City Notebook: Getting used to the abnormal

By COLLIN GALLANT on April 11, 2020.

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant

How are we doing, Medicine Hat? OK, I hope.

Have we wrapped our heads around it yet? Adjusted to the “new normal?” Exhausted our imaginations? Burned out our TV screens? Rearranged the furniture enough times?

It’s time to admit that things are upside down, but also that the view from here is revealing.

It’s been a standing complaint for sometime that people just didn’t have time for this our that, to pay attention to a particular issue, to do the things they would like, or need to get done. Of course there’s stress and worry, and hanging on hold for info about stressful and worrying things like income support programs and mortgage deferrals. Raise your hand if income taxes got shelved some time back.

Like many I rushed home to set up a home workspace a few weeks back. After a mighty fight with a new computer system, I now feel adjusted to a new reality.

There’s a new time scale, even within the fast-paced avenue of collecting and writing news. Like many things it’s both faster and slower.

It’s given me a new view of being a parent, as well, getting to see what happens between what used to be mostly busy breakfasts and busier bedtimes during the week.

I’ve always prided myself on not being a workaholic dad. I don’t like saying things like “Dad is babysitting today,” because it makes it sound like something special.

But 2020 has taught me that I’ve missed out on a lot.

One morning last week I discovered that my two-year-old daughter knows the difference between “happy and sad” – shown by twirling the mouth upside down on her Mrs. Potato Head – and the concept of “here and there” – which is kind of mind-boggling.

As it turns out, I’m all four things at once.

I’m sad for obvious reasons, but I’m happy to appreciate the little things, the ability tp do things without watching a clock or needing to rush somewhere to entertain the kids with something new. After initial panic to heap activities on to the kids, we figured out they’re happy to focus on one thing or entertain themselves.

I’m also “here” in the same way we are all wherever we are, but also alert to a new concept of everywhere.

Get at it

Speaking of time on our hands, for a decade it’s been lamented that the membership in local service clubs is declining as baby boomers slow down and younger people are too busy in the modern world or don’t like structured volunteering.

This week the heads of four international service clubs signed a letter of solidarity that their combined membership will remain active to help communities. Local club leaders agree, the News reported this week, adding they would be happy to have your help.

“When people are home during this time, they’ll have some time to reflect, and realize that community is something that is so important,” said Karen Holmstrom, president of the Medicine Hat Optimists Club, one of more than a dozen local organizations clubs that come to mind.

A look ahead

Trash and yard waste moves to Zone 3 on Monday, meaning crews will that day complete a full seep of the city’s five zones of green bins having started one week earlier than usual. So let’s go, Zone 3!

The News will keep you up to date with the latest COVID news, and also look deeper into the city’s financial situation, and Hatters’ efforts to keep at it (feel free to let us know about your uplifting stories)

Collin Gallant covers city politics and a variety of topics for the News. Reach him at 403-528-5664 or via email at cgallant@medicinehatnews.com