COVID continuing to disrupt holidays for Canadians

Well, we’ve been down this road once again, and 2021 is under threat of a similar setup to last Christmas.
The only difference so far is the lack of a lockdown pushed down by the provincial government. The Omicron variant is continuing to spread around the world and once again the holiday season is in jeopardy. And trust us when we say we don’t want to be in another lockdown this holiday season.
Lots of people adhered to the holiday COVID guidelines last year, but the frustration of spending another December without having family together is not ideal for anyone. Those who have been vaccinated are permitted to have small gatherings of two households and 10 fully vaccinated people, but unvaccinated are not supposed to have any gatherings at all. I think it would be naive to believe everyone is following these rules — whether vaccinated or unvaccinated.
It’s been a long time of restrictions and COVID talk, and we think we can speak for the vast majority of the population when we say it’s been a frustrating almost two years. Premier Jason Kenney has already stated he was unsure Albertans would be receptive to another holiday season with strict measures in place. Talks have apparently begun on relaxation of those restrictions, so we’ll see what’s announced before the holidays begin.
Of course, public safety is the number one reason for these restrictions, but we think if people are smart during the rest of December and stay home when sick, get vaccinated, and wear masks when in public, that should help Alberta’s overall case numbers. Alberta.ca states that 89.1 per cent of the 12 years of age and over population is 89.1 per cent vaccinated, while 84.6 per cent are fully vaccinated. There’s been constant back and forth on the vaccine discussion, but we’re on the side of getting vaccinated. Many people get vaccines and immunizations against a variety of diseases and flu, and the COVID vaccines give your body resistance to COVID-19. Will it 100 per cent protect you and guarantee you won’t get COVID? No, but symptoms and transmission is much less.
But, at this point, it certainly seems like choices have been made — if you chose to get vaccinated you’ve done your part and hope others will too. If you haven’t, you feel that’s best for you and you don’t want to be asked again. Either way, it seems like a no-brainer to get a vaccine that is back by medical scientists and health professionals.
We want Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza, or whatever holiday you celebrate this December to go off without a hitch and for friends and family to come together.