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  Wolfe Wood Co.

  "I have always loved working with my hands and within the last few years I have found the love of woodworking. With each project I gain more knowledge and skills of the trade. "Due to COVID-19 I found myself with more free time and I started filling this time with creating woodworking projects. I quickly realized that this could become my dream job! "I seek to make quality products, made from Canadian wood and materials. I love experimenting on different projects that I dream up. I also enjoy collaborating with customers to make beautiful custom pieces that are just right for them." - Jesse Wolfe, Woodworker and owner of Wolfe Wood Co.
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  Finding something to do

  "Finding beauty in the backyard...aka finding something to do! #stayhome #staysafe" is the original caption I gave this photo on my Instagram account @selennawolfe. This post was during the COVID-19 pandemic when the Manitoba provincial guidelines asked people to stay at home and I decided to take in the nice weather while staying at home.
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  Only essential items available for in person shopping in Manitoba

  Manitoba instituted new health regulations dictating that stores could only sell essential items to encourage people to stay home and therefore reduce the spread of COVID-19. Many stores had to close and stores that sold essentials and non-essentials had to remove non-essentials from in person shopping. This store had signs explaining the new regulations. It used pallets of essential merchandize to block access to non-essentials as well as caution tape and clear wrap. Women’s sandals were off limits, but winter boots were available. Christmas decorations, sleep wear, and luggage etc had to be bought online only.
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  No flowers to brighten the day

  The grocery store’s Christmas music was interrupted by a voice reminding shoppers to wear a mask, sanitize hands, and to keep 2 meters apart. The pubic announcement is part of the store’s attempt to abide by new health regulations making stores responsible to ensure health rules are followed. The announcement closed with reminding shoppers that “we are in this together.” This week only stores selling essentials were allowed to remain open, but if non-essentials were sold, they needed to be out of reach of in-person shoppers. At this grocery store all the flowers and plants were removed.
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  Second COVID wave hard on small businesses

  When the second wave of COVID hit health measures became increasingly restrictive. Businesses, especially small businesses were significantly affected. The small corner convenience store near my house that had been there 18+ years abruptly closed and moved out.
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  One Congregation's Response to Code Orange

  This is one church's response to code orange... Intentional, Caring, Thought Out, and Respectful. Dear Church Family, In response to surging Covid-19 numbers in Manitoba and in attempt to help the health system be able to provide care to all in the province, the Manitoba Government has mandated some additional restrictions, effective Monday November 2. We as a congregation are choosing to comply with the guidelines for two very important reasons: It is our Christian calling to obey our governments unless they are asking us to do something that is contrary to God’s will or Biblical teaching (Romans 13); none of the government mandates (wearing masks, distancing, smaller group sizes) violate God’s teachings; in fact, we could argue they affirm the Biblical call to care for the most vulnerable and to put the needs of others ahead of our own It is our Christian calling to love our neighbours and we believe that observing the restrictions placed on us is a powerful demonstration of this essential commandment. We recognize that not all congregations in our community are following what the government has mandated (eg. most churches in Winkler have been singing for weeks and some don’t social distance). We’ve chosen not to do what the majority is doing or to see how much we can get away with; instead we’ve chosen a path of greatest potential community benefit and care. Our decisions are in no way a sign that we don’t trust God to care for us (as some people suggest); our decisions indicate our deep love for all in our society and a recognition that God invites us to make wise, informed choices. Like Jesus in the wilderness (read Matthew 4:5-7), we don’t believe it is right to unnecessarily “put God to the test”, simply to satisfy some of our personal desires or discomforts. Out of an abundance of caution and concern for our community (and to comply with Government Code Orange mandates), we are choosing to make the following changes, effective Monday November 2. With all of you we are longing for the time when we can resume many of the things we used to do. We believe being careful now is the best path to that possibility. Sunday Morning Worship Will continue to be offered In-Person and Online but we will now only be able to welcome a maximum of 75 attenders to our in-person services All those attending will be required to pre-register for the service(s) they plan to attend; we will not be able to admit walk-ups Persons attending will be required to wear masks when entering, exiting or moving around within the building; masks are encouraged but optional when you are seated in a physically distant way. As in our schools, children grade 4 and younger are exempt from mask use. We will limit numbers on the stage to 5 or less. All other practices (careful entry and exit; physically distanced seating, etc.) will continue. In Person GPS will not be offered during the time that we are in Code Orange Wednesday Morning Coffee in the Foyer will not be offered during the time that we are in Code Orange A Last Word – There is nothing about Covid-19 that is predictable; things are changing rapidly. We realize that things may change again, as soon as next week or perhaps a few weeks down the road, and that there really won’t be a last word till a vaccine is created and effective. However, this is our plan for now while we’re in Code Orange. Please continue to pray for the church leadership as we make decisions and please, let’s remain united in Christ even if we don’t all interpret all decisions in the same way. We are all seeking to be faithful and “to be an inviting, Christ-centred community in which people are being transformed to live like Jesus.” On behalf of Church Council Executive and Staff (and in consultation with medical professionals)
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  Empty

  During COVID-19 we experienced temporary shortages. Items like milk, toilet paper, yeast, and flour we snapped up as people prepared for the lock down. This is the first time I experienced the shelves at my local grocery store being empty of milk. This surprised me and the seriousness of the lock down became more real.
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  Physical Distancing at Canadian Mennonite University

  I submitted two photos. The first is of the chapel at Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg, Manitoba taken Wednesday, March 18, 2020. It was an afternoon where faculty and staff were to gather to say farewell to a staff member. COVID-19 was already the top news story and elementary schools in other provinces were closing down. Tables were brought into the chapel with chairs placed at the ends to ensure physical distancing was observed. By the end of the day on Friday March 20 staff and faculty were instructed to work from home and students would switch to online learning. The second photo was the physical distancing approach Folio Café at Canadian Mennonite University used before the school was closed due to COVID-19.