Keep Calm and Wash Your Hands
By Glen Lamont
Thursday, March 19, 2020
In the midst of the Covid19 pandemic and loads of people self isolating or being quarantined after testing positive for the virus, I’d like to take a few minutes to share some thoughts on everything that’s happening here in Vancouver BC, Canada. As a front line worker in addictions and mental health we are considered an essential service and therefore are required to continue providing services no matter what, as are so many others. Besides us there are doctors, nurses, hospital porters, first responders like police and fire, fast food workers, grocery store staff ( who also have to put up with the insanity of people hoarding food), bus drivers, taxi drivers and live-in residential workers. There really are too many too mention here, but you know who you are and you should also know how much we appreciate you guys suiting up and showing up every damn day.
So far we have seen things go from relative calm to full on panic in just a couple of days. I think folks really started to take things seriously when they announced closing the borders, bars, restaurants and extending spring break for K-12 and University until further notice.This really is a time to reflect. Because we live in a wealthy nation and have access to so much and at any time of the day or night that we so desire it, we are leading a pretty privileged life and for some this is a real shock to the system. For others, who already live in poverty, things just got a whole lot worse and as usual, they are the ones who suffer first and the most.
If you are lucky enough to be able to work from home, or work for a company that will pay you or maybe you even have a ton of sick time and holidays saved up, use your time wisely. Don’t panic, spend this time with your loved ones if that’s possible. Be grateful for everything you have and not complain about what you can and cannot do in this time of uncertainty. The one certainty is that human beings are pretty damn resilient. We are also quite clever and capable. We’re very good at fixing problems of our own creation. We will get through this if we take the time to really consider what our priorities are. What really matters? Take this opportunity to reconnect with folks. Hell maybe even get to know your neighbour. Check in on people, see if they are okay and do they have everything they need.
Read, go for walks, listen to music, catch up on Netflix. If you can help others, do that. Set up some fun live stream activities for you and your friends and family. I am not making light of the situation by any stretch of the imagination. The reason I say all this is because the population I work with does not have those opportunities. As I said earlier, thing were crappy for them to begin with and they just got a whole lot crappier.
What I am hoping for is that people are going to appreciate life a whole lot more when things get back to normal. Perhaps the economic bail out package that the government has rolled out during this emergency will make them realize just how vulnerable the general population is on any given day and that most people in this very wealthy nation of ours are just a couple of thousand dollars away from being on the street. Maybe they will spend a lot less on war and a lot more on housing, education and health care. I just really and truly hope that through this hardship lessons are learned and wrongs made right. We might just end up with a bit more of an even playing field for everyone.
I hope we will all see how precious life is and how politics, money and power are pretty useless when it comes to something like this. Cooperation, kindness, generosity are the things that will have the greatest impact. We have already seen tremendous acts of courage and kindness. There are people going shopping for others who can’t. There are restaurants donating all their stock to non profits in order to feed folks in need. I never thought I’d be the one to say this but so far I am seeing more positives then negatives. Let’s face it folks we do well under pressure. I spoke to a youth today who’s only concern is staying clean. They have 16 days clean and sober and they just want to make it through tomorrow. I think we can all learn a lot from the Recovery community in times like this. A.A.’s motto is “One Day at a Time”. That seems pretty damn appopriate right now.
