CHEERS: To all the people who have turned their beautiful outdoor Christmas tree lights back on during the coronavirus pandemic. They add a wonderful sense of light and hope for people to enjoy if they are driving in the evening of walking in their neighbourhoods (observing the proper social distancing, of course). Let’s hope more people follow suit and brighten up our hearts as we stay together by keeping apart.
CHEERS: To the Mi-Carême - a fabled figure of Acadian tradition who visited P.E.I. homes last week to celebrate the midpoint of Lent despite the ongoing pandemic. It was reported via social media posts that the Mi-Carême practised social distancing and did not enter people's homes while handing out candy to kids.
JEERS: To world leaders who failed to act to help curb the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). While Canada's reaction hasn't been perfect it is far superior to many other countries, including the U.S., where government bumbling and denials have led to that country becoming the current "hot-spot" for the virus. Let's hope our neighbour's failures don't seep into Canada.
CHEERS: To Len Currie and East Coast Art Party for providing free, online art parties to help kids (and their parents) stave off boredom and cope with having to stay home during the coronavirus pandemic. The artist, Damon Roberts, has fun being creative and giving instruction, sometimes dressing in costumes such as the infamous painter, Bob Ross, or a poop emoji. Anyone who misses a live party but still wants to paint can still do so by viewing the free videos online.
CHEERS: To all Islanders following safety measures from social distancing to regular, thorough hand washing for doing their part to help flatten the curve and slow the spread of COVID-19 – and a particularly loud cheer to Islanders returning from interprovincial or international travel who are taking the critical, decisive action of immediately going into self-isolation for 14 days ... and JEERS to anyone returning to the Island who is not going into self-isolation. Your selfishness and stupidity are not appreciated.
CHEERS: To city council in Charlottetown for acting quickly to open the bike lane around Victoria Park a month early this year. The inside lane around the park is normally closed to vehicular traffic beginning on May 1 but the council decided to open it on April 1. In past years, this lane has been restricted to bicycles only out of safety concerns for pedestrians and people pushing strollers. The problem this year is the pandemic has shut a lot of things down and there are a lot more people using the boardwalk, not good considering we’re supposed to be social distancing these days. It only makes sense to give people more space.
CHEERS: To veterinarians who continue to care for pets and livestock, all the time, but especially now.
