MLA Report: Compassion ties us all together
By Medicine Hat News Opinion on April 16, 2020.
“Let’s all focus on the people who are helping, and be one of them.” ― Peta Kelly, Cypress-Medicine Hat and area, has in true form stepped up to help the community as a whole during this unprecedented time of crisis. We have had a few different crisis in the past here, mostly centred around floods, and the lessons that were learnt during those times have allowed everyone to come together very quickly and efficiently. I am always so proud of the way the residents of Cypress-Medicine Hat come together to protect, support, and care for those around them, and others in the community. Care is being delivered under a very different set of circumstances, in many different ways, and instead of working together in groups and sharing a hug, handshake, or a pat of understanding on the back, we are asked to step back, remaining at least 6 feet apart – in true Canadian fashion we are to visualize – a hockey stick, cow, moose, or golf club worth of distance. Cypress- Medicine Hat essential service providers who continue to go into work, under a great deal of stress and but out of concern for those around them, in order to provide their services. THANK YOU. Citizens of Cypress-Medicine Hat are delivering items to people that have to remain at home, and leaving items at the door – no exchange of pleasantries, and no contact. This is hard on everyone, we are social creatures, and we do love to visit and chat about the events that impact us. THANK YOU. Community Service Clubs have found new ways to meet and discuss how they can help the community. THANK YOU. Civil Society groups have coordinated to make sure that they are reaching everyone who needs their support, and volunteers are stepping up. THANK YOU. Companies are exploring new ways to work, and new ways to support staff and customers. Turning a business from a provider of one product, into the producer of a new product that is needed by Albertans and Canadians. So many offering their resources to the Alberta Government to try and ease the finding of supplies. Companies are finding ways to provide support for essential service workers in order to keep them and their families safe. THANK YOU. Churches had to rethink how to reach members, and had to find ways to celebrate not only regular Sunday services but, the Easter weekend. THANK YOU. Concerned individuals have found so many creative and innovative ways to reach out and create different ways to celebrate things like birthdays for children. Drive by parades, that kids watch from the door to name just one. THANK YOU. Compassion is the word that ties all of the above together. Cypress- Medicine Hat residents have truly once again shown again that compassion and care are found in abundance in our community. THANK YOU to everyone who has in their own way, stepped up to show what this community is made of. Drew Barnes is the Member of Legislative Assembly for Cypress-Medicine Hat 15-14
