The COVID-19 pandemic affects all of us in one way or another. The degree may vary—I see irritability and frustration, a longing for past routines and known rituals, accustomed schedules were shaken, and daily lives in a state of flux. Others experience true loss as loved ones succumb to complications of the virus, businesses pivot or close, and livelihoods are drastically altered.
I do wish for my old pre-pandemic life to return or what is to become the new normal. I miss moving easily through the world, giving hugs at the drop of a hat, and gathering with family or friends for all types of occasions and celebrations.
I am patiently and eagerly waiting for those days to return.
In the meantime I am pondering these thoughts as I go about my Winter CIty life in Edmonton, Canada in February 2022 (nearly 2 years after Covid started impacting Canada in March 2020).
I am not a scientist, medical doctor, nurse, or health care provider. I believe Covid-19 to be a real and true event in our world. It is my wish not to live in fear of the virus while at the same time keeping people mentally and physically safe.
No matter where you lie on the spectrum … a full supporter of the vaccine, someone who has chosen to be vaccinated because of an underlying health concern, if your job mandated it, someone who is vaccination hesitant, or those who believe Covid-19 is a hoax. Living in Canada we may never reach a consensus on how to live and manage Covid-19.
Do we have to?
And are we meant to?
Take any controversial topic, for instance, an unplanned pregnancy. At the moment, there are three legal avenues in Canada to assist with an unplanned pregnancy:
1. Abortion.
2. Keeping the baby with the natural birth parent(s).
3. Putting the baby up for adoption.
Like any controversial topic – will there ever be a consensus when it comes to this virus? Reaching a consensus about how to deal with Covid-19 is not my concern. I am more concerned about how we treat others who hold a perspective different from our own.
This pandemic revealed to me how general respect and compassion are missing in our daily North American life; in our actions and in our words; by how we interact with others and treat people. How do we respect or disrespect responsibility?
Over the course of the pandemic, I witnessed how pitted and divided we came in regard to being vaccinated or not. I overheard people who were vaccinated say they were happy to hear if someone got sick because they chose not to get vaccinated – almost saying “it serves you right to get sick”.
Since I chose to stay unvaccinated, at times I felt I had a shame sign hung around my neck or the infamous scarlet letter pinned to my chest. In this instance, shame is used as a technique and tactic to invisibly keep others in line and make one feel bad and wrong about their own personal health choices.
At online Zoom meetings when the topic was brought up, I kept my opinions very close to my chest as those around me spouted their pro-vaccine opinion (which I gently listened to). I know I’m going against popular belief; going against the status quo – but deep down, I know it is the right decision for my health and MY body.
Just because I choose to stay unvaccinated doesn’t mean I want the pandemic saga to continue. The popular belief is if you aren’t going to get vaccinated you are against trying to end the pandemic.
This isn’t me at all – I am just going about it a different way.
I find it is easier to just stay quiet, let others assume I am vaccinated, and not voice an opinion, as it just starts a feud and a spiral of “why aren’t you vaccinated?”….and preaching “you should get vaccinated”. I do not tell you what to do with your body – please do not tell me what to do with mine.
For those who don’t want to play their part, who show disrespect by not even trying to participate in ensuring others are safe by wearing a mask or keeping a safe distance; by protesting at hospitals where caregivers, nurses, and doctors are already overworked, stressed, I understand it is your right to protest – but choose to do that where decisions are made about health care, ie. with Government leaders and on the Government grounds.
Did we even try to extend ourselves beyond our own beliefs and try to respect each other’s thoughts?
I studied my health history, and the steps I take to condition my body through my fitness regime, diet, and yearly liver cleanse to boost my immune system. I do all these things to keep my body in top form and when assessing my situation didn’t believe it was necessary to be vaccinated.
I am not an anti-vaxxer and believe vaccines that have been properly tested for years help eradicate serious diseases like polio, measles, mumps, chickenpox, etc.
Without question, I adjust my actions. I know we are not in normal times. When visiting my parents indoors I pay for an antigen test to ensure I am not a carrier before a visit, knowing they are in a more vulnerable age category.
Living in Alberta I participate in the Restrictions Exceptions Program (I pay for an antigen test proving I am not a carrier of Covid-19) to enter a restaurant or attend an Oilers hockey game. I gave up my gym pass and yoga membership, as I cannot afford to pay for daily antigen tests to take in these wellness experiences. I resort to walking outdoors and set up my road bike on an indoor trainer to stay physically fit and assist with my mental health.
I am mindful of my actions to lessen my impact and keep those around me safe. I wear a mask at work and keep an appropriate distance from my co-workers. Our office is diligent about maintaining a clean office and sanitizing regularly. I want my co-workers to feel physically and mentally safe.
I purposely stay away from large gatherings like the Calgary Stampede, which took place this past summer; I make conscious choices and participate in activities that keep me outside in the fresh air.
I was not invited to Christmas Eve dinner by my immediate family because I chose not to be vaccinated. I am okay with this, as I respect the rules of those hosts.
Even the dating site I was on subjected me to updating my vaccine status, which I declined, and I was ghosted on the app once I revealed I was not vaccinated.
I’m sad to hear of families torn apart, with children caught in the middle, because one parent believes in the vaccine and the other does not. Couples have split because of differing views.
I started off as an observer and did eventually catch the virus. I caught COVID from a fully vaccinated co-worker and had flu symptoms for two days. My body did what it’s been trained to do and fought the virus off. I followed the rules set by Alberta Health Services and did my quarantined in my 600-square-foot apartment all alone. I did not end up in an emergency room or take up a valuable hospital ICU bed.
We may not agree with everyone’s decision and the famous slogan “we are in this together” is very true. Although, is there any way we can be more respectful and compassionate while in this together?