Circling March 11 can be considered a random date to note the impact of the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. We had heard of COVID-19 at least since January. The WHO did characterize COVID-19 as a pandemic on this date in 2020.
The Hometown Hockey tweet on March 11 cancelling the appearances in North Vancouver, Campbell River (BC), and Edmonton rang strong that this might last for awhile.
We contemplated the status of a Montréal Canadiens game scheduled for San Jose for March 19. We considered alternatives to Santa Clara County after the announcement of no gatherings larger than 1,000 would be allowed through the end of March.
The contemplation was mostly as to whether the NHL would considered playing a game in the actual Bay Area: Chase Center and the classic Cow Palace in San Francisco (San Francisco County) and Oakland Coliseum Arena (Alameda County). Those counties implemented similar bans.
The NBA shut down that night. The NHL shut down the next day.
We got the word on March 12 that Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, wife of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, tested positive for COVID-19.
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We learned about the impact of the chief public health officer, such as Dr. Theresa Tam on the federal level and Dr. Bonnie Henry in British Columbia. Canadians got updates from competent, relevant people, something Americans would have been drooling with jealousy. Canadians don't always have to compare themselves with Americans; the nightmare that was the U.S. federal response made Canadians relieved that the border was closed.
The Maritime provinces along with Newfoundland and Labrador even had a travel bubble during the summer.
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Canadian travel update: The waiting is the hardest part
Driving to Alaska now has specific terms in Canada
Driving to Alaska should not be code for staying in Canada during a pandemic
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How COVID-19 is affecting Canadian snowbirds
CanadianCrossing.com border crossings coverage
CanadianCrossing.com trade coverage
CanadianCrossing.com travel coverage
The border has been closed, except to essential workers, since March 21, 2020.
Your humble narrator doesn't like to draw attention but the loss of access to Canada has been devastating. No butter tarts, real poutine, spending dollar coins, poppies. A land of plentiful garbage and recycling bins. No Tim Hortons, Canadian Tire, and Swiss Chalet. No trips to places where I need to go back (Montréal) and places where I have never been (Saskatoon, Jasper).
The pandemic has meant tremendous losses for people, especially those in long-term care homes. Didn't know before the pandemic that Ontario, in particular, had private long-term care homes. The pandemic has also done a lot of economic damage, especially along the U.S. border, on both sides. There are many communities along the border who didn't see the border as a major barrier; the nationalism that was prevalent as a result, well, hopefully, will subside as things improve.
When "normal" arrives, the unity of the Canada-U.S. border will hopefully be stronger and more appreciated than before COVID-19 became a part of our vocabulary.
I can't wait to go back to Canada.
photo credit: @VisitNovaScotia
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