All Zoomed out

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/03/2021 (1720 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba’s first presumptive case of COVID-19 was identified on March 12, 2020. Our world as we knew it was about to change in a way we had never imagined.

First of all, I would like to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of our front-line responders who, throughout this year, have put it on the line day in day out.

Secondly, I would like to acknowledge all of the families who have lost loved ones to COVID-19 and who have not had the opportunity to grieve in a way that celebrates the lives of lost loved ones in a traditional, fulsome way.

Over the course of the pandemic, we needed a safe way to maintain business continuity. We also needed a way to connect with loved ones that were not part of our immediate bubble. As a result we witnessed a sharp rise in the use of video conferencing tools to facilitate meetings for the millions of office workers who started to work from home. Video conferencing tools also a way to connect for birthdays, baby showers and, sadly, funerals.

For me, the need to stay connected to colleagues, the community and all the stakeholders I interact with is an essential part of what an elected official does on a daily basis. I have seen the benefits of video conferencing, as they now allow delegations to participate fully in meetings that previously required them to take time off from work and attend city hall. In the past year, I have also participated in virtual conferences around the world without the hassles of airport screening.

However, after a year of video conferencing, un-muting myself, pixelation and speaking at the same time as someone else, I have come to the conclusion that I am ready for in-person meetings to resume. While the video conferencing apps have allowed us to continue to meet for business, personal or family reasons, nothing takes the place of a face-to-face meeting or in-person conference.

I mostly miss the ability to build on conversations and network with people who may have similar thoughts or objectives. I have always valued the use of breakout rooms for the purposes of further dialogue and sharing of ideas. While there is some functionality within video conferencing to facilitate breakout rooms, I find there are also limitations that hamper robust discussions.

Perhaps the future solution will be to resume in-person meetings while augmenting virtual options.

The best option for me will always be human interaction, starting with a handshake or a high five.