Canadian press
Staff
Many Canadians are establishing new Thanksgiving traditions as the COVID-19 pandemic cuts the size of family meals, while some who are separated from loved ones try to find other ways to be thankful
As the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic hits the country, Canadians from coast to coast are being asked to limit the size of their Thanksgiving gatherings or keep them entirely virtual
Canada’s director of public health said the worrying spike in infections last week means some guests may be missing from the Thanksgiving table
But Dr Theresa Tam said the best way for Canadians to show their gratitude on this holiday is to protect each other by staying away from anyone outside of their immediate circle.
« What is generally a special tradition for many Canadians, will serve as a harsh reminder of how much we sacrifice to protect ourselves, those we love and our communities, » Tam said in a statement Sunday.
« As difficult as it may be, we need to keep on the right track and re-commit, for ourselves and our loved ones, to following the public health practices that have helped us flatten the curve in the spring. »
As the daily number of cases continues to rise in some provinces, increased restrictions went into effect in several hot spots ahead of the long weekend
In Quebec, which reported 942 new cases on Sunday, almost every community along the St. Lawrence River is now considered a « red zone » Prime Minister François Legault begged Quebecers to put public health before desire to host large holiday gatherings
Ontario Premier Doug Ford urged people to stick to their immediate homes, saying it was too risky to extend the celebration to the current limit of gathering inside 10 people
This message came as the province imposed tougher restrictions on hard-hit areas of Toronto, Ottawa and the Region of Peel
Ontario reported 649 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, a significant drop from Friday’s historic high of 939 new infections
After the province set this new record, Susan Torrie of Ottawa made the bittersweet decision to forgo her plans to meet outdoors with her brother’s family in favor of what she called a « Zoomsgiving »
Torrie said each household wore fall-themed outfits and plush turkey hats, sitting at their virtually reclining table to share a meal and play board games
« It wasn’t quite the same, but we felt like it was the best we could do and I think in its own way it’s going to be a great memory of that »
Madelaine Wight in Winnipeg said Zoom could become part of future festivities as constraints from COVID-19 have forced her to find creative ways to mark her first Thanksgiving since getting sober
In a normal year, Wight said she would likely be sitting at her grandmother’s table eating her family turkey. But since she can’t see her grandparents safely, the 27-year-old said she is cooking her first bird to mark the start of a « new tradition » with her children and father.
And although pandemic precautions have kept her away from some loved ones, Wight said Zoom also allowed her to vacation with family members as far away as Honduras.
« Now we can be a little closer to each other, and I (I can see) the family that wouldn’t necessarily have been part of our meal »
In some ways, Leanne Shaw believes the pandemic has diverted Thanksgiving attention from family obligation and allowed people to reconnect with the spirit of giving.
Shaw recently separated from her husband and is not working while raising four children, two of whom were in hospital last month All she could afford for Thanksgiving dinner was a turkey, so she posted to a Toronto caremongering group to see if strangers would donate food to help her fill her family’s plates.
Within hours, benefactors had dropped off a full line of supplies and side dishes, Shaw said.
“I call them my family,” she said “I introduce (my children) to people when they come Because I want them to know when they are older, if someone needs help and you are able to help him, help him «
Yet the pandemic is preventing many Canadians from sharing their gratitude with loved ones on this holiday
Amanda Northrup wants her to be in Moncton, NB, giving back to the community with the Humanity Project, a group she credits for giving her the strength to seek help with her addiction issues
Northrup, 38, moved to Winnipeg earlier this year for treatment and had plans to return east to spend Thanksgiving volunteering with family of his choice
But she said it wasn’t possible, between New Brunswick’s strict travel rules and her limited funds after being laid off in June
“I’m hungry, I’m alone and I’m sad,” said Northrup “I’m grateful to always be there and I’m grateful to be clean And even though I’m alone I’m very grateful to have a roof over my head «
Even in the so-called « Atlantic bubble », where the number of cases has increased in recent times, officials urge people to limit their gatherings
New Brunswick reported 14 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing the province’s active total to 71, while PEI reported two new cases
A Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner is presented in Toronto on Tuesday 25, 2012 (Nathan Denette / THE CANADIAN PRESS)
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Canadian Thanksgiving
News from the world – CA – Canadians create Thanksgiving traditions in the COVID era as cases soar and restrictions increase
