Apr 11, 2020

These are extraordinary times, and many of us are feeling understandably anxious and at a loss about what to do for the best. Few of us have ever experienced anything quite like this before although history tells us not to cut any corners when it comes to pandemics.

The uncertainty of not knowing who might be carrying a highly contagious virus like COVID-19 and how long we will have to continue to keep apart from friends and family is very unsettling, but it’s not too much of a hardship compared to the consequences of ignoring the advice of the experts.

What we do know for sure is that it will eventually be brought under control and that will happen much sooner if we all comply stringently with distancing ourselves from one another, avoid busy public spaces as much as possible and keep washing our hands regularly.

Fortunately for us we live in a place where we are already pretty well isolated, and we have ample open spaces where can enjoy a solitary hike to get some fresh air and connect with the natural world. Spending time outdoors is known to help reduce anxiety and stress and even just watching and listening to the birds in your back yard is a wonderful way of winding down.

We are also extremely fortunate to live in a relatively small community where we know how to look out for each other, and we have such amazing support from our wonderful health workers and providers of essential provisions.

It’s up to all of us to work together to help overcome this disease. On March 13th we closed the EarthFair Store and the Iris Griffith Centre for the foreseeable future, and we have postponed our entire Nature School program for as long as necessary. We are also now conducting all our meetings by video link. But we are still working away at the Lagoon Society every day and we hope to have some very good news about our progress on that front very soon.

Here are some ways in which we can all help each other to get through these difficult times.

1. Check in with your elderly neighbours to see if they need anything
2. Donate to the food bank
3. Pick up supplies ordered online for your friends who are in quarantine after travelling abroad
4. Support local restaurants by ordering take-out meals

Stay safe,

Dr. Michael Jackson
Executive Director