{"id":43954,"date":"2021-04-19T10:04:07","date_gmt":"2021-04-19T14:04:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wawa-news.com\/?p=43954"},"modified":"2021-04-19T10:04:07","modified_gmt":"2021-04-19T14:04:07","slug":"news-from-the-park-stress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wawa-news.com\/index.php\/2021\/04\/19\/news-from-the-park-stress\/","title":{"rendered":"News from the Park – “Stress”"},"content":{"rendered":"

Stress is not something that we generally think of in a positive light.\u00a0 Stress, however, can actually have positive effect on our lives.\u00a0 For example, stress can be a useful motivator in getting ourselves to take action, learn and prepare for events in our lives.\u00a0 Also we know athletes perform better with a controlled amount of stress.\u00a0 Clearly though, high, and prolonged stress is not good — we all know that.\u00a0 Like anything in life, moderation is the key.<\/p>\n

Most of us can handle stress; even high stress when necessary.\u00a0 Sometimes we have to even handle somewhat prolonged stress such as when a loved one is sick or injured.\u00a0 In general, those stresses we find manageable in that we are able to generate reasonable timelines and outcomes that are relatively foreseeable.\u00a0 Recently I heard part of a remarkably interesting CBC radio podcast in which the topic was the difference between our normal stresses in our lifetime and stresses which we are experiencing now because of the COVID-19 pandemic.\u00a0 The psychologist guest pointed out that the stresses caused by the pandemic are worse not only because of the prolonged nature of pandemic but the stresses are also magnified by the fact that everything associated with the pandemic is so unpredictable, unstable, and out of our personal control.\u00a0 The psychologist has hit the nail bang on.<\/p>\n

As I see it, experiencing this pandemic is kind of like riding a speeding rollercoaster.\u00a0 The stress of riding the standard rollercoaster is manageable because we can see the hills, valleys and turns up ahead.\u00a0 We can brace ourselves for them.\u00a0 But this pandemic rollercoaster ride we are on has unanticipated highs and lows as well as twists, turns and loop de loops that we can\u2019t see coming at us until we are suddenly upon them.\u00a0 We don\u2019t even know how long the ride will be!<\/p>\n

If we can understand beforehand that the pandemic rollercoaster<\/em> ride is \u201cdouble black diamond stressor,\u201d we can formulate expectations and strategies to helps us navigate the route with greater confidence.\u00a0 In real life, this is where our government leaders can help.\u00a0 When the pandemic hit, the government needed to develop a plan that would help us to manage to take the twists and turns as they come and instill a sense of confidence.\u00a0 Instead, what Ontarians are being subjected to is a government that is short-sighted, focusing too much on economic prosperity rather than physical and mental health.<\/p>\n

As a result not listening to public health experts and poor planning, Doug Ford marched us right into this lockdown with eyes wide open.\u00a0 Experts made it clear every step of the way: he was re-opening too quickly, taking away public health protections too soon, and implementing half-measures that would not stop the spread.\u00a0 This brutal lockdown today is of his making.<\/p>\n

Go back a year ago when it was decided for the protection of our children that schools needed to be closed until we could come up with a plan that would ensure their safe return to classes.\u00a0 Premier Ford and Education Minister Lecce promised that no expense would be spared to make our schools safe.<\/p>\n

The NDP proposed over and over again to spend money to protect our students by capping class sizes, vaccinating frontline workers, providing sick days, on-site testing, in-workplace vaccine clinics and more.\u00a0 But Mr. Ford would not spend money he has from the federal government to help protect Ontarians from the virus.<\/p>\n

And then it happened across the province.\u00a0 Students and teachers became infected and classes or entire schools had to be closed.\u00a0 The schools had to shut down early at Christmas and have a delayed start in the New Year.\u00a0 People said, \u201cSo much for a safe school plan.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now Ontario finds itself mired in a devastating third wave<\/u><\/em> that in every way pales the first and second.\u00a0 Mr. Ford and Mr. Lecce earnestly promised Ontarians that our children are safe and secure in our schools. \u00a0Every assurance was made that the schools would close for a delayed spring break and then reopen the following week.<\/p>\n