Shattered Dreams Due to Unforeseen Consequences

Chapter 28 March

Cassie POV March

In the early days of March, Shawn and I found ourselves settling into a routine that revolved around nightly news updates. Each evening, we would tune in, our concern growing as we learned more about the situation that was being referred to as COVID-19. It felt surreal to watch the world change so rapidly, and we couldn't help but feel a mix of anxiety and curiosity about what was unfolding around us.

A few key developments early in the month that really stood out were. On March 4, Prime Minister Trudeau announced the formation of a Cabinet Committee dedicated to addressing the coronavirus outbreak. This committee, led by Chrystia Freeland, would be tasked with the critical job of limiting the virus's spread and ensuring the health and safety of Canadians. It was a clear signal that the government was taking the situation seriously and was ready to mobilise resources to tackle the emerging crisis.

As the month progressed, more significant announcements followed. On March 6, Health Minister Patty Hajdu revealed that the federal government would allocate $27 million to support 47 research groups across 19 universities, aiming to find effective ways to manage the outbreak.

Then, on March 8, Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne shared that Canada had arranged for a chartered flight to bring home 237 citizens stranded on the Grand Princess cruise ship, with plans for a two-week quarantine upon their return.

By March 9, the situation had escalated to the point where MP Anthony Housefather announced his self-isolation after potential exposure at a conference, highlighting the growing personal impact of the pandemic on individuals in our community.

On March 11th, I had my next appointment with the doctor, and it was an exciting day. The doctor confirmed that I was approximately 13 weeks along in my pregnancy. During the ultrasound, we got to see both of our little ones; fetus A measured 6.8 cm, while fetus B was slightly bigger at 7.1 cm. It was such a surreal moment, and we left the clinic with some adorable new ultrasound pictures to cherish.

That same evening, on the news, a significant announcement from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. He revealed a massive $1 billion response fund aimed at tackling the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic. Out of this fund, $500 million was earmarked for provinces and territories, while $50 million was set aside for the World Health Organization. Additionally, there was a commitment of $275 million dedicated to advancing COVID-19 research right here in Canada. Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, Mélanie Joly, mentioned that she had been in talks about how to lessen the outbreak's effects on the air travel sector, which was facing unprecedented challenges.

In a broader context, the World Health Organisation made a crucial declaration that day, officially recognising the virus as the cause of the global COVID-19 pandemic. This announcement sent shockwaves around the world as countries began to grapple with the implications of this classification. It was a pivotal moment in the fight against the virus, highlighting the urgency for coordinated efforts to manage the crisis.

After watching the news, I decided to video call William and Kate. When William picked up, he greeted me with a warm, "Hey little sis, how are you?" I could sense his curiosity, so I quickly mentioned that I had some exciting news to share and asked if it was alright to add a few more people to the call. William nodded enthusiastically, clearly intrigued by what I had to say.

I went ahead and added a whole bunch of people to the call, including Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Ed Sheeran, Amanda, Shawn's parents and sister, and even Shawn's manager. It felt like a mini-family reunion, and I was buzzing with excitement. Just as I was about to spill the beans, Queen Elizabeth chimed in, asking, "Amanda dear, why such a large group call?" I took a deep breath, ready to reveal our big news, and held up the new ultrasound picture that clearly showed Baby A and Baby B. I couldn't help but blush as I presented it to everyone.