OMG! What a year!
2020 will be remembered as the year the world collectively gasped and struggled to breath. A dangerous pandemic and a rise in populist and racist agendas around the world forced us to reckon with our own human vulnerability and expendability. COVID 19 and politics, Canadian and American, taught us a lot about ourselves in 2020, some of which would have been nice to have left alone.
We learned that not everyone is valued in the same way. Even COVID agrees, as this reality has kept the virus well fed and thriving. With the exception of those manning our health systems, and thank God for them, as this commentary is by no means an exclusion or minimization of their sacrifice to make a point, as they too, have selflessly taken care of us at risk to themselves — but there are other essential workers as well, ones who do not always come to mind immediately when ‘essential’ or ‘frontline’ workers are referred to.
These are the people who ride crammed, inner-city buses daily because they cannot work from home or isolate like many of us can. They are the ones who keep food on our tables, deliver our gifts and packages, collect our garbage, and teach our children. They are the frontline workers taking care of our youngest citizens in daycares, and our seniors in long term care residences. And yes, they are often of limited means and people of colour — COVID’s feast.
I am trying hard not to get too dark here, but it is a struggle. I think of the thousands of seniors who became infected and died in LTC during the first wave of this pandemic, a wave that should have informed us and resulted in better outcomes for our geriatric population during this second wave. Forewarned is forearmed, right?
So why was only a band-aid solution applied to the LTC system? Previous studies as well as reports from the military who stepped in to help during the first wave, confirmed the need for a surgical approach to stem the hemorrhaging of life spilling out of LTC. But was it apathy or funding that led to a flawed response where seniors still look like sitting ducks waiting to be picked off, one by one, by this deadly virus. What are our elders worth to us? Answering this should be a priority, because God willing, we Baby Boomers are headed there quickly.
2020 also taught us about masking, social distancing and isolation. Being separated from our grandchildren and loved ones has been very hard, but it is a sacrifice most have felt compelled to make for the greater good. It is discouraging though to see so many of our peers and citizens, and not just young people either, but mature adults in their forties and fifties flaunting their defiance of these health guidelines without regard for anyone but themselves.
I can only imagine what a stab in the heart this must be to those working in hospital emergency rooms and ICU’s — those who know what it is to look into the terrified eyes of a suffocating patient or hold the hand of somebody’s dying mother or husband as they take their last breath completely alone. We know this sadness. One of our friends was that patient just weeks ago.
But 2020 was not only about the pandemic or the spotlighting of inequities. It also revealed our strengths, and our collective desire to pursue change. Always, there will be outliers, but the world, I believe, wants better for all its people.
George Floyd, Brianna Taylor, Joyce Echaquan, D’Andre Campbel, and Ejaz Choudry are a few of the names we will remember from 2020 because of the injustice and abuse that ended their lives simply because of who they were — Black, Indigenous, and People of color. The world has showed us, though, that it has noticed — and that it is important to take a stance on behalf of others, even when one is not directly impacted by those injustices. I am encouraged by this going forward. I have to be — for my children — and for their children.
It’s a dreadful shame that so much pain and suffering must always precede positive change and improvement, but 2020 has, for me, prompted the following reflections of what is and what is still to come:
I like that people now understand that Black Lives Matter.
I like that Canada’s Indigenous people have a louder voice, a voice that forced the RCMP to acknowledge systemic racism — a resonant voice that needs to be heard and fuel more change.
I like that women are creating deeper footholds around the world and using their voice and power to protest injustice and inequity, even though these struggles are far from over.
I like that gay and transgendered men and women can run for political office and be competitive.
I like that the police have to think twice before lashing out at black and Indigenous men and women.
I like that white people are more aware of their privilege and less afraid to hold their own accountable for racist views and behaviour.
I like that democracy, social justice, and equality are appealing more and more to others worldwide.
I like that a vaccine has been developed in record time to help starve this hungry virus and save lives.
I like that the Canadian government is nothing like America’s, and that social and financial assistance is available to Canadians, even though it is never enough, and we will likely pay the price later on.
And I like cellphones and social media, without which, ignorance would remain blissful.
So, goodbye 2020. Your lessons have definitely qualified as hard knocks.
And hello there, 2021. May we become the best of friends!
Stay well and safe!
Silvia M Wynter
Author of Prey of Angels
