I can go on, to anyone willing to listen, about the kind and generous nature of the people who live in this province.
Sometimes laughably so, I fear, like when, while living in Ontario, I was mid-soliloquy and caught a couple of colleagues rolling their eyes to yet another uplifting generalization about those who call this place home.
Occasionally, though, something happens that makes me think I am right to drone on as I do.
In case you missed it, a little dust-up occurred on Twitter the other day after chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang announced that some of the vaccine shipments from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick were being diverted to Canada’s North.
Strang characterized the development as “concerning to hear” but said that he understood the federal government’s rationale which is to “address the complexities and unique challenges of our northern neighbours,” which requires “the support and co-operation of all provinces.”
Now it is quite possible that Amir Attaran, the outspoken University of Ottawa professor, thought he was coming to our defence by tweeting “Ottawa taking away Nova Scotia’s vaccines strikes me as morally wrong and unfair. NS has been staunchly dedicated to zero COVID — but that is not a reason to snatch its vaccines and leave Bluenosers unprotected. By doing so Ottawa is punishing success.”
Well, it was as if some tweedy pipe-smoking Upper Canadian academic had slandered Rita MacNeil herself.
CMacK, a New Waterford girl in Halifax, replied, “we can wait a little longer if it helps people in areas harder hit.”
Catherine in Chester chimed in, “we can wait. Just like we have held the course and followed the rules, not travelling to visit family in other provinces. They need it more than we do now.”
A retired MD living in Dartmouth added, “especially if it is going to the North where there are no -60 degree freezers.”
A mom and grandmother, who calls herself Sandy, responded by typing, “We're used to helping out others here. Sadly some can't understand that this is still a thing.”
Michael, a naval vet and father living in Nova Scotia, tweeted that he had no problem with Ottawa’s decision.
Iive in NS. I have no problem with this. I don't see this as punishing us.
— Michael (@mikethenavyguy) February 13, 2021
You know what concerns me? Other provinces not taking this seriously, opening up way too soon in the face of variants of Covid. They put my Province at risk through inaction.
Neither would Mask-wearing Kelly, another Nova Scotian who said that she was, “pleased that we have done so well that we can be an example to other provinces AND provide some vaccines for those who need them more right now.”
She just wishes other provinces were a bit better at following our example. So does poli_nerd, who said that Nova Scotians are fine with the vaccine diversion, but “aren't so fine with people in Ontario not doing their part to stop the spread of Covid.”
An Albertan who goes by spycegurl was overwhelmed by all this selflessness: “The replies here make me want to move to Nova Scotia when this is all over. Sounds like they could teach us Albertans a thing or two about loving our neighbours.”
To which Beth, who considers herself “a proud bluenoser and Canadian” replied, “You would be more than welcome.”
Make no mistake, Attaran wasn’t all alone out in the Twitterverse.
When I looked at the comments Wednesday, several people felt Nova Scotia was being unfairly punished for its success in keeping COVID-19 at bay, and that his view that vaccine diversions to the north should be shared equally by all was a sound one.
Yet I have to admit it made a Nova Scotian feel good to read the words of Dakneez who describes herself as “dated but solid. Good Bones” and wrote, “I desperately want my 85-year-old mother, my disabled sister, and my 92-year-old father-in-law to get the vaccine, so it was difficult to hear some of our supply was being diverted. But we can hold the fort a bit longer here, especially if the need is greater up north.”
As it is to see someone known simply as patrick j add, “I will be in the last group of Nova Scotians to receive the vaccine and have ZERO problem with this move by Ottawa.”
Our apparent compassion has not gone unnoticed.
“Nova Scotian here in Alberta, and people from my home province making me so proud for their sharing approach,” tweeted Reg Curren.
“Nova Scotians are wonderful and this is so very generous,” gushed Sculls-STAY HOME-DON’T TRAVEL adding, “Thank you. In a time of such darkness, this brings in some light.
DK, of parts unknown, wrote “OMG reading Nova Scotian's responses to this is so refreshing. Comments about a cooperative federation. Oh my heart.”
Which, I suppose is what A dude waiting for ppl to treat ppl to like ppl meant when he tweeted, “Hey, Nova Scotians. You guys are awesome. Keep it up.”
