It was a statement, one of many, made by CBC’s Washington-based foreign correspondent, Katie Simpson, regarding the coronavirus and our national response. It was a response, one of just as many, by a woman from Winnipeg whom I had never met. It was an algorithm, of which I have little understanding, of what shows up in my Twitter feed as recommended content. So begins the fateful day that marks the first time I have ever been blocked on Twitter.

I admit it: I am not an especially political person when it comes to how I project myself. I vote based on the ideals by which I wish to see the country I love governed, not the political scandals which divide it. I respect that everyone has a right to their opinion, even if it differs from mine. I am familiar with political issues, yet I don’t relish political discussions and debates unless it is to challenge incorrect statements or ill-informed assumptions. I shy away from Facebook and Twitter arguments, because I see little benefit in trying to convince (and thereby alienate) my friends, family, colleagues and acquaintances of something we’re never going to see eye-to-eye on.

It goes without saying, then, that I can probably count on one hand the number of times I’ve made or responded to a political statement on Twitter. Today might be the epic spillover to Digit Number One of my other hand.

Here is what was said by Katie Simpson:

@CBCKatie: What a contrast in message between the leaders of Canada and the U.S. PM Trudeau says “enough is enough, go home and stay home.” President Trump is tweeting about how the cure shouldn’t be worse than the problem.

I agree with this statement in and of itself. Trudeau’s messaging on our country’s response to the coronavirus pandemic reflects the values by which the majority of Canadians live. We are a country that, no matter what the political affiliation of its individual citizens, puts its differences aside and stands united in times of crisis. Was that not the lesson of Vimy Ridge and Hill 70? Is that not the lesson of our universal healthcare system? In this country, we Canadians are willing to do our part to keep the most vulnerable members of our society healthy. We do our part to ensure that our healthcare system can continue to be effective in the face of a pandemic which threatens to overwhelm it.

At a time when the president of our neighbouring country was too recently telling his citizens to go to work and ignore what the US CDC is urging, when he has grossly overstated the number of Covid-19 test kits available to his citizens, when he continues to send mixed messages and sow confusion that has put the US behind in its pandemic management… Yes. I think Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s messaging is appropriate and on-point with what we as Canadians believe and value.

With that said, the response to Ms. Simpson’s tweet which prompted me to venture into the unfamiliar territory of political social media-ing is as follows:

@RosemaryHamulka: So there is a pattern that Liberal cheer leaders must run down Donald Trump, to build up Trudeau, let’s use some diplomacy, instead of these statements that insult most of our intelligence.

On responding, I was unceremoniously blocked by Ms. Hamulka.

Well… Okay then. It is what it is, I suppose. After a moment of incredulous laughter, I decided that this double standard was Ms. Hamulka’s problem. Not mine. Twitter is a place to exchange and share ideas. I believe blocking should be reserved for overly aggressive, threatening or vulgar behaviour. But clearly Ms. Hamulka does not agree with me. Or she finds my response aggressive, threatening or vulgar. But in truth, I’m not hurt, and I’m not surprised. My first ever Twitter blocking is a reminder that, despite our shared Canadianism, we are still a vastly different society with vastly different political views. And we have vastly different outlooks on what it is appropriate to say and do.

Yes, I was blocked. But as long as Ms. Hamulka is washing her hands, observing social distancing and caring for her own friends and family out there in Winnipeg, then so be it. Health and happiness to her and her loved ones, regardless.

Here in Durham Region, I remain proud of my country, just as I remain proud of the prime minister who is willing to project an appropriate message. And if our media compares his messaging to a figure as divisive, ugly-hearted and hate-inspiring as Donald J. Trump, then I would not call this Liberal cheerleading… I would call it Canadian cheerleading. Would I feel the same if it were Andrew Scheer, Andrea Horwath or Elizabeth May standing up there representing Canada with the same messaging? Categorically, emphatically… YES!

I am a proud Canadian. And I am proud that the prime minister of my country, no matter who he or she is, displays on the national stage the values which make me a proud Canadian.

Here was my response to Ms. Hamulka… the now monumental landmark in the history of my Twitter participation that got me my first block:

@KatherineRyalen: I disagree with this statement from Ms. Hamulka. Whether you like Trudeau or not, he is the face of our nation. And when our national example is vastly better than what Trump’s been spewing, that’s something to be proud of, no matter your politics. Let’s all be Canadian in this.