate anything for the future, as the medical officers keep changing directions as new information is learned. It's not their fault, but it is very frustrating, and leaves one reluctant to look forward to a date when things will get better, but rather taking a wait and see attitude. We have now entered a third wave, and while restrictions to gatherings, travel, dining out (no indoor dining allowed), etc. have been implemented until at least after the May long weekend, daily infections and hospitalizations continue to climb. Ontario is in the midst of a complete lockdown as numbers get out of hand in major centres. In BC, the latest measures include banning all travel outside of the local region, no recreational vehicles allowed on ferries, and today all flights from India and Pakistan have been halted. The rate of vaccinating the public seems to be slowing as supply countries like India delay vaccine orders because of critical needs at home. Our experience of getting the shot went very smooth, and we were in and out within 30 minutes, including the 15 minutes of rest time before you could leave. Some areas experience long line-ups that wind around the block. The sad thing is that the USA, which was so far behind because of President Donald Trump, is now far ahead of us in terms of doses applied. Their biggest problem may be the many Republican Trump supporters who refuse the vaccine. To get over this pandemic, all countries need to have a high level of vaccinated citizens, somewhere in excess of 65%.
We did enjoy a distanced visit with some friends recently, although as restrictions remain tight or get tighter, we are taking a more concerted effort to keep away from anyone outside of our family bubble even with almost all of us vaccinated. We were blessed with some very nice weather, (shorts weather for me!), which allowed us to gather by our vehicles in the church parking lot for the last two Sunday services. Still not quite the same, as you can not talk to anyone, and I am not going to sing a duet in my car! As April showers return, I think it will be back to the TV screen for us.
I think the most difficult thing is simply following health orders quite frankly. There are definitely inconsistencies in some of the orders and inconsistent messaging as well. Dr. Henry will say that there should be no indoor gatherings with anyone outside of your family or bubble group, but outdoor gatherings are far less risky. Then she says those outdoor gatherings should not include people outside the family group, although you may add a person to the group. If you do, that person should always be the same. You may not meet with one person one day, and then a different person another day. The idea of seeming to loosen things up and then showing that it really isn't any less restrictive really frustrates people. With more people our age vaccinated, and the fact that outdoor transmission, if distancing is applied, is not very risky, the need for such stringent rules seems excessive. It is hard to stick to the rules when so many find all sorts of ways of justifying why the things they want to do are OK, even when they are not. I have been guilty of the same thing, and every now and then need to re-commit to following the rules so that together we can reach better days. Those better days were believed to be mid July. As we progress, that is not at all certain.
Travel wise, our Africa trip has not been moved to August 2022 and we do have a week booked on Saturna Island again in July, as well as the family week in Blind Bay at the end of June. The lake should still be nice and icy then, and I will need a good book to read on the beach. We have still got a booking for a few weeks in Bonaire in January 2022, and we were to go to Aruba for a few days as well, but is January too soon? Who knows? We would like to plan some travel with the kids to celebrate our 45th anniversary this year, but can we really commit to another trip at this time? We can keep putting things off but eventually I will die, at least that's my plan for the future. For someone who likes to plan and organize, this is very difficult.
