Optimism is up, COVID-19 numbers are down, as Nova Scotia enters next phase of reopening plan
During the most recent COVID-19 restrictions in Nova Scotia, boxing was the hobby Jill Caldwell missed the most.
Wednesday marks the first day of Phase 2 in the province's reopening plan, allowing gyms and restaurants to operate at 50 per cent capacity.
Caldwell admitted when she woke up Wednesday morning, she could not get to her reopened gym in Dartmouth fast enough.
“It’s the punching, the workout and the sweat,” said Caldwell.
In fact, she also has her next few days all lined up.
“I’ve got my hair appointment booked, the next few weeks of classes, and summer is going to start," said Caldwell.
During a tough pandemic that has featured some low moments, Caldwell also said Wednesday signifies a bounce-back day for everyone.
“It’s not a great weather day, but there is definitely positivity,” said Caldwell.
Digital Anthropologist Giles Crouch added that positivity is evident everywhere, especially on social media.
"I call this a collective digital sigh of relief," said Crouch.
According to Crouch, during previous lockdowns, people used social media platforms to discuss what they did not like about the pandemic.
"Today I am seeing much more positivity on social media than negativity," said Crouch. “We are starting to share, ‘ok, this is what I’m going to do, this is how I’m going to celebrate reopening.’ "
Since COVID-19 restrictions have limited many everyday activities, psychologist Dayna Lee-Baggley said these past few months have also taught people how to be nimble when it comes to adjusting their lives.
"So the gym might be closed, but there might be other ways to be physically active,” said Lee-Baggley. “There might be a hobby you can't do. We can't connect to people the same way, but we can still find ways to connect with people."
Fellow gymgoer Brayden Doucet said people have found ways to reclaim things that were lost.
"We've been waiting a long time for things to go back to normal in general," said Doucet, who added society has been careful with COVID-19 and has earned the freedoms that come with this day.
“We are just going to keep building on this," said Doucet.
It's a day that everyone can bask in the positivity during this reopening phase, following an extended shutdown.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.
What a urologist wants you to know about male infertility
When opposite sex couples are trying and failing to get pregnant, the attention often focuses on the woman. That’s not always the case.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Made-in-Newfoundland vodka claims top prize at worldwide competition
A Newfoundland-made vodka has been named one of the world’s best by judges at this year’s World Vodka Awards.