A commentary by a substitute teacher from Victoria working in Gjoa Haven, Nunavut
We were told on March 16 that Nunavut schools would be shutting down for the next three weeks. The importance of practising social distancing, before the virus had even spread to the Northwest Territories, was of the utmost importance. In fact, it was education in and of itself.
We were afforded something the rest of Canada was not — practice. This is ultimately a decision that is in the best interest of everyone, in a community that is so vulnerable.
In a community of 1,600 people, a one per cent casualty rate would be 16 people. I wouldn’t personally know all of them, but I can guarantee you that the rest of the community would.
Sixteen grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, sisters, brothers, friends. The statistics up here quickly turn into a stark reality of 16 funerals — 16 funerals family members might not be able to attend.
There are two grocery stores and one health centre. No permanent doctors, only nurses. In a community of known housing issues, social distancing becomes difficult.
The vulnerability is palpable. In most of these circumstances we want to turn to those closest to us — family. Here, we are asking family to stay away.
What we do once COVID-19 is here is up to our government and our community. But deciding if it will hit our community at all is up to the rest of Canada.
Since our own self-isolation has begun, we’ve been able to watch the news every day. Every day we are left wondering what is going on in the south.
The picture from Kitsilano Beach in Vancouver told us that society was not acting as a single, solid unit. We are connected to each other more than we know. A breakdown in the self-isolation chain does affect us all.
Here we are in Nunavut, knowing that our health centre will not be able to handle this crisis. Here we are knowing that our best defence is that the pandemic never touches us at all. Our community is not made up of international travelers or even national travelers. We are not in danger of bringing this virus in on our own. It is up to the rest of Canada to stop the spread of this virus for our northern communities to be safe.
Our livelihoods depend on the transportation of goods and personnel via air travel. We cannot stop the planes from travelling, we cannot stop people being on those planes. What needs to stop is the lack of societal consciousness.
However, some people seem to be working on the “it’s only” guideline.
“It’s only a cup of coffee with a friend.”
“It’s only a quick visit with my partner.”
It only takes one person to bring the virus into our community. Maintain awareness that everyone you interact with can pass it on to someone else. Let’s not allow those connections lead to the places that cannot cope.
Now is the time to take a pause. To reflect on our actions, and the impact of others. If there is doubt, there is no doubt at all.
Ignorance may be the undoing of us. Think of all the Canadians you’ve never seen or heard of. Think of all the people and of all the reasons you don’t know, let’s do it together. I don’t know you, but I feel for you. From all of us in isolated communities, we’re here Canada and we need you to remember that we’re here.
As the weeks roll by and we get closer to ending self-isolation, remember that we haven’t felt the impact yet. Please continue to work in good faith. Every time, you step out your door, keep us in mind, Canada.
