Skip to main content

In the Wake of Turmoil

Are we sick of COVID-19 yet?  Lets be real - because IT is, despite the nay-saying tin-foil-hattists out there who say it's all a ploy.  COVID-19 has ruled my life for the past week or 10 days.  I work in a college, and all of our students have been sent home. My department works primarily with Apprenticeship students, and it was just announced last night that all Apprenticeship classes are cancelled until the following academic year (which starts at the end of August 2020).  The Government of Alberta is recommending closing any venues with more than 50 people, and our companies solution while they figured out how to uncover loop holes in contracts, was to remove some chairs in the common areas, and later we were told to isolate to our private offices and only conduct business with colleagues (who are in the same building) through e-mail, telephone or video chat... but don't worry, IF and WHEN you show symptoms, you can go home... By then, it's too late folks, c'mon!

Image may contain: 4 people, text

All jokes aside - this is a big corporation in the shadows of a massive budget cut and I can't fault them for scowering contracts and collective agreements to find some sort of financial silver lining for their bottom line - but in the mean time, our lives are at risk.  There is far more than 50 people here, no one is isolating to their offices, and at least 1 colleague has been in close contact with his dentist, who was at a convention where there were several people who tested positive for the virus.  The chances of COVID-19 already circulating my work place is much higher than the chance of it not being present.  There are whisperings of us being sent to work from home and I'll be surprised if it doesn't come to that point in the next 24-48 hours.

Image may contain: 1 person, text

What does this mean for my horses?  The majority of my horses are at home on my private farm, with the exception of Sierra so there's little disruption in that sense.  The barn where Sierra is located is currently closed to the public, which is a huge financial hit to their pocket book, but it was the right thing to do.  Boarders are welcome, but that is it - which I think is the unfortunate but ethical decision.  That being said, I have made the decision that if we get sent home, I will bring Sierra home prematurely. My board is paid until April 7 and I won't get a refund if she comes home early, but I live 20 minutes from town (where the barn is located) which would require me to make that drive where as I typically go there on days that i'm in town for work anyway (Mon - Fri).  In addition, I am a believer in the importance of isolating yourself during these trying times IF you have the option to, and even though there is less foot traffic at the barn these days, all it takes is one person to transmit it. I'm pregnant, and there is conflicting information about it's effects on pregnant women, and at the end of the day I just feel strongly that IF you have the means to take yourself out of the stack of petri dishes, why wouldn't you?  I can * easily * do my job from home and I feel as though it's my civil duty to do my part in remaining in self isolation on my own farm.  Not everyone has the opportunity to work from home, move their horses home, etc - but I do, so why wouldn't I?

At this point, as it has for the past week or so, this situation is changing by the minute and no one really knows how to handle it - the goal to flatten the curve and remain on top of this pandemic calls for drastic, but necessary, measures.  There is no doubt a lot of media hype, but this situation is very real and while I joke about being 'born for self-isolation' as i'm a happily self-proclaimed introvert, my goal is to keep myself and my friends and family safe and healthy.  The Alberta Government anticipates this to peak in our province in 4-5 weeks if things continue on the trajectory it's currently travelling, but unfortunately, only time will tell.

Image may contain: possible text that says 'If everything gets canceled (or closes) and you have to stay home, and then NOTHING HAPPENS, remember this: THAT'S THE POINT.'

Comments

  1. Derby was postponed and we were going, so we've had to readjust our schedule. Hoping the airlines don't go out of business so we can actually go in Sept. Sigh.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For sure! It's sure going to drag out the Triple Crown but they made the right decision. Hope you still get to go!

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Blog Hop: 2020 Summary; Covid Edition

 While we all live in different towns, have different goals and different lives - but one thing that we all have in common is what a wild and wonky year 2020 was.  The reality is, it's all affected us in one way or another, and with 2020 coming to an end it's time to reflect and look hopeful towards an improved 2021. What's the best thing that happened to you in 2020? Personal: Hands down, the birth of my daughter .  After 4 years of fertility struggles, I'm beyond grateful and though some days feel like an eternity of struggle, confusion and pain, my heart has never been more full. Horsey: It's hard to choose. Despite hardly riding, I've had a lot of wonderful horsey-filled memories this year.  From the birth of Phascinating BRR , my second homebred to date, to the few rides I got to enjoy and making a major investment in my breeding business, there's been lots to be thankful for. What's the worst thing that happened to you in 2020? Personal: It's

Vet Trip #2 For The Big Lady

I don't talk about her a ton, but we were given Lass, a Clydesdale mare with a rough past who is well into her teens, last fall. Friends of ours who live on an acreage but really aren't 'horse people' 'acquired' her after seeing what kind of condition she was in. They had a vet out to address some concerns that included some sort of fungal issue on her legs and open sores housing fly larvae on her back.  The Vet said her teeth were fine, and they did their best to get some weight on her.  They attempted to sell her, but quickly realized it was in her best interest to just give her away to an experienced home. They're friends of ours, and they asked us if we would take her - My hubby has wanted a draft for some time, so he twisted my rubber arm and I agreed. Shortly after our friends acquired her When we went to look at her, it took 4 of us about 30 minutes to catch her.  She was extremely standoffish and made it clear she didn't want anything