We’ve become masters of the pivot.
As the pandemic rages on, so close to marking a full two years of staggered and what has become a roller-coaster of restrictions, omicron, an even more transmissible variant of COVID-19, emerges.
And so we’ve entered yet a new set of restrictions. With less than a week before Christmas, Ontario’s new COVID infections have exceeded 4,000 per day. Sunday reported the highest number of new cases in a single day since April 23.
Indoor gatherings are now restricted to 10 people and most activities are reduced to 50 per cent of their capacities.
Across the country events, concerts and public events have been cancelled as each province reacts to the latest reality.
The hope is that Ontario, as well as Canada, can avoid what other countries have already experienced with omicron dominating the number of COVID cases.
Across the pond, the United Kingdom reported a staggering 82,886 additional cases on Sunday. New restrictions are expected to soon be rolled out.
The Netherlands already announced a strict lockdown this weekend. Many venues and services have been shut down and guests are limited to two per household, four over the holidays.
During the past two years, we’ve learned as a society, and as individuals, how to adapt.
Organizations figured out how to use online and digital platforms to continue on. Many of those practices developed during those two years are being permanently adopted.
And many of us are finding if not comfort then at least a safe sanctuary in our home offices and work spaces.
But what has become a breath of fresh air is how we’ve adapted our free time to not rely so much on indoor public spaces to limit our interactions with others.
Sure, there are those streaming services and the new social acceptance of binging. But, really, a person can handle only so much Tiger King. Even the The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel can become routine, I imagine. Well, maybe I can’t.
The outdoors have beckoned.
So many have discovered some of the trails, forests and parks that are right on our doorstep. And they’ve proven an attraction winter and summer. The folks who run the Simcoe County forests, the province’s largest municipally owned forest system, say there is so much interest they’ve had to create more parking lots.
More cycling traffic has been reported in and out of town.
And sporting shops have been selling out of much of the equipment we use to explore the outdoors. Bikes flew out of the stores during the first summer, and stocks never really had a chance to replenish given earlier manufacturing shutdowns as the demand continued this past summer.
And then, of course, shipping became a problem and we’ve all learned a little more about the supply chain.
This weekend’s new blanket of snow and cold overnight temperatures provide promise of more outdoor amusements as we take in the winter wonderland. And the hope is that Ontario ski hills will, this year, be allowed to operate in some capacity for the entire season.
And so we all forge on, sad for what so many have had to endure, but happy we’ve been able quickly pivot, adapt and learn important life lessons.
Marg. Bruineman is a staff reporter at BarrieToday.
