A lot can happen in a week.
Just seven days ago Okotoks and area residents were living relatively normal lives during the COVID-19 scare. Sure they were worried about the virus and it’s impact — not to mention tumbling oil prices — but life still consisted of taking in a high school basketball game, maybe a movie or a bite to eat.
All that changed suddenly.
Now, students will be taught at home, reruns of the Flames winning the 1989 Cup is all that’s on sports TV and restaurants are struggling as no one goes out to eat.
And drastic times, calls for drastic measures.
The closing of schools to students, limiting gatherings and other measures had to be done by Alberta Health Services to protect Albertans and to somehow attempt to get a handle on COVID-19 as its spreads not just here, but across the world.
This is uncharted territory and everyone — from Prime Minister Trudeau to the Kindergarten student who is now at home — are in this together. So far, Okotokians have proved they are willing to help one another. Facebook groups Foothills COVID-19 Volunteers and Stone Soup Okotoks have been formed to help those who need it and help with shopping and other errands — tough to do when a member of the community has put himself or herself in quarantine.
Okotoks economic development manager Angela Groeneveld hit the nail on the head when she stated “We need to pull the heartstrings of shopping local more than ever during disasters like this.”
Shop local — those businesses support local when asked.
Agencies like the Okotoks Food Bank, and others will continue to need public support. Take care of yourself and family first, but remember community.
This community has and will help each other during tough times. And these may be the toughest.
