I am resolute to ensure that I emerge better and stronger when we see light shining forth at the end of the tunnel.
Olufemi Oshinowo
The street was so quiet today that you could practically hear the sound of a pin drop when I went out for my routine walk. This is strange and unusual from the way it used to be: the noise from the busy traffic, the sight of people standing in groups chatting, the sight of crowded buses during peak hours are all gone. On getting back home, I was lost in thought about what may be the reason for this sudden change when I heard the breaking news: “A novel virus known as Covid-19 is on a rampage to destroy the human race. The measures that have been found to mitigate the spread of the virus are to stay at home, observe social distancing among people, regular washing of hands and isolating oneself if feeling sick……It is a Pandemic.” The news went on and on and I hadn’t noticed that I had broken out in cold sweat, trembling at the same time. Is the news real? I was wondering.
Stay at home? I said to myself. For how long will this go on? The answer eluded me and it dawned on me that we were in for a big fight against a strong yet unfamiliar biological enemy, and winning became a must for the world. I decided to keep myself informed through credible sources of information like CTV Winnipeg and Winnipeg Free Press and also follow diligently the mitigation protocols as advised by the Manitoba Health Ministry. However, the question of what to do with my time while staying at home craved for answers. I felt I should follow the path that Heartland made popular through their seamless migration of classes online, showing me the route to empower myself using online resources while the pandemic lasted. I chose to be open-minded and optimistic that our leaders and everyone on the frontline will discover the weapon to defeat this enemy. I am resolute to ensure that I emerge better and stronger when we see light shining forth at the end of the tunnel. Until then, I will stay home, stay safe, stay informed and stay empowered because winning is a must.