Editorial – It’s A Beautiful World – Pandemic Or Not

Have you ever heard someone say “I had a thought”

Well here is a thought – let’s all be grateful for what we have.

These certainly are brutal times. There isn’t one person who hasn’t be effected by it.

COVID has ranged from a minor inconvenience to a death sentence for those who have tested positive.

It’s literally changed everything in this world – everything.

People have been ordered to stay home while Ontario is in another lockdown.

Family or friends can’t visit each other. It’s affected each and every one of us in some way. Physically or mentally.

There is just no escaping it.

So realize it and do the best you can to accept it.

Northumberland County is doing their part, for the most part people are following the advice of science, health care and provincial directives.

We may not like it – but we are in it together.

Northumberland County has recognized a decrease in confirmed COVID Cases of a 118 on April 19, 2021 to today 32 active cases. This is something we all worked hard to achieve.

Again, “we are all in this together”

Media puts their spin on the pandemic, sometimes not so positive.

We are getting there. Slowly but surely.

Depending on what or who you believe everyone is throwing the blame somewhere.

Politicians aren’t doing enough or should have done it sooner.

It’s so easy to throw stones at our municipal, provincial or federal leaders but remember we voted them in.

But again “we are all in this together.”

We are becoming a society of blaming everyone else.

But really, when it comes down to it, there is only COVID to blame.

COVID is turning us against each other.

Everything else is a reaction.

This is a new world.

But let’s start to try and look at the positive.

Times are tough. No – times are brutal.

This is something that has never happened before in modern history.

But the sun will (hopefully) shine.

So let’s “adapt” to the new ways instead of “attack.” Let’s all take a deep breath and realize what we have.

Find that “smile in your day” or that “breath of fresh air.”

Let’s challenge ourselves to look for something positive and share it with others..

Realize the emergency responders and health care workers are doing their best for us.

And as much as I admire and respect them, let’s admire the everyday people in our world. The bakers, delivery drivers, taxi drivers, grocery store workers, people who work in restaurants and retail.

For emergency workers as much as they never dreamed of being social workers this is what society has become even before COVID. But for others they would have never thought they’d have to remind a person to put on their mask properly, have customers wait in lines, wipe down the belt between customers, let alone deal with a irate customer who feels that it is their God given right to go against the system “just because.”

I’m an asthmatic. Have been since I was under 10-years-old. Have always had a ventolin inhaler. But I still wear a mask. And try my best to follow the new “norm.”

Frankly and honestly I don’t know what to believe. But I chose to go along with what the government says at this point.

Why?

Because we are all in this together.

Let’s all realize what we have. It’s a beautiful world – pandemic or not.

We make our own happiness. You can’t see the rainbow unless it rains.

Lately I’ve found taking nature photos brings myself a sense of peace. Swans, beavers, muskrats, goslings – it’s great to see new life begin. When the sun is out, its so beautiful to watch the evening sunset.

Life is good.

We are all different. We have different views. That’s ok. In fact I’m thankful we all have that.

Let’s all look ahead. Hopefully the worst is behind us and there are brighter days ahead.

Find something that makes you smile and maybe that will be contagious.

“We are all in this together.”