Like you, I’m forced to spend much more time with my own thoughts.
So I’ve been thinking …
Will we come out of the pandemic with a newfound sense of connection? Will we gain an appreciation for community? Will we view government differently, as a collective force for good?
Even I’m a bit skeptical of the latter point. But I suspect there will be a newfound admiration for anyone who must go to work these days, despite the inherent risk.
Not just first responders and medical professionals, but civil servants who keep the buses moving, the water treated, the lights on and the garbage collected.
I also wonder how politics might change. Might it be gentler and softer in societies that worried and worked together to survive.
One of the most alarming trends in the past few decades was the denigration of science and scientists as part of the untrustworthy class of “elites.”
But it is those same elites working in hospitals, in private and university labs, in government and in non-government organizations, who are working non-stop for better strategies and treatments, as well as the holy grail, a vaccine.
Will their work to save lives erode populist politics and allow for a more respectful discussion and debate in our legislatures and parliament.
Canada looks again like a bastion of compassion and clear thought in the world today.
At least, that’s what I continue to think.
But please have a look at this article, in which analysts look at the potential future impacts of the pandemic on the world.
It is an interesting read.
Take some time to think about it. If you have comments, please email them to me. If I get enough, I’ll summarize those thoughts in a future blog post.
- COVID-19 updates from the City of Edmonton: edmonton.ca/covid-19
- Alberta Health Services Resources: self-assessment tool, COVID Assessment, Testing & Results Report, and mental health support (Text4Hope).
- COVID-19 Financial Support from the Government of Alberta.
- COVID-19 Financial Support from the Government of Canada.
By Scott McKeen, City Councillor Ward 6