This 2020 summer easily could have been labeled as a write-off for most people. Lockdowns and travel bans tried to suppress us and keep us down. But the Canadian spirit is resilient, and it would take a lot more than a global pandemic to keep it down. While it’s true that “fun” took a different form this summer than it normally might, I’m uplifted by the many ways I’ve seen and heard about Canadians pivoting in the way they celebrate summer.
These behavioural shifts were clearly signalled by which shelves were empty within department stores: outdoor furniture and décor, camping equipment, bicycles and BBQs. Canadians didn’t stop having fun this summer; they just changed its format. Now, with fall weather setting in and patio heaters in high demand, it’s clear that we’re not ready to throw in the towel on outdoor entertaining just yet.
While it’s a subject of debate among some Canadians, I’m personally very proud of how we’ve collectively handled the pandemic so far. The Canadian motto is “Peace, order and good government.” And while I’m not here to debate the third section of that slogan – there are better sites for that – I do believe that we’ve done a pretty damn good job of peacefully doing what needs to be done in an orderly and structured fashion to flatten the curve.
We haven’t seen any of the massive spikes that the US is seeing, and that’s thanks to the fact that our culture, while similar to the US in many ways, tends to be a little more collectivistic. In other words, we place a little more emphasis on the needs of the many, as opposed to the needs of the few, to use Spock’s words. We’ve recognized that social distancing and mask wearing aren’t just about protecting ourselves; they’re about protecting others around us. It’s about our loved ones, and the sick and vulnerable.
Recent research shows I’m not the only one who feels this way, either. Fully two thirds of Canadians feel that this pandemic has brought us closer together. Yes, there’s the odd Karen at the grocery store that would push an old lady out of the way to get the last pack of toilet paper, but she’s the exception, not the rule. Mostly, we’ve recognized that following the rules has led to our ability to slowly start to emerge from this pandemic with more of a sense of safety than many other countries can claim.
Wrapping it Up
We’re not out of the woods yet. With school starting and fears of a Wave 2 keeping us on high alert, we have to be vigilant now more than ever, to avoid undoing the hard work we’ve all put in up to now. If we do see a Wave 2, the already-hard-hit small business sector will be even further devastated. Many more Canadian families will struggle as they’re forced to close their doors for good.
Nobody wants that. And nobody wants to learn that they spread the virus to their family. So for now, let’s get our patio heaters and camping chairs out, keep the BBQ lit, and keep the socially-distanced good times rolling well into the cooler weather.
I’m proud of us, Canada. Even when we follow the rules, we’re able to find creative ways to enjoy each other’s company and keep our spirits up. This pandemic has really shown what we’re made of, and I think we should all be proud of what we see when we look in the mirror.
