Jeff SamsonowThree years ago today was the last time I went out into the world without a mask. I had booked the day off because we were handing the keys to our condo back to the bank, ahead of our #ConsumerProposal, and it was also @sallypoulsen's birthday. Time for a #Pandemic thread, I suppose. 🧵
Sally, ahead of the curve as always, was wearing a mask when we went to the bank. Since the bank was next to an H-Mart, we stopped for some bakery treats on the way home, and I also bought my first masks. I'm wearing one inside out in #MaskSelfie no. 1.
The last three years have been simply wild. Pandemic, of course, is the top story. And then our consumer proposal (kind of like bankruptcy-light here in Canada), which was an excellent decision and I endorse exploring your financial options if personal debt is crushing you.
BTW you can literally walk away from your mortgage in Alberta (and I think Saskatchewan) if you put in a decent down payment and aren't tied to CMHC insurance. Unfortunately, not the case for us, we bought with a zero-down mortgage at the height of the boom in 2007. 🥲
We've moved twice, once to cut the condo that had proven to be the boat anchor we feared (owning a home is more a gamble than security), and again this year after our building's management made some, shall we say, less than smart choices. (Close your garage doors in winter.) https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/garneau-condo-tower-evacuated-due-to-persistent-heating-issues-1.6291588
I continue to be anti-virus and push for policies to protect people. That includes universal income supports, housing, full public healthcare (including brains, teeth and eyes), masking, testing, clean indoor air and remote work, school and life events to allow both sick people to stay home and welcome those with disabilities and chronic illness into all aspects of our communities. 😷✌🏻
I also changed jobs and helped out on two election campaigns, the latter of which have had their own social media threads and the former likely overdue for one.
While between jobs, and thankfully on #CERB, I live-tweeted the unprecedented #yegcc public hearings on Edmonton's police force and budget that followed the murder of George Floyd. Even after an election in 2021 that saw most candidates promising changes to community safety, we are still waiting and people are still being killed by our racism. #DefundThePolice
We managed to avoid #Covid19 for nearly three years, but so many folks are living a pro-virus life right now that Sally got sick during our move. Thanks to her quarantining before she even got a positive test result, and literally locking herself into the bedroom, and our use of masks and purifiers, she protected me during her infection.
My life was already better for every moment with her, everything she's taught me, and so much that we've been through together, but she saved me from Covid and I'm forever grateful. ♥️
Anyway, the pandemic isn't over. Somehow. And it continues to be a large part of all of our lives, whether you accept that or not. And I bet everyone has had a lot of other big things happen the last three years and we all need to find ways to deal with that (hello, #MentalHealthcare).
Instead of lashing out because things are hard, instead of always trying to blame someone else, or Ottawa, I hope more of us can work toward righting the so many wrongs that hurt the most people, more people, often when we can't even see it.
And happy birthday to @sallypoulsen! This is the worst birthday card ever. 🥳
sallypoulsen@jeffsamsonow this is the best thing in the world. I tend to forget how bonkers the last few years have been, and this is an amazing reminder of how lucky I am to have such an unbelievably good partner. You are my person and I love you the most. 😘😘😘😘
@sallypoulsen Right?! Like an entire lifetime in just a few years. And a once-in-century pandemic to boot. Wild.