The Next Crisis

Oh what a nebulus time we are in within my Province. Leaning into what UK and Denmark did in ripping the “band aid off”, that they have now had to re-apply not only the band-aid but gauze and tape to. Yet, in true `Berta fashion we are holding the line after making a decision, not letting anything change our trajectory (just read your latest utility bill for the legacy character on this story). Now we are cementing a new legacy character–

If by some miracle we avoid wave 6, and the manifestation level of religious science tells us that covid actually ends March 1 there are a few outside challenges that are not being addressed:

1. WCB for long covid haulers who contracted while on the job. With the end of PCR testing in our provicne and moving to rapid testing, it does create a huge loop hole of denying claims. In other news, the ending of emergency measures, creates challenges for workers accessing Federal entitlements to help out.
2. Shows the problem with Majority governments. We got the citizen support, not necessarily because it was a Liberal government federally, but I hold it was a minority goverment, so more than one political ideology needed to be heard in the devision making process for Peace, Order and Good Governance of Citizens.
3. Public eduction in Alberta needing to be reinvested in, and to teach critical thought, but also history of our species in such a way that builds compassion and empathy (so tired of the reductionist to outright denial of Holocaust, Residential Schools my kid is standing against).
4. Mental Health- it has been the rallying cry as children have been used as proxies and trojan horses in the logistical gymnastics that led the five waves. But many do not understand the term beyond the Twitter sound byte. What does it mean to go beyond the mental health tweet?

What does it mean to go beyond the mental health tweet?

It is needing to understand we have travelled through a communal trauma. Previously I wrote about who will be missing in the pew when the tape comes off, but this is something that is going to hit those who have invested so much time/anger and definition of person in being anti-vax/anti-mask. What happens, when there is no longer that collective drive? Collective anger? When they have to face reality of who in their personal circles of supports, loved ones and family have long covid? Have died? Or quietly disconnected, and having seen the worst of a person exposed no longer want relationship?

Is our mental health system robust enough for 15% of the population in mass grieiving?

And that does not even touch upon the fact, that we have fixated so long on what was lost in c-tine for those who followed mandates, and got vaccinated, that we have not taken time to celebrate the joys and triumphs. There is many, as the normal was paused and crumbled, and we were able to be differently. It is in engaging in this work that we renew and grow resilience as the battle ends.

Then there is the guilt and shame and grieving. Even if you are the one that disconnected the relationship it is change, and change brings grieving. Taking time as we reset, to acknowledge the loss. Even if work has changed, housing has shifted. Take time to abide and feel, process, reach out and engae with mental health support. Even if you think there is nothing there, and you are okay, treat your mental and emotional health like your physical. Have that annual check up, check in, be heard, affirm what works, and see what other tools you can add to your tool box.

This doesn’t even touch on the kiddos, who have carried even more of a burden of the possibility of bringing this to thier grandparents, their medically complex siblings, or other family. Have we supported them in processing their grief and emotions through the rolling changes? Have we helped them see the joys and serenity that truly builds their resilience?

What of those who have clearly heard the eugenics message from society, like myself, existing with pre-existing conditions, like my son, that the rock was rolled away, and we heard society say clearly–

You are expendable for my wing night?

March 1, will be what it will be, but do not hide behind mental health as a hashtag for rationale unless you support a robust government investment in the system of support.

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