I found out I got all of the courses I wanted for High School!

He said

Well… No sooner than we were navigating yet another version of lockdown last week, Wednesday another version of further lockdown measures was announced. A province-wide Stay At Home Order was put into place. I mean we get it and it is necessary but it just feels like every step forward we make, there are three steps backwards to take thereafter. There’s multiple outbreaks at Western University and the first three digits of our postal code boasts the highest positivity rate in Ontario—so yay us! Part of the good in all of this is a ramped up focus on on getting people vaccinated. Now mind you, we’re not yet considered a hot spot where the vaccinations are ramping up, but any little bit helps.

It means that Emelia’s postponed Spring Break from March has been moved to start this week and we anticipate after the week, it will be extended again for another week or two in order to slow down the spread. They were advised on Friday to bring everything home they would need for at home learning just in case they make the move to online learning. Given the state we’re in, quite frankly we’d be shocked if that wasn’t announced. The other bummer in all of this is we got notice from Auburn that the camping season will be delayed from May 1st to 7th with the Stay At Home Order. We anticipated this, but still it was a bummer to hear that. We’re clinging to the notion that the further lockdown for the next four weeks can make enough of an impact that we don’t have to push us back further for our camping getaway.

For years we have had a hedge in our yard that separates our neighbours to the left and our house. It’s on their property, so even though we’ve never liked it we have never removed it because we assumed our neighbours liked it. The home owner before did like it, so when the new ones arrived we assumed they did too. Well, a simple passing conversation with them last week revealed neither of us were at all attached to it—in fact they wanted it gone. So with some time Saturday morning and the chainsaw I inherited from Dad, we made short work of the bushes that have always been such a pain in the ass to trim, to cut the grass around and are a haven for bugs. And the best part is the neighbour was so thankful we took them out that he’s taking care of the disposing of the yard waste. And I got a ice cold thanks beer to boot!

Being that I was off work yesterday, and I had the fresh new negative test in my weekly Does John Somehow Have Covid? test we planned for a window visit with Danielle & Emelia with Mom & Dad since the weather was finally conducive to it. I was able to pick up some much-needed supplies and drop them off for them while the girls got to visit with Mom & Dad through the window of their front lobby. I know Mom & Dad loved the visit and being able to catch up—especially with Emelia. And Mom got to show off all the new photos she’s got printed by Fracture to hang in their suite.

She said

Well this week sucked, and the next few will suck even more. Every time we feel there might be a light at the end of this pandemic nightmare we are pushed further back. Right now Canada especially Ontario is deep in a third and hard wave of the virus. The numbers are down right scary, highest we have now ever seen in Ontario. Compared to other countries we had been pretty good about controlling our numbers sort of but this latest wave, with the variants and the slow rollout of the vaccine it is hitting us hard.

There was a lot of criticism of the provincial government last week with this lockdown light they had started, most felt it wasn’t enough to do anything to slow things down. Well now we are at a tipping point that medical experts fear we might break the system. It was been warned that the next 6 weeks will be rough. So with all the pressure we are back in a stay at home order, basically only leave your home to go to work, real essentials and outside for distanced walks for exercise. That’s it!

I feel for everyone, for the kids and for those in deep isolation and the impact on their mental and physical health. We are hoping with the ramping up of vaccinations that we might see the other side of this mountain in a few weeks. We just have to make it through those next few weeks. I am beyond grateful that my in-laws have their vaccines, that John has his first dose. We cannot wait until the entire family is protected and safe!