As I began to look for answers, it became painfully obvious to me that our federal government has seriously dropped the ball when it comes to acquiring and distributing COVID-19 vaccines to Canadians. Many other countries with higher populations have a higher percentage of their population vaccinated already. This allows them to open up quicker. How is it that in Canada, a mere 17 per cent of our population has received the first of two doses of vaccine? Despite the hundreds of billions of dollars spent on this health crisis, we are lagging and will continue to do so until well into the fall.
At this rate, many business owners have already resigned themselves to another year of steep losses. With Alberta going back into Phase 1 of its reopening plan this weekend, there is a feeling of helplessness among many. It’s amazing to see the resilience of business owners thus far, but how much further can people be financially challenged before being pushed into bankruptcy?
I envy the people of Texas and many other states that have managed to diligently work with their federal counterparts to ensure an adequate supply and an effective distribution of vaccines. Not just because they have already begun to enjoy large public events and are no longer isolated in their homes, but because they will also have the ability to financially bounce back faster from the devastating impact this pandemic has had economically. While our unemployment rates remain unsustainable, their workforce is returning, their businesses are generating revenue and their mental health distress numbers have dropped significantly.
There has been enough rhetoric from our leaders on what we the people have to do to combat this pandemic. I want government leaders to start telling us how they are going to bring this crisis to an end. I, like many others, am tired. I'm tired of excuses and of feeling like I have no control over who I see or what I can do.
To those business owners who are being decimated by a third shutdown or have a limited ability to generate income, I can only hope you have the strength to fight through this battle at least one more time. It’s unfair and most of us can only imagine the sacrifice and hardship you are going through. But if you can find a way to survive, I will say this – we, the people and your customers, will return.
I recently saw someone post a sentiment that I’m going to shamelessly repeat here. “When this is all over, we’re going to meet up, hug one another, shake hands, go for dinner in an actual restaurant and then maybe a concert or see a live game where we’ll sit in the stands with thousands of others cheering not only the players, but each other. That’s gonna be a real good day.”
