Opinion

People always seem to think that laws monitoring behaviour don’t apply to them. Let’s say you’re on Highway 10, driving out of Flin Flon and you go through the Big Island or Bakers Narrows area.

Straddling the provincial border between Saskatchewan and Manitoba gives Flin Flonners a unique perspective on a lot of things, including COVID-19.

I'm not typically one to shy away from opinions in these columns. It's kind of what I do here. I enjoy being a contrarian from time to time and having the occasional hot take. This one isn't hot.

COVID-19 has impacted every aspect of all of our lives, but one thing keeps jumping out in my mind while watching regional, national and international news coverage on the outbreak - I am so incredibly glad I am not an American right now.

Heartfelt thanks to the many businesses who have continued to communicate with their clients through our newspaper and website.

Let’s talk about who’s essential, who isn’t and how we should respond to that. When the Manitoba government’s official list of essential employees was listed last month, I was surprised at just how long the list was.

How fast the world has changed. Even in our little corner of the world, we are mostly housebound.

It’s very easy to feel depressed or upset with the way the world is right now. COVID-19 is scary and we don’t know what to expect tomorrow, next week, next month or next year. I think there’s a positive that we can draw from this situation.

There can be no doubt about the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic. As we have watched developments overseas with the horrific spread of the virus in so many countries, we are reminded of what is at stake here in Canada.

This column is not aimed at any one person or group. There are some aspects of COVID-19 that have scared me, confused me and others that have upset me.