This is a blog that hurts me to write but I want to share my thoughts, my feelings and my opinions.
I have been pretty upset lately at how less than 1% of Canada’s population is holding the rest of us hostage in our own country. They call it the Freedom movement, but the only ones free are those who spew their rhetoric. They want all mandates for anything concerning Covid 19 mandates to cease. Many have lost their jobs after being given many opportunities to get the vaccine. Their companies have mandated that this is part of their policies. Their companies were thinking about the greater good and keeping their company members safe from this terrible disease. Yet their focus is on our Prime Minister who has done so much to help his fellow citizens. Most of his family has had covid, but because of the vaccines they only had the milder version.
I have watched many reputable television shows which show Covid long haulers who have suffered for well over a year now trying to get some semblance of their lives back due to side effects from this illness. Covid 19 has crippled them in their bodies and minds. So many people have died, especially the elderly in Canada. The worst part was that they often died alone. I am glad that my parents are not around to see what was happening in this country.
The worst part of all this is that other countries are following suit and seem to take it as their right to come to Canada and wave their Trump and Swastika flags. They sent money to support the Freedom cause which thankfully has been stopped. They want nothing but to disrupt a rightful democracy that has been voted in by the people. The worst part is showing no respect to the rest of the country who has hunkered down for the last two years.
As I said in a recent blog on my personal Facebook page: I do not care if you do or do not get the vaccine. That is your choice. Your choice comes with consequences, some of which have been to lose your jobs, not be able to fly in or out of the country. This is not just Canada’s rules but is all over the world. No vaccines….no entry. Choices!! As a child, I had to get various vaccines or I would not be able to go to school. Have you ever looked at graveyards prior to vaccines? So many little ones died before they were five years old because of nasty viruses. I was happy when the vaccine came out for measles, which I took because it meant that my children would not be born deaf. I didn’t know what was in that vaccine but since I am in my 70’s I guess it didn’t harm or kill me! Online you can find out every ingredient of these various vaccines. This is more than I knew about the shots I took as a child.
These protestors not only hold our land borders and capital city hostage but bring their children to these events. They have been going to schools as well to blockade and try to push their ideas on children….not their children….but ours. This infuriates me. That is not their right to do so. Obviously, they can teach their own children that it is o.k. to block the capital, party in the streets with bouncy castles and hot tubs and desecrate the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier who died for their country so they truly could have freedom. Not the freedoms their parents are putting forth.
My Grandchildren have all had their vaccinations because they do not want to be sick. They want to see their friends at school again and to visit with their Grandparents. They did not see us for a long time because they did not want us to get ill and possibly die. If children under 10 can grasp these ideas why cannot some adults?
Yes, over two years is a long time for all of us. It has been hard. At one point I hadn’t seen my Grandchildren for 26 months! That is a lifetime of growing up that I have missed and will never get back. I did it for them. I did it for my friends and neighbours and fellow members of my communities. I did it for my Wellspring community who already have had cancers. I have learned to live with Zoom and at least be able to see my Toastmasters and yoga groups. It is called respect for others.
As a nurse, I have always had compassion for others no matter who they were or where they came from, or their circumstances. Nurses and most of the medical profession still do. The disrespect I have witnessed lately for them is unconscionable. They will try to save your life no matter what your choices have been re Covid 19. So many of my fellow nursing professionals are so burnt out they have quit. Years of experience are disappearing as they have not had any breaks from this pandemic! They have isolated themselves from their own families in order to protect them. Every chance I get I thank them for their unwavering service. I am grateful for them. They totally have my respect.
Valentine’s Day is today. Please remember to tell those you love how important they are to you. Hug those you can and connect in the safest way possible.
No pictures this time. Sorry but these happenings have made me so sad with many emotions coming through. I cry for my Canada and her subjects and the current state of affairs.
Stay well and keep safe.
Sue