Over the past week, we’ve been concerned by the images of protestors emerging from the United States. It has been troubling to see pictures and video of Americans flagrantly defying stay-at-home orders imposed in their states.
While these protestors are the minority, and the same types of protests have not yet begun in Canada, we know that for better or worse, Canadians often follow the lead of our neighbours to the south. Our reporters have already seen grumblings on their social media timelines.
We acknowledge social distancing and self-isolation measures are becoming tiresome. We feel that too. We also want to spend time with our friends and family, return to our newsroom, go out to movies and restaurants and see some sense of normalcy resume.
And we also have a degree of fear about the long-term financial implications of this pandemic. We live here and work here, and want to see Airdrie, Alberta and Canada succeed.
But, what we fear above all else, is that the exasperation everyone is feeling will lead to rash decisions that, in the long run, set everybody further back.
On April 21, Dr. Deena Hinshaw warned that a potential “tidal wave” of COVID-19 could still hit if health guidelines are lifted prematurely, adding that hasn't been the case because Albertans joined together to form a barrier to prevent the “full force of this wave from striking.”
Now is the time to listen to experts like Dr. Hinshaw and others, and to heed their advice. It is of the utmost importance.
Airdrie will get through this pandemic. But it’s going to take a united front, and it's going to require continued sacrifice. It will also require a certain amount of trust – in public health officials, in government leaders and, yes, in the media.
So, we urge our readers to keep the faith, continue following the restrictions that are in place and, again, listen and trust the experts.
