This piece was submitted by guest writer Janyne Hodder, who worked for decades in the field of education: Assistant Deputy Minister for Quebec’s Ministry of Education, Principal of Bishop’s University, President of the University of the Bahamas and now a consultant to various non profit organizations.
I am 70 years old. There, acknowledged; though few would think I’m a day over 55. Last week, while I was serenely working my way through the 14 day self-isolation required as a result of a recent trip, I heard Premier Legault instruct people 70 and over to stay home. It was a slap, not a mean one, just the kind one might feel waking suddenly from a dream. For a moment, with a fleeting flash of vanity, the kind you might already have noticed I am prone to display, I was convinced he had said people over 70. But no, he had indeed said people 70 and over. That meant me. I understood that I could still go for walks, but it is winter where I live, and roads are icy. I could see myself tumbling into the emergency room we’re trying to keep empty to better handle the coming onslaught of COVID-19 patients, humbled by some fall injury. And, really, I have a perfectly good treadmill.
My family, amused at this shock to my system, started making jokes about me being carded in shops should I venture out. It was funny enough until the Société des Alcools (SAQ), otherwise known as the Quebec wine and booze store, actually did card someone last week. It seems as though an over-zealous employee thought his role included enforcement. The SAQ has since apologized, but it left me wondering. What would one do with a 70-year-old trying to find a bottle of wine or two before joining friends on the now trending Zoom.com cocktail hour? I hear the Saskatchewan Premier is talking fines and police intervention. Arrests, really sir? Most jurisdictions are trying to empty their prisons, not fill them up with high risk COVID-19 candidates.
My family also engaged in another debate about personal freedom and ageism. That one is a bit of a red herring. If we were told this virus was more virulent in children aged three to ten, we would all be appalled if parents of young children were strolling around, paying no attention to government instructions about the risk to their children. Now, we also know that in addition to wishing us — the seniors as they say — good health, governments would really prefer us not to clog up the health system. No one wants to see health professionals carry out the triage they’ve been forced to do in Italy.
But what strikes me is not so much that the health system would like not to have to choose between treating me or someone 20 years younger, a choice I fear would not be in my favour. That seems fairly sensible and the thought of being the object of such a choice is indeed mildly disagreeable.
No, what strikes is the competency, the courage and the commitment to care that health professionals are demonstrating. These are our brothers, sisters, children, family and friends. In my case, that includes my recently happily retired sister-in-law called back to service to help set up the testing centres. I really don’t want to make them sick. In fact, I don’t want to make anyone sick.
Well, my fourteen days are up and I am still home alone. Slight social distress; no respiratory distress. Not so bad really. I tell myself that maybe I will declutter my house, something I have been meaning to do. But maybe what I really will do is contribute, in a very small way, to flattening the damn curve.
Happy spring.
P.S. Janyne’s husband of over 30 years died on January 15, 2020 from cancer. Devastating and yet, she manages to keep her sense of humour in these trying times. •
Judy Hopps says
Pam, thanks for sharing. It is disconcerting to think that I, too, am in that 70 and over group and must stay home. Loved reading Janyne’s perspective. The first thing to be denied was skiing – all ski hills were closed on March 14th. No spring skiing! I think we will no longer take our freedom for granted once life returns to “normal”. Maybe we will all be content with a more modest lifestyle. Stay safe, stay healthy.
Pam McPhail says
Spring skiing is the best! Oh well, it will occur in 2021 for you. Our equivalent in Vancouver is the closing of all public tennis courts. Yes. Stay safe, stay healthy.
Sonya Bardati says
Very well done Janyne. Yep, I am on the cusp of 80, just got back from Arizona and just started my 14 days. I am not feeling socially impoverished yet, but I could see that it will most likely occur. As you knew me, I am still very active and when my quarantine is over and if B.C. does not decree a lockdown for us old foggies, well I will be on my bike again, meanwhile gardening will keep me out of mischief. The very thing I noticed when pandemic occurs, the friends and neighbours are so supportive, God bless them.
Pam McPhail says
Physical/social distancing will last for a considerable time, but once we’re through our quarantine (day 6 for Glen and me) we can get active again in the great outdoors.
Tanya Loretto says
Hey Pam; thanks for this. We need some lightheartedness in this time of strangeness and uncertainty. Blessings, Tanya
Grant McPhail says
Thank god I’m only 67 and can still buy wine! If you can find Onanole MB on the map you can see that we are quite well geographically quarantined. However everyone at the coop store keeps a polite distance. Dale and I are about 3 weeks alone. She tested negative after coming back from the US with what turned out to be pneumonia. Much better now and we are still getting along.
Thank you for Janyne’s letter. I’d love to meet her.
Pam McPhail says
I seem to recall that Dale met Janyne years ago at a function that involved Brandon University. Maybe Pat Britton did too.
Brandon is keeping us supplied with groceries and wine!
Marie McLean says
Great article Janyne. Great to be able to laugh at our reactions to this crisis.
Glen Wickens says
Well said, Janyne. The 14 day self-isolation for all travellers returning from abroad should probably be the rule for all seniors whether they have travelled or not. Pam and I will continue to isolate ourselves as much as possible well beyond 14 days. Given my age, a hoary 72, I feel safest when doing my best not to catch the virus. Here self-interest coincides with the greater good, so I hope legal enforcement of government recommendations will not be necessary for those of us who have reached the sunset years. And yes, four cheers for the health care professionals on the front line in this strange war against an unseen enemy. Now back to cleaning the condo. I just hope Spring cleaning does not mean cleaning and decluttering for the whole Spring.
Nina McPhail says
Thank you Pam and Janyne. We can all use a dose of common sense and humour during these trying times. We are self-isolating as much as possible as a family. Erin and her partner are starting to work long shifts at Ontario Shores. The hospital is preparing a Covid 19 isolation unit to be ready for any incoming patients in the weeks to come. Hopefully, with public support and paying serious attention to the crises, we and our brave health care workers will be able to flatten the curve so that everyone, seniors, current patients and people of all ages with underlying conditions will have access to the best health care we have in this country. Tim and I are keeping busy, reading ebooks, watching a lot of tv series, walking the dogs, spring cleaning and decluttering. Spring cleaning and decluttering? Tim?, you ask? Well, that would be me. My main job as a self isolating senior is to look for TP for 3 households and find a time early in the morning to beat the crowds. However, there are no crowds anywhere (nor is there any TP) anymore. However, the stores have implemented safe spacing and other measures, so maybe we will manage to flatten the curve enough to keep us all safe.
Nina McPhail
Pam McPhail says
Thanks for your comments, Nina, some humourous, some serious. So far I don’t have to ask you to mail TP to a 4th household.
Ian M Wallace says
COVID-19 news from a small English village: Residents were divided into two groups, old and young. Each of the elderly was paired with a younger member of the community who would help out with grocery shopping, wine procurement, etc. Very simple. Everyone taken care of. Serious community co-operation and bonding. Will this happen in our Vancouver apartment block of 104 units? Quite possibly not. I will let you know…
Pam McPhail says
A couple in our building put up a cheerful announcement in the lobby saying they’d happily shop and deliver for anyone in need. Then our strata president also made the offer. A crisis can bring out the good in people.