Sask. people celebrate silver linings, look forward as province marks 2 years of COVID-19

Some Saskatchewan people are excited for the chanceto expand their experiences with adventure and connection for thefirst time since thepandemic began.

It's been two years since the first COVID-19 case was announced in Saskatchewan onMar. 12, 2020. Although the provincial government has dropped all public health measures, the pandemic isn't over.

But vaccines have been widely available for months and therisk for fully-vaccinated people is low.This means more people are feeling comfortable about engaging in activitiesthey have refrained from or been prevented from doing during the pandemic.

Sonali Currie can't wait to meet new peopleafter facing immense isolation.

"One thing that I'm looking forward to is a lot of coffee meet and greets. having those networks, having those connections professionally, even personally meeting with friends," she said, noting she's also excited about group fitness classes.

"I feel very happy after a Zumba class in-person, so nothing can beat that."

Currie said she will cherish these everyday experiences. She moved to Regina from Kolkata,India, in pursuit of aMaster's degree at the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy in 2019. She had just begun to connect with other people when the pandemic hit. She lost her job, classes went online and extra-curricular activitystopped.

Currieworried for her finances and her family back home. She was all alone.

"I was actually questioning my decision to be here,far away frommy place whereI was so familiar and I knew people."

She didn't give up, and now Currie feels mentally stronger and is wrapping up her final semester. Before she begins her job hunt, she wants to travel.

"That is, of course, another elementI'm looking forward to, whether in the province or across Canada."

She's not alone in her desire to hit the road.

Life on the road

Megan Nash used to play more than 100 live-shows a year in pre-pandemic times, but that lifestylebecame impossible as gathering was deemed unsafe. Instead of life on the road, they were forced intolife at home a toughtransition for the artist.

"Not only do I miss the audience and meeting people,I love live shows too. They remind me of all the good in the world," they said. "That energy in a room. It's just incomparable. You can't replace that with a digital set up."

They noted most artists were more stringent than provincial policy, so they didn't play live even though they technically could have. Nash adapted by hosting songwriting workshops online, playing drive-in shows and dabbling in virtual events.

They appreciated the chance to spend more time with their senior dog, Shiloh, butit wasn't the same.

Now Nash is gearing up for a multi-province tour. They're looking forward tograndmoments on stage but also to the little ones along the way.

"I miss being in a van with friends.I love having heart-to-hearts, and that's when the real heart-to-hearts can happen."

While Nash is over the moon about heading on tour, a sense of hesitation remains.

"[It's] finding that balance of just doing what you really love and getting lost in that moment, while also being hyper aware that we're still in a pandemic and we still have to keep ourselves and each other safe," Nash said, noting the band has upgraded their masks and some shows will be outdoors.

While the world feels especiallyheavy, Nash hopes said people can find alittle reprievein each set and a little comfort in each other.

"As we move forward andcontinue to live with this pandemic, if we can just keep our hearts open and our minds open and think about our communities, we'll get through this."

The customer connection

Julianna Tan is eagerly anticipatingthe connections found during fleeting interactions with strangers who wander into her shop. The isolation, distancing and guidance to not gather took a toll on Tan.

"It feels like you can actually connect with someone again," the entrepreneur said.

Tan co-owns two small businesses in Saskatoon and said more people are now more comfortable gathering in the store.

"It feels so right when you get to connect with people and be surrounded with people and see them talking and smiling and having conversation."

While many small businesses folded under the weight of the pandemic, Tan said her business was lucky to thrive. She and a business partner opened the Little Market Box in Saskatoon in late 2019.

The business is like a farmer's market that carries local Saskatchewan goods. There's a storefront, but they also opened with a robust online ordering system.While other businesses struggled to go digital, they were ready.

"As soon as the pandemic hit, basically overnight,hundreds of people logged in online to start shopping through our platform because we offered delivery and it was accessible to people."

Tan said thepandemic affirmed their purpose of connecting otherswith local products, especially as more people prioritized local amid supply chain concerns.

She noted that she can't forget the "heartache and heartbreak" of the pandemic, adding manypeople still prefer to shop online or with masks. She and her colleagues aremandating kindness and trying to meet people where they're at.

Tan said she's starting to dream about what it will be like to run the shopafter the pandemic. She looks forward to the new challenges sure to arise whenever that day comes.