I had the strangest experience over the long weekend. I went to a hockey tournament in Richmond to watch a couple of the goalies I coach.
Weird.
Not only was there a tournament being played, but there were parents in the arena watching! Can you believe that? Parents watching their kids play hockey? In Canada? Wow.
Not long ago, that would seem like an odd statement, but for the past 18 months, parents have rarely been allowed to watch their kids play. I’ve seen them on the ice when parents weren’t allowed into the rink, but for Thanksgiving, that changed. There’s something to be thankful for.
As more of us are vaccinated, the world around us opens up a little more every day. COVID is still a big problem, especially for those not vaccinated, but we can’t be locked up any longer, it’s not a sustainable situation.
The next big thing is the land crossings with the U.S. Looks like that’s happening soon. Then we’ll know the world is right again.
I can only imagine the line-up at the Point Roberts border crossing. I don’t even think my Nexus card will help, but I don’t care. While I’m happy those folks can cross the border north, it will make a world of difference for us to be able to cross south.
It seems that there are few breakthrough cases, and those that appear are mild, as long as you don’t pass it to someone not protected. COVID will be with us for a long time, but if you’ve done what’s been asked and received your shots, it’s time to let us have our lives back.
I’ll wear my mask. I’ll produce my vaccination record. I’ve done my part, like so many others have. Some will say it creates a two-tiered society, where some have freedoms and others don’t. I find that an odd argument, because we already have a two-tiered society.
You need a passport to travel. You need vaccinations to be allowed into some countries already. You have choices, and if you choose not to meet the requirements, you choose to stay home. Freedom is about having a choice, not about doing anything you want. It’s not governments who are restricting you, it a virus that’s trying to kill you that is.
And now the land border will open in November! It’s about time, but I guess we should just be thankful. Stadiums are full, concerts are being held - the crowds are huge. It’s not like a bunch of vaccinated Canadians are going to cause any trouble.
Unless the Canadian dollar weakens. That’ll keep us home.
Brad Sherwin, MBA is a long-time resident of South Delta, and has over 30 years’ experience in marketing, public relations and business strategy. He teaches at BCIT, coaches’ hockey goalies and is Past President of Deltassist.
