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In the wake of COVID-19 and Coronavirus, there’s been plenty of anxiety-inducing news. So I’m making an attempt to write this column with a little less of that. Hoping everyone is taking care, staying well and being responsible. With the official end of March break, this week marks the beginning of what was a previously announced extension of school closures. Recently, The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) and the province reached an agreement. So in addition to the provincial announcements, parents may hear from their childrens’ teachers depending on their grade level, communication abilities and use of the remind app. Due to many non-essential businesses now closed and shut down, most of us are now hunkered down at, or working from home. It has been heartwarming to see many people in our community on local social media groups offer to pick up groceries, prescriptions and other essentials, for those who may not otherwise be able to. A few of these local groups are;
Brock/Durham COVID-19 Support Group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/2984220184954254
Buy Nothing Scugog, ON: https://m.facebook.com/groups/466943663864451?group_view_referrer=profile_browser
Caesarea, Blackstock & Nestleton Buy & Sell: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1061520113888890&ref=content_filter
Port Perry and Surrounding Area Mommy Buy, Sell and Trade: https://m.facebook.com/groups/185822208164556?group_view_referrer=profile_browser
Speaking of heartwarming, Alaina Malcolm, a local resident and board president of Blackstock Co-op Nursery School, posted the Hunt for Hearts idea on her Facebook profile. The idea was for residents to post cut out hearts in their windows so parents could go on a hunt here, with their children. Her local friends embraced the idea and also shared the idea, on their profiles. With over 200 likes, comments and shares on Malcolm’s post alone, the Blackstock community certainly stepped up. Malcolm took her daughter Blair (a BCNS student prior to recent closures) for a walk just around her immediate neighbourhood a few days later and found hearts in abundance. Plenty of other friends, even those without children, have mentioned that they went hunting for hearts, in order to get out of the house and get some fresh air, as part of their social distancing. Spreading the love without spreading the germs is a great idea. Worship services and all events at Blackstock-Nestleton United Church and Blackstock Euchre are cancelled until further notice. Please send your Blackstock community news items to link2tammy@gmail.com by 12 noon on Monday, prior to publication.
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