Thread by @Tommy_Slick

I've stayed off Twitter for 90% of my vacation away from work, and that has done leagues for my mental health. Now to return and see what is happening with the UCP's irresponsible travel plans, I'm trying to figure out why I'm not more mad. It must be that I'm exhausted. 1/

I can't even say I'm disappointed. This is totally par for the course. Since 2019, our government has been gaslighting critics, trying to intimidate journalists (including myself), and trying to say they know better than everyone else. 2/

We've also seen this throughout the response to the pandemic. Premier Kenney, in the early days, was admittedly doing the right things. His messaging was strong and it genuinely seemed like he cared for Albertans' well-being in making difficult decisions. 3/

That steadily went downhill, leading us to this current point where the government delayed on enacting further measures and tried to preach "personal responsibility" when it was clear it was falling on deaf ears. It forced the vast majority of us to cancel holiday plans. 4/

But behind the scenes the government stayed stagnant. Their feelings of superiority seemed to grow stronger. This mentality of "we know best" has leeched so far into the brain that they seem to feel the rules don't apply. They have greater leeway since they are in power. 5/

This past year was so tiring. It sapped so much of my mental well-being and left me feeling angry and depressed and anxious almost every single day. When I would call out the government for their actions, they would lash back here on Twitter or complain to my boss. 6/

Let me get this straight: I cannot be intimidated by these actions. But, admittedly, they hurt. This whole travel scandal hurts too. I've spent the last days reading about everyone who did cancel their plans. The missed dinners. The missed visits with loved ones. 7/

We have all made significant sacrifices in the toughest year in memory, with the hope it will make all of us safer collectively. Evidently, this selflessness and care for others doesn't permeate within the confines of the ruling government. After all, they know best. 8/

I'm exhausted because it feels like my efforts have been all for naught. Why did I cancel my big summer vacation to California? Why have I avoided going to malls for the most part? Why have I been diligent with sanitizing and wearing a mask? Was I duped? 9/

I can't say how the government should effectively remedy the damage done here. But it is so typical, after 19 months of shooting themselves in the foot and taking actions with disregard about how the public will perceive them. They seem disconnected from reality. 10/

I give all the credit in the world to all my fellow reporters who have been working hard in this past week. I hope you all can get some rest. And I hope the government can realize these errors and finally show some true leadership. True leaders make tough decisions. 11/

I hope for the best for this province, but it has been so bad this year that I'm just left befuddled and lost for words (despite this long thread). I'm not ashamed to say that I have thought long and hard about how to leave this province. It just doesn't seem worth it. 12/

But I also do believe we can stand together (in spirit). We can rise above it with a collective goal. But we need the government to stand with us too. It's just so exhausting and so disappointing that they lack this trait I naively thought came naturally to humankind. 13/13