This has been a very difficult week for many of us, trying to stay on top of the latest developments regarding the coronavirus known as COVID-19. We knew about it some time ago but until it finally hits home in a significant way - as it did this week - we don't keep it top of mind as perhaps we should.
To briefly recap, the World Health Organization has now officially declared it to be pandemic, with CVID-19 hitting many countries in all corners of the world now. The death toll is now significant in such countries as Italy and of course China, where it all began, but just as significant are the numbers of those affected to one degree or another.
Governments including here in Canada are responding the best they can to try to manage the outbreak and limit the deaths and those affected by the virus in some way. As a result, life as we've known it has been significantly disrupted and will continue to be for some time to come. This is not going away anytime soon, I'm afraid, so we'd best get used to what is fast becoming the new reality.
That does not, however, include panic. While concern and worry about how things will play out is understandable to some degree, full-out panic buying is not the answer, nor is it helpful for the rest of the population trying to come to grips with the same situation.
What we've seen in the past few days is remarkable, and not all for the right reasons. People are taking an every man for himself approach and not showing much if any concern for those around them. If the next person in line is unable to buy such basics as hand sanitizer or toilet paper because the person ahead of them loaded up a year's worth in one shot, well, that's their tough luck. Or so it seems.
The fact is, there is no need for the mass hysteria that seems to be breaking out. We can manage this and still be civil to one another, still show concern for our fellow man, or woman for that matter. Just use a little common sense and we'll get through this. It won't be quick, but we can lessen the pain somewhat by simply being good citizens and thinking of others as well as ourselves.
The economic impact here in Canada, as in other countries, will be far reaching and not a short-term aberration. Not to overstate the case, but it would be realistic to assume a recession of some severity will likely be the outcome with the continuous hits to the economy both here and elsewhere in the world. Some countries might manage the fallout better than others, but the grim reality could very well be a downturn in the economy as a result of COVID-19.
As hard to accept as that fact might be, it will not come without collateral damage. People might be out of work who might otherwise be gainfully employed. Consumers might be reluctant to spend once the pandemic is over for fear of a return or simply because they have taken a financial hit themselves and need to tighten their collective belts.
That is perfectly understandable under the circumstances.
But we have to be open-minded going forward and not forget those who are vulnerable, including those who rely on food banks such as Community Care of St. Catharines & Thorold. There could very well be further strain on the resources available to them due to the increased number of cases, so those who can help out certainly should.
Another area that will likely suffer both long term and short term will be the arts. In the short term concerts and events have to be cancelled due to prudency on the part of management in order to protect both their employees as well as the public that comes to the events.
That is why, in the last couple of days, the cancellations have been piling up in my inbox. Some are outright cancellations and others are postponements to a later date. But either way, those organizations are taking an unexpected financial hit and some might never recover from it.
Just since yesterday, the City of St. Catharines through an abundance of caution decided to close many social and cultural venues for the time being, including the Farmer's Market, the Welland Canal Visitors Centre & Museum, all public libraries and of course, the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre downtown.
Yes it hurts, especially if you have tickets to events such as tomorrow afternoon's Niagara Symphony concert in Partridge Hall at the PAC. That concert and others in the near future have to be cancelled as a result as there is simply no other venue suitable at the moment, and the management of said organizations such as the NSO are being prudent in their own right.
The ripple effect is significant. An orchestra or ensemble can't simply reschedule to another date usually, as schedules are planned out over a year in advance. So they can and will refund your ticket price because frankly, they can't honour the ticket you paid for.
But there is something you can do to help. Not everyone can afford to do this, admittedly, but if you can afford to, consider donating your ticket price back to the organization as a donation. They can use the money at a difficult time and it cuts down on their losses in a meaningful way. And make no mistake, there will be losses.
Not every concert or event has to be cancelled outright. Some can indeed be rescheduled or delayed, such as the Stratford Festival season for example. They announced yesterday they will cancel performances from April 11th, when they were originally scheduled to get underway, until May 2nd. There is little chance they can make up those lost performances later on in the season, but they can at least offer later dates for the shows affected.
Many simply cannot. The Niagara Symphony, for example, will simply have to bite the bullet and pass on tomorrow afternoon's Masterworks 5 concert at the PAC. Similarly, Gallery Players has cancelled their annual Movie Night scheduled for April 4th. Those two concerts and many others by various organizations will simply be lost.
Not all performances appear to be cancelled, however, so it is wise to check on the performance you were planning to attend in advance to make sure it is on before heading out. I reached out Friday to Bravo Niagara! Festival of the Arts regarding their next concert this afternoon but so far had not heard back, so I am assuming with no announcement on their website to the contrary it is still going ahead. That will be great news for fans of guitarist Milos, who is scheduled to appear at St. Mark's Anglican Church at 41 Byron Street in Niagara-on-the-Lake at 3 pm this Sunday afternoon. If you have not purchased tickets in advance they should be available at the door.
Beyond the performances though, think of those on minimum wage working in many of our restaurants for example, struggling to make ends meet at the best of times and now with perhaps reduced hours they will find it harder than ever to bridge the gap. Again if you can, why not order in from an affordable establishment thereby giving them such much needed business. And if you can increase your tip even just a little, that would be even better.
Being kind and civil to the people you meet will go a long way to making life more bearable for all, too. Especially in the case of our health-care workers throughout the system working on the front lines to deal with those affected by the virus, please be patient and above all, pleasant to them. They are doing great work and should be shown thanks and appreciation at every opportunity, not scorn.
Yes, we will be facing tough times in the days, weeks and likely months ahead. It is not going to be easy. But instead of running around thinking of where you can find more toilet paper, why not work together as a team to manage the situation in a caring, compassionate way.
What's more Canadian than that?
Have a great weekend and remember to take care of those who matter.
March 14th, 2020.
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