Category: Campus Life

When the coronavirus struck, provinces across Canada implemented physical distancing restrictions and temporarily closed non-essential services, it’s a given why pet care services remained available. According to a previous report from CanadianVeterinarians.net, at least 35% of households have a pet dog, while 38% have a pet cat. Add to this the growing list of organizations across the country that are centred on animal advocacy and activism, the need for veterinarians is ever-increasing. Pet health and wellness is sought after these days as much as those for humans.

Even during this health crisis, veterinarians across Canada, amounting to 12,000 according to the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, veterinarians’ doors are open to anyone who needs treatment and care for animals in need, making them essential workers.

If this career is something you’re considering, let’s take a deep dive on what exactly this involves.

Veterinarian– What You Need to Know

While cats and dogs make up a large portion of veterinarians’ clients, they are not the only clients. This means that the love for fur babies doesn’t necessarily mean you are suited for the career. Apart from domestic pets that everyone love, veterinarians also deal with animals in every shape and form, which means that if you choose to be a vet, you have to prepare to  deal with livestock animals like cows, goats, and pigs and those from the reptilian species like snakes and lizards, and a whole slew of others. You have to have an all-inclusive mindset and not merely focus on the animals that you fill up Instagram pages.

By definition, a veterinarian is a doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM), a professional in animal health care. Vets may opt to practice in various fields, including private practice, government, industry, or teaching and research.

The most common services performed by vets include check-ups, vaccinations, administering medicine, spaying and neutering, and other surgeries. For vets who work in private practice, they also communicate with owners on how to best provide care and the need for surgery or medication in some cases. Services like vaccinations, deworming, and parasite control are also performed as needed. Vets also make recommendations on how to best maintain pet health and wellness through proper nutrition and adequate exercise. Some issues that vets watch out for in pet owners are overfeeding/too much food, giving too many treats, making food available at all times, giving poor quality food, and giving human food/table scraps.

Salary

According to PayScale.com, a veterinarian can earn as much as $78,277 per year with potential for bonus and commission.

Skills

To kick things off to become a veterinarian in Canada, you would need to enroll in a college of agriculture or a college of arts and sciences as pre-veterinary education. After that, you would need to apply to a school of veterinary medicine where you would need to complete a variety of courses, including organic chemistry, physics, biology, genetics, microbiology, math, biochemistry, and others.

It is an advantage to acquire a degree in the natural sciences, such as a degree in biology, zoology, or chemistry, but it is not required as long as you take some prerequisite course. Take note that vocational schools don’t arm you with pre-veterinary training and education and thus may affect your chances for admission in a university of your choice later on.

Once you have completed your Bachelor degree, you will be then required to finish your training at a veterinary school. For this, you have plenty of options including the University of Prince Edward Island, the University of Saskatchewan Western College of Veterinary Medicine, the University of Calgary, and the University of Guelph.

The next step is to obtain your license through the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association or CVMA. This involves completing a 3-part veterinary licensing examination process, administered by the National Examining Board (NEB). After the exams, you become eligible to apply for license from any of the provincial veterinary licensing bodies.

To be highly efficient in this profession, veterinarians must possess a solid knowledge of conditions and diseases that afflict animals. A true passion for animals is a big plus, as well as people skills since veterinarians must apply strong customer service skills to achieve client satisfaction and loyalty.

Pros and Cons

A career as a veterinarian is a fulfilling one as you help animals as well as the pet owners or clients deal with the animals’ health challenges while at the same time contributing to uphold animal rights and values.

The challenge is dealing with animals which may turn in unpredictable behavior as it is expected with some animals under high stress. These encounters sometimes involve risk and danger. Veterinarians must always know how to maintain calmness and efficiency in crisis situations.

SOURCES:

https://i-studentglobal.com/news/veterinary-studies-in-canada/

https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/resources/national-examining-board

http://www.canadafaq.ca/how+to+become+a+veterinarian+in+canada/

https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/documents/canada-s-pet-wellness-report2011

Individuals who are in long-term care and retirement homes have all been hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis. The media is constantly flooded with news about an outbreak that affects both residents and workers. It has gotten to such dire straits; there is a court action that has been filed against a long-term care facility in London, Ontario brought about by the Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) who claims that the owner did not provide them with adequate personal protective equipment or PPE. With the way things are going for this industry, it is most likely that this case won’t be the last of its kind.

In light of this, there is now a greater need for home health aides who can step in and provide the sufficient care that the senior members of our society needs without the latter having to leave the comfort of their own homes, which we are seeing put them at greater risk to succumbing to the disease.

If you’re thinking about this career path, read below for more information. It is a tough job, but rewarding, selfless and something that truly has a lasting affect on society and the people in it.

Home Health Aide– What You Need to Know

Home health aides might be the answer the country is looking for to control the spread of COVID-19 in the elderly population because they are equipped to attend to the needs of seniors who no longer have the ability to care for themselves. While individuals in their advanced years make up the majority of home health aides’ clientele, they can also be responsible for taking care of patients with a chronic illness or disability. They can also just lend a helping hand when it comes to medical attention.

In most cases, home health aides collaborate with nurses to maintain a record of the patient’s progress and alert the physician or nurse of any sudden changes in the patient’s health. Generally, a home health aide takes charge of basic care tasks, such as administering oral medicines as needed, changing bed linens, washing and ironing the patient’s laundry, and maintaining the patient’s quarters. Home health aides also check the patient’s pulse, temperature, and respiration. For patients with mobility issues, home health aides help them move in and out of beds, baths, wheelchairs, and automobiles, and assist them with dressing and grooming

Apart from physical tasks, home health aides also provide companionship to the geriatric population to help them in their emotional and mental well-being by entertaining them, conversing with them, and maybe playing games with them if the patients are up to it, like puzzles or crosswords.

Salary

According to PayScale.com, a certified home health aide can earn between $31,549 to $45,398 per year.

Skills

To start a career as a home health aide, completing a certificate from a recognized program at any community college for two semesters is a requirement. This certificate would allow graduates to assume entry-level positions as aides.

Certification as a home health aide is an advantage but not required, and it mainly involves a minimum of 75 hours of skills training. Take note though that there is a significant number of organizations that require home health aides to complete certified nursing assistant (CNA) training, which usually takes four to eight weeks. Both CHHA and CNA training require passing an exam and completing a number of clinical hours.

Pros and Cons

Being a home health aide does have its share of challenges especially when it comes to the physicality required to fulfill the required tasks. At times, it can be emotionally and mentally draining too as one must have an ample amount of patience and understanding to work effectively with their patients. However, it does offer a rewarding experience as they are responsible for looking after the care of their patients, and it’s fulfilling to see patients keep their health and wellness and be free of serious illnesses. The companionship that the senior population provides is also a unique one as they offer a lot of wisdom that can truly be helpful to home health aides especially when it comes to life matters.

SOURCES:

https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Certified_Home_Health_Aide_(CHHA)/Hourly_Rate

https://london.ctvnews.ca/court-action-taken-against-london-long-term-care-home-with-covid-19-outbreak-1.4906128

These days, you are probably spending a lot of time at home instead of school because of COVID-19. You might find it difficult to keep on studying when you have no classes to attend. The process can be easier if you follow these guidelines for making the most of your time, whatever challenges you face.

The COVID-19 virus has changed life for many people. Businesses and schools are closed, and people of all ages have to find a way to fill their time. Your teachers have probably started teaching lessons online and giving you assignments to complete and send in. This style of learning is very different from what many people are used to. Still, it can work well, just as it does for homeschoolers.

One of the most difficult parts of working at home is time management. In school, you have classes that run for a set amount of time, and you have to get assignments in by certain deadlines. At home, it is easy to be distracted by the television, pets, games, and other things that are not available at school. It is important to set a schedule for studying and completing assignments so that you will not waste the day with other activities.

Making a plan for the day is good, but you should also be flexible. Suppose that you plan to spend all morning studying, but then your parents need help with raking the lawn or looking after your younger brother or sister. You could take time out for these tasks but add some study time at the end of the day to finish your work. If you wake up early, you might want to start studying right away instead of waiting around. If you have trouble getting up in the morning, you could plan to start and end later.

If possible, you should also set aside a separate physical space at home for your schoolwork. You could set up a spot in your own room or in the kitchen or basement where you know that you can have space and quiet to study. That way, you will know that when you go to that spot, it is time to work.

Without in-person classes, most of your studying probably happens on the computer these days. Using computers for hours at a time can be hard on the eyes, and you should remember to take breaks. Be sure to get away from all electronics during these breaks. Instead, go for a short walk, spend some time talking with a family member, or possibly bake some cookies.

Getting exercise is also important for being effective when you study at home. Clearing your mind and staying healthy will help you avoid becoming overwhelmed and anxious. Walk up and down stairs or jog in place while you are inside. If you can get out, going for a walk in the fresh air is even better. Just remember to stay away from other people on the streets.

When life returns to normal, you will not want to be far behind in your schoolwork. Suggestions like these ones will help you keep up with your studies for next year.

Bibliography:

Anglia Ruskin University. “Ten Health Tips When You Study at Home.” https://distancelearning.anglia.ac.uk/blog/health-tips-for-studying-from-home/.

Lachs, Jennifer. “5 Productivity Tips for Studying from Home.” https://www.huffpost.com/entry/5-productivity-tips-for-s_b_9744310.

Oxford Learning. “How to Study at Home (Without Getting Distracted).” https://www.oxfordlearning.com/tips-for-studying-at-home/.

Scoggins, Rachel. “How to Study.” https://www.wikihow.com/Study.

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, we all still find ourselves self-isolating to keep the numbers from increasing. Many of our occupations have been cancelled and as a result, our daily routines have since come to a pause and we find ourselves bored and worn out. Even if our teachers still do assign work to us, we do not feel as motivated to do it because of our comfortable and relaxed environments at home. These are challenging and enervating times for everyone, we are in this together. As we find ourselves constricted to the walls of our homes, I encourage that we do a lot of thinking. Think about yourself, think about your hardships and how you have overcome them. Self-isolation can foster self-discovery.  Rather than focusing on the pandemic and the challenges that it brings with it; we can try to focus on bettering ourselves and discovering more about ourselves. Take all this time to yourself to find a hobby. Everyone has something that they are good at- all you must do is find it. It could be drawing, singing, dancing, or in my case, writing. Use this as a time to foster independence and positive thinking. This is definitely a different approach than what most are doing.

Often when one thinks of self-discovery, they think of visiting new places and meeting different people to further reflect on how they feel and find who they are. We tend to think that we have to go somewhere else to find something new within ourselves, but this is not true. At the end of the day, those are all things that can help you with your journey, however, it always comes down to you. Throughout the process of self-isolating, I have been doing a lot more activities and thinking a lot more about things that can help me become who I want to be. As a naturally quiet and introverted person, thinking has always been my strong suit. My mind is constantly working. Ultimately, self-isolation is the best place to overthink. It is all down to you; you decide if you are going to think positive thoughts or negative ones.

Unfortunately, sometimes it can be hard to shew away bad thoughts. That is why school has always been my focus, it is a good distraction, but not always a healthy one since it adds a lot of unnecessary stress into my life. However, I have since realized that balance is important and that I should pay more attention to myself.  Below I have included a few tips that have personally helped me with my journey so far and that you can hopefully find helpful soon!

Hobbies are Important! One thing that I have been doing a lot of during this pandemic is writing. My dream has always been to become a successful author one day. So, I decided to start mentally planning and writing a story to keep my mind occupied with something that I liked doing. Therefore, finding your hobby can be essential to self-discovery. Nobody else can help you find a hobby; you get to decide what you like. During the normal school year, you may not have had enough time to do the things that you like. Personally, I have been making more time to read books. I have made it my mission to re-read and watch the Harry Potter series as it is a favorite of mine. Another thing that I have been doing is watching some old childhood movies that I used to love when I was younger to reminisce on older times and remember simpler times. Self-discovery generally goes full circle; before you become who, you are meant to be you must remember who you were.

Take time to focus on your mental health: Your mental health is a key attribute to the journey of self-discovery.  As I said, self-isolation is the best place to overthink. But you get to choose what exactly you overthink about. Try practicing positive mindfulness. Every time you think a bad thought, try, and turn it into something good by replacing it with something happier. Do not dwell on the past, often, the best we can do is move on. Just remember that it is ok to feel distressed, especially at a time like this. Regardless, always walk with the knowledge that you will never walk alone.

By Erin Rebello

With the current quarantine in place you’re probably finding yourself with a lot of free time. What do you plan to do with your spare hours? Play video games? Bake? Sew? If you’re anything like me, you’re probably going to end up doing a lot of reading! Although some people dislike reading, it’s quite possible that they aren’t reading books that they’re actually interested in. Personally, I love indulging in a good fiction book to help me unwind, and with all the stress in the world, it makes sense to relax with reading. Books allow you to step away from the world and dissolve into the universe that the author has created. Listed below are a few of the books I’ve read and loved over the years, and I recommended all of them for a good ol’ quarantine reading session!

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. This novel is told through the eyes of Amir, a Afghani boy living in Kabul. While the novel starts off fairly positive and cheery, as you continue through the book and Amir starts growing up, the reality of the dire situation in Afghanistan becomes clearer and clearer. Although this novel and its characters are fictional, you should know that a lot of the stuff in the book- as scary as it may seem- happens in real life. The author, Hosseini, is an Afghan-American, and is not afraid to get authentic with his audience.

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. If you’re into an engaging plot and incredible character development, this novel is for you! It tells the story of two very different families who come into each other’s lives through what can only be described as fate. Although it is purely fiction, Little Fires Everywhere succinctly summarizes modern-day socioeconomic issues including poverty, income disparity, and saviourism through its storyline and plot dynamics. An absolute must-read in my opinion!

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. Although it is just one of Atwood’s many written works, The Handmaid’s tale is easily her most popular (and controversial) book. The book is written from the perspective of Offred, a young woman living in the dystopian universe known as Republic of Gilead. Although she once had a loving family, she is now only wanted for her ability to bear children, and is kept in a house with many girls in the same horrific situation. Overall, The Handmaid’s tale is a cautionary tale that highlights the importance of women’s rights and bodily autonomy and the ongoing need for feminism. If you enjoy this novel, you might be interested in reading the recently-released sequel, The Testaments.

IT by Stephen King. If you’re into horror and are looking for a loooong read, look no further than the novel IT! In recent years, this novel was released as a movie, and for good reason, too! Stephen King is an engaging writer who really knows how to concoct a good horror book! I highly recommend any Stephen King novel and that includes IT! If you’re looking for something a bit shorter, Stepehen King has written almost 100 books, so you’re sure to find something that you enjoy. My personal recommendations would have to be Carrie, The Shining, and Finders Keepers.

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil DeGrasse Tyson. If fiction isn’t really your thing and you’re trying to learn something new, I highly suggest Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil DeGrass Tyson. Right off the bat, the cover art looks amazing, but you should know that the contents are even cooler! Astrophysicist and author Neil DeGrass Tyson artfully explains the nature of various aspects of the universe and cosmos is a way that the average person can understand. This book is a gateway for curiosity and makes the reader want to learn more and truly push the envelope!

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. If I had to only recommend a single book, it would be this one. I bought the book on a whim because someone else recommended it to me, and I have to say that it’s an absolutely stunning book. The story is told from the perspective of both Finch and Violet, and discusses themes of mental health, relationships, and the hardships of being a teenager. Each and every page is filled with emotion, and although I’ve cried more than once while reading it, I highly recommend it!

COVID-19 has dominated the headlines. Story after story, from the promising to the frightening, have revolved around the pandemic. Nonetheless, this is still the same world from mere months ago. Many of the same problems and opportunities remain. As huge a matter COVID-19 is, the climate crisis is still the biggest long-term problem facing humanity. The pandemic has had a positive short-term impact on the environment and offers promise for the long-term. At the same time, it is a reminder of the daunting challenges we face.

Since the shutdowns and social distancing measures began, there has been less activity and a decrease in carbon emissions. This includes everything from driving to flights, and shopping to working away at an office. But circumstances have suddenly changed. The air has been measurably cleaner. When California starting implementing its measures, there were noticeable drops in nitrogen dioxide in the atmosphere within just weeks. Satellite data has also demonstrated reduced pollution across China after the economic shutdown. It is clear that human activity has drastic impacts on the planet, and that we are capable of scaling back and changing our ways.

The human impact on the environment is large and long-lasting. Concentrations of carbon dioxide were at 413 ppm (parts per million) in 2019. A year later, despite the shutdowns of the pandemic, they have increased to 416 ppm. The positive impacts are temporary and could quickly disappear once the COVID-19 measures are ended. As renowned Canadian environmental activist David Suzuki noted, “the COVID crisis is a crisis for human beings, but the climate crisis is a crisis for life on the planet.”

As difficult as it can be during a time like this, it is important to think long-term. As our economies come back to life after this pandemic, it is crucial that there be an ambitious global framework put in place to tackle the climate crisis. The UN’s annual climate summit was set to take place in November 2020 but has been delayed. The countries in the Paris Agreement were to meet to introduce stronger goals in emission reductions. These goals currently come up far short, and it is essential that the world not fall further behind. Meanwhile, The European Union has been pressured to put a hold on important initiatives such as a carbon trading program and emissions-cutting deadlines. China has already implemented postponements on similar measures. These are delays that the planet cannot afford.

There is plenty of hope. The measures taken to address the economic problems of the pandemic must help speed up the shift to cleaner energy sources. Economic stimulus programs around the world must focus on these investments. Bailouts for the financial industry must require banks to invest less money in fossil fuels. This is an opportunity to greatly advance green packages, more eco-friendly construction projects, cleaner transportation, and more. This will not happen naturally. We have to fight and push for our politicians to take these bold steps.

The COVID-19 pandemic is indeed a generation-defining event. However, the world is far more complex than a single issue. This is a very short-term problem in comparison to the climate crisis. We must take this time to reconsider how we treat wildlife, what we put into the atmosphere, and how we are preparing for the future. Humanity will beat this pandemic. We now have the opportunity to take what we have learned and transform our future. We can finally properly address the climate crisis, by giving it the same urgency and action as we have done for COVID-19.

Sources

Baker, Rochelle. “David Suzuki on applying COVID-19’s lessons to climate change.” Canada’s National Observer. https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/04/17/news/david-suzuki-applying-covid-19s-lessons-climate-change

Chavez, Luciana Tellez, and Daniel Wilkinson. “How Covid-19 Could Impact the Climate Crisis.” Human Rights Watch. https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/04/16/how-covid-19-could-impact-climate-crisis

Tenenbaum, Laura. “Sorry, Climate Change Hasn’t Gone Away Just Because of COVID-19.” Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/lauratenenbaum/2020/04/06/sorry-climate-change-hasnt-gone-away-just-because-of-covid-19/#6eb6d8904e7b

UN News. “First Person: COVID-19 is not a silver lining for the climate, says UN Environmental chief.” https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/04/1061082

As of April 17, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that there have been 2,160,207 confirmed cases of COVID-19 throughout the world, with 146,088 recorded deaths so far. In Canada, the number of cases has surpassed 34k. There’s no doubt how this virus has devastated the world, and if measures to curb it aren’t followed to the tee, the cases and deaths will keep rising.

While it has brought terrible effects to how we work, study, socialize, travel, shop, and others, there are members of our communities who experience far harrowing results of the pandemic, such as inadequate health care, food insecurity, shelter and housing limitations, and others.  As such, we can lend a hand to the vulnerable by informing ourselves of the issues they face during this crisis and work together to ease their burdens.

Youth

Our youth may bear the brunt of this pandemic as their way of life has been disrupted and they may not have the maturity and life experience needed to deal with the stress that comes with this particular crisis. Thus, their mental health could be greatly affected, and we can lend a hand as much as we can by donating or supporting organizations that support the cause to protect our youth from this crisis, like the Kids Help Phone.

In addition, kids who live in low-income neighbourhoods across the country may be faced with health and food insecurity issues as well. Before the coronavirus hit, it was estimated that more than one million Canadian children were affected by food insecurity, and the number will likely increase as COVID-19 continues its rampage. You can help by reaching out to organizations like The Breakfast Club of Canada which started emergency fund and campaign called #FeedKidsNow. Other organizations to keep in mind are Canadian Feed the Children, UNICEF Canada, Canadian Centre for Child Protection, Adopt4Life, and SOS Children’s Village.

Economically disadvantaged communities

Food insecurity has long been an issue in Canada, something that’s surprising given that it is considered a developed nation and its abundance of resources. Unfortunately, according to Statistics Canada, at least 9% of Canadian households or 3.2 million individuals faced food security issues from 2017 until 2018. That number will only increase given the effects of COVID-19 to food supply.

Fortunately, there are a slew of food banks and organizations that recognizes this problem and are determined to work to solve it, like the Daily Bread Food Bank, Canada’s largest group of food banks.  Other groups that are making an effort to provide individuals access to food are Food Banks Canada, Greater Vancouver Food Bank, Calgary Food Bank, Ottawa Food Bank, Leftovers Rescue Food, North York Harvest, Second Harvest, The Stop, and Feed Nova Scotia.

Seniors

Since WHO declared the novel coronavirus 2019 as a pandemic, there hasn’t been a day that goes by where we hear of news of a senior being affected. Our elderly population are among the most likely to develop severe complications or worse, die from the virus. At the same time, a number of them are also dealing with feelings of loneliness or isolation as their contact to the outside world have been limited.

You can help the seniors within your community by offering to get their supplies and drop those off at the door or encouraging them to use technology to connect with their loved ones. Other senior members of our population face financial and food insecurity, so reach out to organizations like Meals on Wheels, HelpAge Canada, Alzheimer Society of Canada, Calgary Seniors’ Resource Society, St. Michael’s Extended Care Society, and Seniors First B.C. to help.

Indigenous communities

Majority of indigenous communities in Canada don’t have access to immediate health care like us in urban centres, and thus many of our indigenous brothers and sisters are bracing themselves for the full impact of the pandemic. They would benefit from receiving emergency supplies and being provided with transportation of people with health conditions. Emergency food services like KahnawakeShakotiia’takehnhas Community Services for the Mohawk community in Quebec, which recently launched a large food drive also help them deal with food insecurity.

Other groups who focus their aid to help the First Nations are Water First, True North Aid, Native Women’s Association of Canada, Anishnawbe Health Foundation, NiijkiwendidaaAnishnaabekwewag Services Circle, Raven Trust, and The Circle.

People with disabilities

During this pandemic, we can’t ignore our brothers and sisters with physical and intellectual disabilities. Most of them rely on social services and with the physical distancing rules in place, they have limited access to their support workers, or worse, no access at all. Fortunately, there are local organizations such as the Society for Manitobans with Disabilities, which provides COVID-19 resources, or national non-profits such as the CNIB Foundation to help them with social services, health care, and information.

Other organizations with the same goal in mind are CNIB Foundation, March of Dimes Canada, Society for Manitobans with Disabilities, Variety – The Children’s Charity of Ontario, and Disability Alliance B.C.

SOURCES

https://www.vicnews.com/news/covid-19-threatens-the-food-security-of-millions-of-canadians/

https://www.macleans.ca/society/coronavirus-where-to-donate-and-how-to-help-canadas-most-vulnerable/

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

“The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all,” the Emperor says to Mulan to encourage her to remain optimistic and not give up the fight against a common enemy in the Disney class “Mulan.” The world now faces the greatest enemy it has ever encountered in recent times in the form of a pandemic as the number of COVID-19 cases has surpassed 2 million and still counting. However, despite this heartbreaking catastrophe, we’ve seen heroes and heroines left and right that gives us hope and reassures us that things will get better soon. They’ve proven that flowers bloom even under the direst of circumstances.

We’ve seen this altruistic heroism in everyday folk—healthcare workers, sanitation workers, grocery and supermarket clerks, mail carriers, journalist, community workers, truck drivers, and a lot more—as they remain dedicated and focused to their duties to the public. These people deserve a salute as they sacrifice their time to be with their families and their own health to ensure the world keeps on turning.

We’ve also seen individuals give us a glimmer of hope that the world is still a good place despite what’s happening and that all we have to do is remain faithful and strong and keep working together. Below is a look at these uplifting stories that show there’s a silver lining.

The kindness postcard

Social media is an efficient way for us to connect with each other during this time, and that’s what exactly what Becky Wass of Cornwall in the U.K. did—with a traditional twist. Wass created a postcard that said “Hello! If you are self-isolating, I can help” to encourage people to let her know if they need help with shopping or sending mail or simply wanted a phone call to alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation. Wass’ husband posted an image of the postcard on Twitter with the #hashtag #viralkindness, and it quickly went viral. Around the world, a similar gesture is happening where people offer help for grocery shopping and the like for those who are unable to.

Impromptu concerts

Music always manages to bring people together, and before Lady Gaga curated the “One World — Together At Home” concert as a tribute to healthcare workers and other frontline workers worldwide, the folks over at Siena, Italy had the same thing in mind back in March 13, only a few days after COVID-19 was declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). Italy, however, was already hit hard at that time, and thus the neighbourhood decided to warm everyone’s heart by singing an Italian song on their balcony. Since then, a lot of countries followed suit, including Canada. Perhaps the most noteworthy concert has been of Andrea Bocelli on Easter Sunday who serenaded everyone while located in Milan’s Duomo cathedral. Catch him on youtube “Amazing Grace” and you’ll get chills… the good kind of chills.

Connecting with visuals

The elderly population continues to bear the brunt of the novel coronavirus 19, and because they are in high risk of contracting complications, most hospitals and healthcare facilities implement a no-visitors policy, while ensuring that the healthcare professionals who attend to them are properly equipped from head to toe, from masks to face shields to protective suits. A doctor in Dallas, Dr. Elizabeth Paulk, sensed that this can be truly devastating for the patients, thus she and her team come up with visuals to introduce herself and her team. These include their names and greetings, and she personally shares a personal photo of her with her two kids. Other similar gestures have popped up around the world were healthcare workers arrange phone calls or video conferences for patients and their loved ones.

Saving with stories

While efforts from celebrities to spread a positive message doesn’t always work out and deliver embarrassing results (a good example is Gal Gadot and her friends singing John Lennon’s “Imagine”), there are those whose efforts are successful and praise-worthy. Two of those leading the charge are American actresses Amy Adams and Jennifer Garner who launched Save with Stories via Instagram where they and their friends read children’s books aloud to raise money for charity. The page already has more than 200k followers and over 100 celebrity readers.

The wedding must go on

People always say that love conquers all, and this is something a Michigan couple believed in strongly. After the outbreak thwarted Amy Simonson and Dan Stuglik’s wedding plans, they decided that the show still must go on. So they enlisted the help of Menasha Packaging Co. to make cutouts that resemble guests. The cutouts came in all kinds of shapes–tall and short, young and old, with long hair, short hair and ponytails—and they were placed in an empty church to align with the state’s physical distancing orders. It wasn’t exactly the wedding of their dreams but it came close. Other couples around the world have also decided the virus is not reason enough to stop their respective weddings, some even choosing to get married in balconies and other creative ways.

SOURCES

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/getting-married-amid-covid-19-this-couple-found-a-crafty-solution-to-save-their-big-day-1.4880479

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/04/covid19-coronavirus-reading-books-online-social-media-authors/

https://edmonton.citynews.ca/2020/04/14/a-phone-call-a-song-small-gestures-soothe-covid-19-stress/

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/16/coronavirus-compassion-the-kindness-postcard-and-other-heartwarming-gestures.html

https://globalnews.ca/news/6673940/italy-singing-coronavirus-quarantine/

We all know that COVID-19 has changed our lives. While it has obviously turned things upside down, there’s no excuse not to  educate one’s self about the pandemic and delve deep into facts, not tall tales. It’s also a helpful activity to enrich our vocabulary and adapt it to what’s going on in the world now. Below is a look at COVID-19-related lingo that has inched their way into our daily vocabulary.

Epidemic

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines an epidemic as an occurrence of health-related events in a specific region that’s beyond normal in terms of the number of cases. Variables like the surrounding population, previous experience, exposure, time and location are considered for the WHO to qualify an illness as an epidemic.

Pandemic

A few months from now after we all this is over and done with, asking “Where were you on March 11 when Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director General , declared COVID-19 as a pandemic?” That was the day that changed everything. A pandemic is described  as a worldwide spread of a new disease, and thus referring to this novel coronavirus 19 as a global pandemic is redundant.

Lockdown

China, Italy and France were the first countries to know this jargon through personal experience. It refers to the government-imposed ban on any movement inside the country and the closing of all nonessential businesses.

Shelter-in-Place

While not as commonly used as lockdown, shelter-in-place has found its way into our daily vocabulary when California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a shelter-in-place, or stay-at-home, order on March 19, which mandated social distancing and enforced home isolation.

Flattening the curve

This is certainly a term we look forward to hearing when we watch the news. Flattening the curve refers to a collective action to decrease or slow down the number of new cases. Flattening the curve measures include social distancing and self-isolation.

Mitigation

Once a virus spreads quickly, the focus isn’t how to get rid of it completely, it shifts to how to lessen its severity and slow down its spread. Mitigation measures include testing people displaying minor to major symptoms and identifying their contacts if the results are positive.

Essential vs. Nonessential businesses and services

In Canada, the responsibility of categorizing what would be essential businesses and services vs. non-essential fell primarily on provincial or territorial governments. Essential refers to businesses and services that need to operate despite the impositions on quarantine and physical distancing because we can’t do without them. These include health care, grocery and supermarkets, transportation, sanitation, social services, courier and mail, banks, and others. Non-essential are those we can do without for the meantime like salons, theaters, gyms, museums, casinos, sports venues and others.

Nonessential Travel

Non-essential travel is any domestic or international travel that is recreational or personal in nature, such as heading to Buffalo, NY for shopping.

Self-Quarantine

Since COVID-19 symptoms manifest any time between 1 day to 14 days, people who have come to contact with those who contracted the virus are recommended to self-quarantine for at least 14 days to see whether or not they will become ill and contagious. Self-quarantining involves staying at home at all times, not accepting any visitors, practicing social distancing measures in your household and outside, and not sharing personal things like utensils.

Self-Isolation

Self-isolation is a term used when someone has been confirmed to have COVID-19 and they have to stay away from the uninfected.

Social Distancing

Social distancing, which is probably the favourite term that has come out of COVID-19 times, refers to the conscious decision to create ample physical space (at least 6 feet) between people to  avoid spreading illnesses. Social distancing can sometimes be referred to as physical distancing.

SOURCES

https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2020-03-17/coronavirus-glossary

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/regional/2020/03/20/covid-19-in-pandemic-word-definitions-shift-and-new-lexicon-emerges

https://www.accuweather.com/en/health-wellness/know-the-terms-a-complete-covid-19-pandemic-glossary/707048

With coronavirus cases skyrocketing around the world, there’s no doubt that this is the most pressing issue we are facing now. In Canada alone, there have been almost 900 recorded cases ( at the time I write this), with 12 deaths as of March 19, 2020. And while everyone is glued to their computer screens for the latest updates about the virus worldwide, another issue that needs our attention has been put aside—climate change.

Experts say that we should be as panicked with climate change as we are with the pandemic that CO-VID 19 has brought us. As we watch the news and prepare ourselves for possible economic downturns worldwide, we should continue to be vigilant of the effects of climate change as well.

Eventually, climate change will not only cause environmental disasters, it will also likely result in the disappearance of certain jobs that rely on environmental factors or are environmental-focused. Below we narrow down what these jobs could possibly be.

Farmers

With travel restrictions implemented worldwide due to CO-VID 19, farmlands may not have easy access to the temporary workers that they have been used to and this is already putting a huge dent to the industry. However, while there is a possible shortage of farm workers at present time, in 10 years’ time, that may not be the case as technology is taking over how farms operate more and more to curtail the effects of climate change. For instance, indoor farms are growing in popularity, as are laboratory-grown meats. It won’t be long until farms may be a thing of the past.

Fishermen

Technological factors contribute to fishermen becoming one of the less in demand jobs these days, including the growth of farm-raised fish. More importantly, the effects of climate change on marine life may make the job of fishermen obsolete. In addition, climate change has resulted in dwindling populations of coral reefs and mangroves, which are all necessary to sustain marine life.

Lumberjacks

With the print industry giving way to digital media, the demand for paper product decreases day by day. And because of the impact of climate change, a large number of corporations and governments starts to push towards a greener and more sustainable environment. This means that the days of lumberjacks are numbered. Even with building materials, research is in place to develop more eco-friendly alternatives.

Agricultural Workers

Agricultural workers are often seasonal workers who are hired in farms as crops ripen and are ready to be harvested. They also frequently move from one location to another. Because they work hand in hand with farmers or ranchers, the job opportunities for agricultural workers will eventually decrease due to active measures to develop more indoor farms as the threats of climate change progress.

Construction Workers

The demand for construction jobs is constant as the world clamour for residential and commercial spaces, as well as infrastructures. However, unlike with the above-mentioned examples where alternatives will likely to be more accessible, the construction industry will bear the brunt of climate change.

The World Health Organization is predicting that heat stress is likely to occur between 2030 and 2050. Heat stress happens when the body absorbs more than the tolerable amount of heat, resulting in heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke and exhaustion, increased mortality, and worsen existing health conditions. As such, the construction industry will possibly lose 30 per cent working hours, especially in Southeast Asia and West Africa.

Climate change is a real issue, but its repercussions to the employment industry are not inevitable. We should act now and work together to prevent the worst things to come.

SOURCES

https://globalnews.ca/news/5449602/climate-change-un-jobs-heat/

https://www.forbes.com/pictures/lmj45ighg/top-20-disappearing-jobs/#4555f2ed4bc5

https://www.careeraddict.com/disappearing-jobs

https://www.cheatsheet.com/money-career/jobs-that-will-be-gone-in-10-years.html/

https://undark.org/2020/03/05/economic-value-marine-life/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/coronavirus-covid-19-canada-world-march19-1.5502505

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/11/climate/nyt-climate-newsletter-coronavirus.html