RUSTAD -- So many questions. But this is certain, the sun will rise tomorrow

As a beautiful sunset rests on a glorious day, music from one world together plays in the background.

Swans and Canada Geese are still on the lawn gobbling up what food they can find. Dozens of ducks fly in for a landing on the small area of lake that is now ice free. For them, nothing has changed, but for the rest of us, the world is a different place that nobody has ever seen before.

The critical health impacts of a pandemic. The unknown of how it will develop. People’s livelihoods disrupted. Line ups to enter a grocery store and shelves not nearly as stocked as we are used to. Love ones isolated, not being able to reach out and be comforted. Fear, uncertainty and isolation are taking a toll on everyone.

I have spoken with so many whose small business has been significantly impacted. Many are coming to the realization that their life’s work may not survive this. So many ask me, when we will return to normal?

What will normal be? Nobody knows for sure.

How long will it be? Nobody can answer that question either.

But one thing is clear, we will likely be in isolation for about another month. After that, months of limited activity that will ebb and flow with the outcomes of the virus.

What will it take to bring this to an end?

There is hope through medical research. A treatment is the best option for a rapid solution. A vaccine would allow for herd immunity, but that may be a year or two away. And even then, just like the seasonal flu, will COVID-19 continue to mutate?

Will immunization last or will we need to take a COVID-19 shot every fall? Until we have answers, we are asked to be patient and find a new normal. Beyond that, who knows.

Will wearing masks become a daily attire? Will people be comfortable going to restaurants as much as they used to? 

Will countries turn inward and avoid global trade? Will government have to monetize their debt in a desperate attempt to balance their books?

So many questions. But this is certain: the sun will rise tomorrow.

The world will keep turning. We will need to adapt, learn and accept something different.

Change is never welcome. The only thing that will be comforting is that we will all go through this change together.

ABOUT JOHN RUSTAD:

First elected as the MLA for Nechako Lakes (2005), John previously served as the Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation ... Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations ... and as Parliamentary Secretary for Forestry.

He currently serves as the Official Opposition's critic on Forest, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations and was appointed to the Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders, and Private Bills.