First Rant Of 2021

How was everyone’s holiday season? If you’re like me, it probably wasn’t very traditional. The first time in eight years that my family wasn’t together for Christmas dinner and the first time ever that we didn’t get together at least once during the week of Dec. 24 to Jan. 1.
We followed the rules set out by our political leaders to help “flatten the curve” of new Covid 19 cases.
Small gatherings and travel only when necessary. It was sad and difficult. Everyone I’ve spoken to made an effort to stay with the plan. Together as a nation we almost certainly saved some lives and took some of the pressure off the clinics and hospitals.
Meanwhile, we had more than a dozen politicians jetting off to the US, the Caribbean and Europe. One, our Ontario finance minister Rod Phillips, while vacationing in St. Barts, even posted a series of tweets showing him at home and extending holiday wishes! His office admitted later that the photos were shot before Dec. 13.
Out of the 13 or so awol cases that have come to light, two seemed somewhat justifiable on humanitarian grounds. The rest were nothing less than hypocrisy and arrogance.
The Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, who has been very vocal and outwardly proactive about the need for reduced travel, strict lockdowns, and social distancing, knew Rod Phillips was away and didn’t order him home. That makes Mr. Ford complicit.
From Western Canada, we had politicians visiting Palm Springs, Hawaii, and several other US destinations.
All across Canada, we have been more than encouraged, in fact, almost ordered by our provincial governments to travel only when it’s essential.
My sister sat at home alone Christmas day.