It was a simple ask — stay home to keep COVID-19 numbers down. But it appears Canadian politicians, as divided as they are in houses of government across Canada, found common ground in betraying that ask.
Liberals, NDP, Conservatives, mayors and councillors all decided the reccomendations did not apply to them. That their travel was essential.
It’s enough to make people throw up their hands and question everything.
‘If politicians are gallavanting around the world, why couldn’t I travel home for Christmas?’
I know I asked myself that question this month. I felt duped, lied to and idiotic, especially with the newpaper’s schedule in 2020 making a trip home a breeze to schedule.
When sitting home alone, visiting with family over Facebook messenger and Zoom may have made me feel like a sucker, the COVID-19 post-holiday spike being lower than I expected gave me much better vibes.
I certainly didn’t want to travel to a Manitoba hot-spot, risking bring the virus back. Or accidently carrying it to Mantioba, to potentially infect my older relatives.
The lower (than I expected) holiday spike in case numbers is testement to the public’s willingness to follow these rules, and backed up polling data showing many Canadians would make a concerted effort to follow the rules.
When we question our own behaviour in the coming months, making calls on whether or not to bend the rules, or even break them, remember your behaviour from Christmas, not the behaviour of jet-setting politicians.
They are the suckers, not you.
-Cassidy Dankochik, Observer Editor