Layering

“Canadians are used to layering.” so says Dr Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer. Dr Tam followed up this pronouncement with a reiteration of the public health measures she was encouraging Canadians to take . Wash your hands often. Keep your close contacts to those living in your household while keeping your social distance of at least 6 feet from all others not in your household. Wear a mask when this can’t be done. Not one of these by itself will give you protection from COVID 19, but when layered together they make a real difference. And so she was encouraging Canadians to layer up!

It is near the end of November now. The days are getting shorter. Snow is in the forecast along with wind chill warnings. As they have done for centuries, Canadians bring out the sweaters, the vests, the scarves and the woollen hats. We layer up in other ways as well. Fireplaces are made ready, stews cook on the stoves, extra blankets are on the beds, Yes, Canadians are used to layering up.

As I thought about this, wondering why so many people are resistant to the COVID-19 measures that depend of laying to make a difference, my thoughts strayed to .another area as well and I realized that for me, at least, my spiritual life also depending on layering. Starting with the stories learned in childhood, through the twenties, the thirties, up to today, there has been a constant stream of layering happening. Each layer depends on what has gone before as well as lived life experiences. Nothing stands alone! Change depends on the interaction of the two.... real life experiences as well as additional layers of thought. Nothing is lost. Everything is necessary for that end result which we have named maturity.

So what Dr Tam is asking of us is a maturity that allows us to use the knowledge of COVID-19 that we have along with the layering that health experts have recommended. That will make real change.

Comments

Judy ImrieNovember 24, 2020 at 3:39 PM
Very interesting, uniquely Canadian way to encourage putting these measures in place, Lynn...in layers of course, like a good casserole.. .not only to keep ourselves warm, but others safe. After a while, humans tend to go tone deaf when the same words are spoken over and over in the same way. There are sadly those who will still walk into a blizzard wearing shirtsleeves and I am sure I lack a few layers of maturity myself but you have made me think! Thank-you.

Judy Imrie
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