Pent up socializing

What Douglas students intend to do when social distancing is through

By Craig Allan, Staff Writer

As we begin a new month of the year, it looks like it may be the most boring month in BC history. With the announcement from Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, and Provincial Health Minister Adrian Dix, the BC closing of non-essential services will be continuing through April—and likely into May. It looks like this will be another couple of months of staying in our homes and socially distancing from everyone.

Many are feeling pent up and uneasy. With restaurants, community centres, and large social gatherings all shut down for the foreseeable future, many feel the growing need to get out and have fun. Whether that is by going to a restaurant, a movie, or just to a friend’s house. To attempt to shine a light on some better times, I asked the staff of the Other Press what the first restaurant, gathering, or event they are going to go to when the closing of non-essential services ordinance is through.

For many, just getting the chance to exercise at a community centre was desired. Layout Manager Christine Weenk wants to go to her gym for “a long workout,” and Illustrator Athena Little would love to visit the pool/ice rink. When it came to just wanting to get outside in general, Production Assistant Nhi “Jenny” Vo is looking forward to going to the VanDusen Gardens, and Photographer Billy Bui is desiring a traverse across the North Vancouver hiking trails again.

As for restaurants, Weenk is looking forward to eating at her favourite Italian establishment called That Place in Coquitlam, and Vo is looking forward to eating at a blind dining restaurant in Vancouver. Despite not being able to see the food, Vo said she will enjoy it as long as the meal does not include rice. She states: “I’m tired of eating rice every day.”

Many just cannot wait until the day they can meet up with their friends again. Opinions Editor Matthew Fraser can’t wait to get a beer with friends, and Arts Editor Sonam Kaloti is simply looking forward to meeting with friends. She says “honestly I just want to see my friends! I miss them. Don’t care what we do—restaurant, bowling, absolutely nothing, staring into an abyss for a few hours—that’s all I really miss.” This also expands to family interactions as well, as Web Editor Caroline Ho just wants to be able to visit her family members and give them a hug. “I’m really looking forward to being able to visit my parents and hug them freely again.”

For others, the first thing they want to do is book for the future. Staff Writer Tania Arora has a bunch of concerts that she hopes she can still get tickets for if they are cancelled or rescheduled. “I had a huge list of concerts I wanted to attend this summer from Camila Cabello, Maroon 5, Billie Eilish to many more. If the ban is lifted and the situation gets better, I will be jumping onto the stage.” In the case of Life and Style Editor, Morgan Hannah, she is hoping that the virus subsides before September when she hopes to be going to Indonesia.

As for myself, it will all depend on if I have some money left over after all of this. There are so many options I could take. I just know that right now I am craving the grilled cheese sandwich from Ricky’s Café. I have also had a gift card for The Keg in my wallet for a few years now, so celebrating the end of this by finally using it could be a great way to begin the return to normalcy. A trip to an actual movie theatre may also be in the plans that day, which is something that Business Manager Brittney MacDonald also mentioned she wanted. To me, movies are a way to escape the problems of the world; just being enraptured by great cinema is powerful. These days may seem dull and boring now, but there is a light at the end of all of this. No one knows when that light will come, but it will come. We just have to stay strong and vigilant in our social distancing and know that the parks, community centres, and the crispy grilled cheeses will be there when this is all over.