Article 1 – COVID-19: Is This Really Happening?

Even though it has been over six months since the advent of the world’s newest, most-unknown, and deadly virus, I find myself asking the same question over and again, “Is this really happening?” And every time, after a few seconds, my mind clears and the temporary fog lifts. Of course, the answer is always a resounding, YES! This is really happening. People are really walking around with face masks, and remaining cautious, or avoiding contact altogether with those outside of their household, or “social bubble.” We are now amid a pandemic brought on by COVID-19, and little did we know that 2019 would be the end of how we functioned and lived, and the life we once knew, gone in an instant.
COVID-19 entered our lives with dominance and force. As of September 18, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported global rates of COVID-19, which sit at 28,584,158 confirmed cases, and 916,955 deaths. A quick snapshot of this data demonstrates the gravity of this virus and why the measures put in place by the government and private citizens will have a profound impact on how soon we will overcome this pandemic. The effects of such measures on me personally will be discussed in the following paragraphs.

It did not take long for COVID-19 to appear nationally, and once it appeared in Canada, the associated fears, precautions, and eventual measures quickly gained momentum and created heightened anxiety, worry, and much confusion. For example, what was considered acceptable one day, such as travelling to the nearest city, was no longer considered safe the next day. The resulting uncertainties and perceived seriousness of the virus affected not only my own mental health, but many people in my circle. Like others, I had to deal with the separation from family and friends. We are a small family, but a close-knit one. My home was a regular meeting place to visit and catch up on life, and this was suddenly all taken away in an instant. I struggled most with being separated from my nephew and niece, as they are an enormous part of my being. Their routine, but spontaneous visits during the week, endless hugs, and sleepovers, were soon replaced with awkward moments of brief conversations on my doorstep. This new form of a quick visit was just as awkward for them as it was for me. In the beginning, I could sense confusion and uneasiness as they stood there and played with their fingers while their eyes darted about. I often wondered if I was having a hard time coping with all of this madness, how was a seven-year-old and a nine-year-old making sense of it all? What I desperately longed to do every time I saw them was to grab them and hug them tight. This was my form of greeting them every time we met, and to refrain from doing so felt cold and abnormal.

At the beginning of the pandemic, my husband and I avoided almost all public places, including medical clinics and dental offices, if possible, and the homes of all friends and extended family members. The only places we went to were our places of employment, grocery stores, and gas stations. We limited our contacts to only the members of our household (my husband and me), which was undoubtedly the most challenging aspect of adjusting to the pandemic in the early stages. Today, post-first-wave, we use due caution by wearing facemasks, washing hands, maintaining social distance, and keeping our “social bubble” small. This has caused me to lose the closeness that I once had with some friends, and I, admittedly, still need to discover other ingenious ways of staying in touch with my family and friends. In order to continue to stay safe, my husband and I have still stopped patronizing busy spots such as theatres, shopping malls, and popular restaurants. After a busy day at work, meeting at a restaurant was a normal part of our routine before COVID-19. It gave us a break from cooking, and it allowed an intimate time for us to reconnect. Although “take out” became the new normal of dining out during this pandemic, and it still accommodates a break from cooking, it lacks the change of atmosphere and the opportunity to socialize with others. On a positive note, isolating ourselves in this manner certainly saved money, and it also provided “downtime” that allowed me the opportunity to recharge and reflect.

Before COVID-19, life was crazy at times. Working a full-time accounting job, a part-time respite job, and being a part-time university student, left me with very little time to recharge. After COVID-19 restrictions, I found myself closed off from family and friends, as well as my part-time job, and most public venues and travelling. There was now more time to sleep or do absolutely nothing at all! This also meant there was more time for afternoon strolls, reading, and puzzles. It was during this lull time that I found more time to relax and reflect on what really matters in my life. First, no matter how much you work or achieve and how much money you make, it all means nothing without good health and people to share your life with. Second, I felt a renewed gratefulness for a loving, kind, and caring spouse to navigate these uncertain times with. I could not have asked for a better partner to prepare for an imminent lockdown with. As a method of distraction from the gloom of the pandemic, my spouse and I tackled some minor house projects. We also refined our culinary skills by trying new recipes and perfecting the art of bannock baking and perogy making. Yum! Third, after years of contemplating a career change, I decided that now was the time to become a full-time university student. If the possibility of further waves and lockdowns were on the horizon, what better time to accomplish academic goals than now?

Today, I find myself completing post-secondary education in a virtual environment. Like my peers, I am still adjusting to this new form of learning; so far, it has been manageable. At times, I feel more overwhelmed than usual with what I perceive as electronic information overload. Not only are we receiving all the class information electronically, but we also have to process all the new information regarding the new platforms of learning (Zoom, Webex, etc.) and the rules for these forms of learning. I sometimes feel as though I’m in an endless abyss of clicking and printing so that I feel confident that I am not missing any information, and this can be frustrating at times.

My full-time employer at the time was deemed an essential service, and it put safety measures in place quickly, such as sanitization procedures, masks, and social distancing requirements. Being an essential service meant that we would continue operating, and I would not be without an income. In March, my employer and I arranged a plan that allowed me to work at home. Working from home was a privilege as it allowed me to stay as safe as possible while continuing to receive a paycheque. I was grateful for this opportunity because, at the earliest stages of the pandemic, there was great uncertainty and fear of the unknown. Furthermore, I was acutely aware of those who did not have this opportunity and had no alternative but to work in environments that entailed possible exposure to others who were carrying the virus. Though I enjoyed the additional perks of working from home, such as more sleep, casual dress, and popping supper into the oven during “coffee break,” I missed the change of scenery, the company of my co-workers, and the ease of face-to-face communication when discussing work-related issues. Working from home definitely had its own challenges! I had to create a workspace in my house, and the best space that I was initially able to find was the dining room, with my dining table serving as my workstation. My home environment was more chaotic, with papers strewn about, and meals now served in the living room because the last place I wanted to eat supper was at the dining table in the same spot I had already sat in all day. Additionally, I found myself spending more hours working for my employer than the required work hours. It was simply too easy to log on remotely and finish up work that I would have normally completed the next day had I been physically located in my office. However, working from home allowed me to remain safe, and for that, I ensured I did the best possible job I could.

These are just a few of the ways I have been personally affected by the outbreak of COVID-19, and as explained above, not all have been negative. Taking this time to pursue academic goals, more time for resting and recharging, and reflecting on what really matters in this life have all been fundamental in helping me overcome the feelings of sadness and loneliness that creep in from time to time. The loss of regular and close contact with family and friends, learning in a new virtual environment and adjusting to working from home have all been challenging. However, these effects of the pandemic are pale in comparison to the suffering and loss that my fellow human beings have had to endure. Mine are small sacrifices to make as we all prepare to undergo another imminent wave of this pandemic.

Work Cited
WHO Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Dashboard. World Health Organization. https://covid19.who.int/. Accessed on September 18, 2020.

Author’s Bio: Nicole McKenzie is an Aboriginal woman of Cree and European descent and a member of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation. Her major is Aboriginal and Northern Studies in the Bachelor of Arts Program at University College of the North. In Winter 2021, she will be starting the Bachelor of Social Work Program at the University of Manitoba. After graduation, Nicole plans to continue her studies and research with a deeper focus on the effects of colonization on Indigenous people in Canada, particularly in the areas of addiction and child apprehension. Nicole’s other interests include Indigenous rights, reconciliation, child advocacy, and the mental health and wellness of Aboriginal children and youth. Outside of learning, her other passion is fishing on the pristine lakes of Northern Manitoba for walleye and pike, and camping with her family in their region’s tranquil and remote parks.

Instructor’s Remarks: Nicole McKenzie weighs in on the topic of the COVID-19 pandemic with this reflective essay “COVID-19: Is This Really Happening?” The essay was originally written and submitted in the Composition and Creativity course which I taught in fall, 2020. Nicole writes about the difficulties of pivoting to working from home, rather than the more established, traditional, in-person method. Nicole’s essay helps the reader to accept the present reality and the necessity to reinvent oneself. I will always cherish the productive experience we shared in the ENG.1002 course this term – Dr. Joseph Atoyebi