Many of you probably have seen the press conference in which Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister broke down and cried as he pleaded for people to "stay apart at Christmas."
He was asked why he liked being hated so much. And while the restrictions put in place in Manitoba have indeed been pretty severe as the situation there is much worse than it should be in a setting as they have there, his emotions brought to light the burden that he, and probably most other political leaders, have been feeling and bravely carrying throughout the past nine months.
When Pallister was talking about all he's taken away from people this holiday season, and why he was doing it, I couldn't resist thinking that to be any kind of a ruling political leader is the worst job there is these days.
Not only have they had to make hundreds of unpopular decisions and probably will continue with that for a while (probably eventually putting an end to their careers as it sometimes happens once the crisis is over), they also have to make unprecedented decisions with not much appropriate experience to rely on.
There are no guarantees that any of the tough measures will work. They are supposed to, but might not be enough. Or might be not exactly the right ones. And if they don't work, or even if they do, but original assumptions prove to be wrong, as it happened in the spring, it seems that there is hardly any room for forgiveness from the exhausted and totally stressed out population.
Some countries like Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea and New Zeeland so far have managed the crisis better than the others. And while there were some common points in strategies used by these and many other states (like intense and early mass testing, contact tracing, partial or full temporary lockdowns and so on), not many of them made it to this point in a good shape.
It could have been bad timing, or lack of supplies or people, or mentality and cultural differences, or geography, or climate, or economic situation, or other ongoing issues, or thousands of other variables. But for many countries, measures that worked for others, not only didn't result in the same effect, but also scrutinized other areas. And who else but the leaders are being blamed for that?
And while our elected leaders are supposed to be the best on all fronts, nobody gets trained for qualitatively new challenges like a highly contagious virus spreading in a globalized world.
How often kids say that when they grow up they want to become presidents? I bet those who are growing up now, have already changed their minds. I know I definitely wouldn't want to be the one making big decisions now. No matter what you do, chances are you'll have thousands of people hating you are pretty much at 100 per cent.
But you still have to do what it takes to ensure that on a bigger scale this ship, be it the city, province, country or our world, makes it to the other side of the ocean.
I felt Pallister's pain, listening to his response. He sees the goal, but he also sees all the challenges his province has to get through to get to the final destination. The province that did so well during the first wave completely failed during the second. I guess it's like the story about a boy who cried wolf; Manitobans probably just got burnt out and didn't believe anything when fall came.
I'm pretty sure people in Saskatchewan and other provinces feel the same, but it seems that the disease we are fighting is just seeking that tiredness as an entrance point. And then, when we almost don't believe that the enemy is real it attacks full power before we get a chance to organize the defence.
I sincerely believe that no leader, no one in their right mind – it doesn't matter if they have good or bad intentions – would enjoy shutting everything down, cancelling business opportunities and paralyzing life. It hurts everybody. But the hope is it will help most people in the end.
I guess most premiers, presidents and other types of governors are turning into Grinches in our eyes this Christmas. But it's important to remember that while we will be missing out on a year of excitement, gatherings, fun and easy shopping, crazy parties and more, they are trying to ensure that every one of us has many more great years with family and friends ahead.
So when irritation puts you on edge, just think greater picture.
Goosfraba and try not to hate anyone.
