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COVID isn’t over yet

Our lives have been turned upside down by this pandemic. We don’t want to adjust to a “new normal” because we liked the “old normal” just fine. It’s overwhelming, to consistently consider our actions and how they might impact the safety and health of others. But we must continue to do so.
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Pipestone Flyer Editor, Shaela Dansereau.

Our lives have been turned upside down by this pandemic. We don’t want to adjust to a “new normal” because we liked the “old normal” just fine. It’s overwhelming, to consistently consider our actions and how they might impact the safety and health of others. But we must continue to do so.

The province began Phase 2 of re-openings a week earlier than planned this June. This allowed for larger groups to gather, provided they practiced social distance protocols, for more businesses to reopen and for sports teams to reunite.

However, it is still important to remain vigilant. To remember to wash your hands thoroughly and repeatedly throughout the day, and not touch your face in public. It is okay to be excited to visit the zoo, or get your nails done, or to celebrate milestones like grad with close friends and family; but remember to be aware of the spread.

This virus spreads quickly and the lasting and long-term results, even with recovery, are still unknown. Some patients who have recovered from the virus are even reporting permanent scar tissue on their lungs from it, regardless of age or physicality. One person even received a lung transplant in the US recently because of the irreversible lung damage they faced from contracting COVID-19.

Let us not forget the hundred of thousands of people across the globe that have died from the virus, and the families grieving their loss.

It’s annoying and frustrating sometimes but wearing a mask in public can help prevent the spread considerably. It is just a grocery store run, or picking up lunch, but it helps protect others around you who may not be able to fight the virus as efficiently as you think your body can.

Women are going through hours of labour and giving birth while having to wear masks. If they can go through that, I think we can suck it up for our grocery trip or when going to the mall to summer clothes shop.

This week Edmonton area officially passed Calgary as Alberta’s COVID-19 epicentre, surpassing Calgary’s active case numbers.

If you take a moment to pause and think, there is likely a person you know or love who is immunocompromised or whose health could not handle catching this virus.

It is difficult but doable. Wash your hands, don’t touch your face, stay social distanced from others not in your household, wear a mask when shopping, and be considerate.

You don’t have to live your life in fear, but it is not fair if your easily preventable actions cause someone not to be able to live theirs anymore. With patience, compassion and logic, we can get through this; it just takes time. Rome wasn’t built in a day and COVID-19 won’t be cured in a day either.