We've been in Canada since February 21st and so much in our own lives and those around the world has changed in the last two months. We've moved into Wave #3 with the new Covid variants and all of us can't wait for it to disappear. Unfortunately, until it does, most of us across the world are trying to live within even more government restrictions. 

Brent and I returned to Canada on February 21, 2021 and went into a 14 day quarantine in a hotel of our choosing as mandated by our national government. We flew in from Costa Rica one day before our Federal government imposed all travellers flying into Canada complete their mandatory 14 day quarantine in a government approved hotel at the cost of the traveller. We purposefully came home early to avoid this trap knowing that it would be a nightmare; and we were right. There are all kinds of horror stories from the people who have had to stay in them. Listen, I'm not an alarmist and I usually take everything with a grain of salt, but lets just say, I'm so glad we took control of our situation. 

During our stay, we had a phone call on the second day and two, not one, visits from "Compliance Officers" to make sure we were abiding by all the regulations. After completing our quarantine, we drove back to Ontario trying to figure out all the restrictions in the provinces as we went through them.  It seemed that Manitoba had the strictest travel policies asking all travellers passing through to only stop if necessary. To be honest, I still don't know if we followed the very vague instructions. We did wear masks, social distanced and ordered pick up for dinner. Knowing that we were staying with both set of parents who are in their late 70s and early 80s, we weren't going to do anything to jeopardize their health, nor ours. 

Ontario had the strictest restrictions throughout Canada and still does because they just can't control the numbers. Just today, we had 4,447 cases, 19 deaths, 2, 200 hospitalizations and 755 in ICU. In addition, Ontario has given out 3, 904, 778 vaccine doses with 346,005 people receiving both doses. Ontario has approximately 14, 734, 014. 

Overall, Ontario is in a bit of trouble. Cases keep going up especially in urban, marginalized areas. Not enough people are getting the vaccine. The vaccine rollout has been very confusing and has not really addressed the needs of those frontline workers efficiently including those working in factories and warehouses, medical personal, truck drivers moving our goods across Canada, and anyone working in education, just to name a few. Today, the media reported a top advisor is considering quitting after Premier Doug Ford imposed more restrictions including giving the police authority to randomly stop anyone on the streets or in cars to see if they are following all the rules. Also, he has set up border checkpoints at the Manitoba and Quebec borders allowing people to cross only for essential reasons like work or moving goods. Apparently, going to the cottage is not essential. 

I'm not going to pretend to be an expert in any of this, but I do know many things should have happened differently along the way that could have prevented the situation we find ourselves in today. I also know that our current situation and government controls in both Ontario and British Columbia are a bit creepy. Both provinces have tried to give the police more power to do random checks on citizens, although Doug Ford withdrew this course of action after a backlash from many concerned groups, including the Police Associations. BC Premier John Horgan plans on putting similar restrictions in place starting next Monday. BC residents have to stay in their own local health region until after May long weekend. That includes no booking camping or accommodations outside one's own region. Although this is being done through a voluntary basis in the tourism industry, Horgan has no problem introducing a government order if necessary. 

I say all of this government control is a bit "creepy" as it is widely similar to the government controls described in the book I'm reading about the German invasion of Paris during WWII. Please don't think I'm comparing the two - I'm not - but it's a slippery slope. In December, I was standing in line at the Post Office in Kelowna and I was listening to the elderly couple  in front of me complaining about having to wear masks. They were vehemently opposed to this mandatory measure stating that it was very reminiscent of activities engaged in by communist regimes. At the time, I thought this was a bit dramatic and I kept thinking that I was wearing my mask to protect elderly people like them from actually contracting the virus. 

I remember returning home and discussing this with Brent saying things like "old people really do get to say what they want" and "I wonder if we will talk this directly when we get to that age". Well, little did I know, that 5 months later, the government controls would be even more restrictive and invasive.   I should have been more respectful of my elders and listened to what they had to say. Once again, I remind myself not to be so dismissive and continue to learn from those with different experiences than mine. I believe there is a sense of urgency to do this more than ever. For those of you who know me, know that I'm a pretty tolerant person, but not a pushover. It is important to speak the truth when our rights are being invaded and to take action against government controls that just don't seem right, especially those that will directly or indirectly impact the lives of the most marginalized groups in our country.  

Happy Earth Day everyone!