I’m 37 years old. I had a peaceful childhood during which I could go out to play without my mom being able to track me via GPS… I’d come home when I was hungry and play carefree. I wasn’t afraid of strangers or of getting sick.
I remember significant events, such as the famous solar eclipse, during which—even with my welding helmet on—I was afraid of losing my sight… That left a deep impression on my imagination… I have a clear memory of that day: I even remember the nice weather and the warmth outside… I could describe that day to you even though I was only in elementary school at the time.
I also recall that evening of November 25, 1988—that famous night when the earth shook in my rural area near the epicenter, where we experienced a 6.2 on the Richter scale for a few seconds. Those few seconds left me absolutely terrified of earthquakes. Noticing just how much these brief, inconsequential events have affected me, I can’t help but draw a parallel with what’s happening right now.
We’re in quarantine—I’m 37 years old, and I’ve never experienced anything like this. Never in 37 years have I been afraid of the spread of a potentially deadly disease. When I talk to my teenagers, I can’t help but realize that they’ll be shaped by this event. What’s more, I’m a nurse, which makes the situation even more unique for them. The fact remains that any person whose personality is still developing will be shaped by an event like the one we’re experiencing with COVID-19.
As a parent, I try to be reassuring, but I realize that the naivety I had as a child and young adult won’t be the same for them. I grew up believing that such an event was either impossible or highly unlikely. I used to see Hollywood disaster movies as mere entertainment and incredible exaggeration, and I’d say that even contributed to my belief that a pandemic would probably never happen. I’ve never experienced the constraint of having to stay home at the government’s request. There’s a naivety that’s impossible to maintain for a teenager or a child old enough to understand who is living through this. Never again will they live life with the carefree attitude of someone who believes that this kind of event is impossible. Never again will our children have that naivety when it comes to illness.
What we’re going through right now will go down in history. What we’re experiencing in this dark moment will be etched forever in our kids’ minds, and in their childhood memories, there will be this realization that it is possible... In their life experiences, there will be that time when everything shut down, that time when they weren’t allowed to go to school or go out in public. While for us adults, just a few weeks ago, this was unimaginable, they will never go through life thinking that life cannot turn into a Hollywood scenario, because they will have lived through it...
Beyond all this madness surrounding toilet paper, as adults, it’s up to us to help them navigate this situation as calmly as possible, with a sense of civic responsibility that’s more composed than ever. Even if they’ll never forget it, let’s try to show them beauty, collaboration, mutual aid, and all the best that humanity has to offer—so that, in the end, they’ll believe in humanity more strongly than in their fear of a catastrophe! It’s society’s responsibility to give them at least that, so that a little innocence remains amid all this madness.
2020 will be a turning point; there will be a “before” and an “after” Covid-19... Let’s make sure the “after” is better than the “before” so that this generation of future citizens doesn’t become a disillusioned one. Let’s create movements of solidarity; let’s return to basic values. It’s important to realize that life has taken an incredible turn and that it’s up to us to rebuild the world for our children, starting with a joyful quarantine! After all, I’d like my children not to be afraid of other people the way I’m afraid of an earthquake! So, peace, gang! No fighting over a fear of running out of toilet paper—we’re stronger than that!
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the healthcare workers, everyone involved in disinfection—whether directly or indirectly—and even those who’ll be looking after our children… To those worried about their finances, I want to say that Quebec has some of the most generous people; they won’t let you down.
If you’re reading this on Friday night, let’s flash our lights at 8:30 p.m. to let everyone know we’re here and that we’re going to get through this! It’s a small gesture that can bring joy to children and make people everywhere feel less alone! Let’s see if we can let a little bit of Jean-Marc make us smile again, even 25 years later!!!