Hugh Mackenzie
Huntsville Doppler
Beware the Ides of March. A message from centuries ago but, with due respect to Julius Caesar, perhaps more appropriate today than it was then. COVID-19 has taken over the airwaves and social media. There are very few lives that have not been disrupted because of it. Other events at home and abroad, some of them serious, are taking second seats. There are people who think this is a massive over-reaction. Others, myself included, feel otherwise.
It is true that Canada has not yet been seriously hit with this novel strain of the coronavirus. Leaving China and South Korea out of the equation, Italy as of yesterday has 21,157 cases of COVID-19 resulting in 1,441 deaths. Iran has 13,938 cases with 724 deaths. These numbers are increasing exponentially by the hour. Canada so far has identified only 252 cases of the virus resulting in one death.
But the writing is on the wall and Canada is not immune to this world-wide pandemic. We may have had more warning, we may be better prepared, but the reality is that the effects of the COVID-19 virus are going to be widely felt here and our lives are going to be affected by it for, at least, months to come. Health professionals are predicting that between 30 and 70 per cent of Canadians will contract the virus in some form, but the mortality rate remains relatively low.
We are fortunate, in my view, that all three levels of government in Canada—federal provincial and municipal—are taking this crisis seriously in an effort to minimize its effect. This is not a time for finger pointing or engaging in partisan politics. It is time for everyone, particularly at the political level, to work together and thankfully we are seeing signs of this. Those who do otherwise should really think twice.
I was impressed the other day when former premier Kathleen Wynne, surely no fan of our current premier, defended him when he was criticized for urging families to make the most of the winter break and enjoy themselves.
I thought Premier Ford himself set exactly the right tone when he said, “During times like this we must all work together to take care of one another. Panic buying hurts our seniors, friends and neighbours. Please be considerate of others during these challenging times and remember we are all in this together.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also gets it. Whether you like him or not, he has been on top of this. He is taking the right steps, but he is not overreacting. As a Globe and Mail columnist, who is not always a fan of the prime minister, has said, “Trudeau’s coronavirus response is a lesson in leadership”. We should celebrate that, not denounce it.
This is a time to rise above politics. Hopefully opposition leaders and leadership hopefuls will tone down the rhetoric and, conversely, governments will include some of these people in their discussions and decisions. That is how it should work in times like this. Even Pelosi and Trump are working together! If they can do it, so can we!
This is also a time for the rest of us to show that we really care about each other. As in all things, government can only do so much even in the worst of times. We expect them to do what they need to, but the rest is up to us. A crisis can bring out both the best and the worst in people. We need to make sure we bring out the best.
While it is important to be realistic and prepared during this COVID-19 pandemic, it is also important not to panic or escalate fear. There is absolutely no need for hoarding, and price gouging is unforgivable. We have not yet seen a lot of either of these in Huntsville and I hope we do not. I do know of one store where toilet paper was priced many times higher than the store across the street. There is no excuse for that. Also, let’s tone it down a bit on Facebook and Twitter. We do not always have to be angry and this may well be the time to show our kinder and more positive side.
Of course, we will worry. That is natural. I worry about my daughter-in-law, an acute-care nurse in a large hospital. She is on the front line. But she is calm, and she is prepared, and she is dedicated to helping others. In our own way, in our own situations, we can do the same. We should check on our neighbours. We should keep to our normal grocery shopping habits and we should be ready to give a helping hand to those who need it. Calmness in adversity is an extraordinary asset.
In Huntsville, it is important that we support our local merchants. Our local economy, especially during the tourist season, could well take a hit. We also need to reach out to young people. Schools are closed, programs are cancelled. Kids will be bored. That is where grandparents should come in! Seniors will need more attention, too. Compassion, patience, and understanding should be our motto. Grumpiness and finger pointing should be put on the shelf.
It is also important to the people in Huntsville and in our surrounding communities to know what is happening here, in relation to the COVID- 19 virus: what the local statistics are, what people are saying, what is cancelled, and what is not. For that reason, Huntsville Doppler has created a special COVID-19 page to keep you fully informed. (Click here to read it and keep checking back for updates.)
Finally, through all of this, let’s keep our sense of humour. It is an important part of who we are. I read of some wag recently who suggested that the confinement and lack of activities in the next few months could well result in many new babies in 2021. He suggested that as we labelled Baby Boomers and Millennials, these would be called Coronials!
Who knows? It might produce a future prime minister, whomever she may be!
Hugh Mackenzie
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The issue of hoarding is a serious one and the toilet paper hoarders are the worst, it is MADNESS >
If you are hoarding things like this I would like you to check in with your humanity
and connect with local families in need .
No parent should have to explain to a kid why there is no toilet paper.
We have no idea what happens next but we can all be responsible….
Take care, stay home , go outside but please keep your distance ..
This too shall pass…
Erin Jones,
Do not be disuaded in your advancing of good ideas. It is too bad when one is criticised for contributing good thoughts in a forum like this.
Hugh, I agree that in this crisis we all need to be pulling together however we can trancending the usual politics opon which often inform our comments.
That does not mean that we can afford to disregard the many lessons to be learned from present events. Canada was late in awaking to what was falling upon us and those in positions of judgement and authority will be themselves judged for their slow reaction. ( Not held accountable…..a very different thing unfortunately.) That we were very late is simply nonpolitical fact.
Various countries, faced with the same information acted much faster and more effecively and accordingly their populations are not at the same risk as we are presently. We are on a sharp upward curve of infections a situation which will be evident shortly. It is regrettable the evolution of the pandemic has been mismanaged in Canada. This expression of opinion will be greeted by many as heretical no doubt as we are supposed to be positive and cooperative at times like this.
These wonderful sentiments certainly have their benifits. Of much more benifit will be identification of our shortcomings and corrective measures put in place to improve our preparedness for the next event.
Stay well everyone.
Erin: if you’re a grandmother, then I apologize with all good grace. If not, then my previous comments stand.
I’d have to be the dimmest bulb in the light fixture to trumpet gym attendance as a “panacea” for anything. I was merely attempting to correct your prevailing impression of seniors as fit for daycare, but not much else.
And if I wanted to self-aggrandize, I would have mentioned my offer of free online tutoring (math, preferred) for any student whose parent(s) feel that they are falling behind; owing to all the strike and PD days.
But that would have been immodest.
Correct, Ryan.
Fitness levels have ZERO to do with contracting and spreading this virus. Good fitness will help you fight the virus, but has nothing to do with preventing contraction.
Why the hostility, Rob? How do you know that I am “pontificating” on a subject “which does not concern” me?
Going to the gym is not a panacea, by the way. This virus is EXTREMELY contagious and has a very large open window between exposure and actually showing signs of the illness. I’m all for “maintaining a strong mind in a strong body” but there are many people (with immune-compromising disease) for whom this is impossible. (Kudos to the management of the Independent for accommodating seniors and immune-compromised individuals of all ages, to shop as confidently as possible, under the circumstances).
I agree that all should self-isolate as much as possible but many people are still going to work every day because the welfare of others depends on them arriving at their place of work (health care workers chief among them).
Nasty comments to others may serve to puff up one’s self-righteousness and/or self-importance, but they serve to demoralize others. Sad that you felt the need to take advantage of this as an opportunity to vent your spleen (on someone you see as a political foe) who was merely trying to help the situation at hand.
What in the world is going on? Even the politician are saying nice things about each other.
Something good comes of everything.
Hi Hughie: Well said,…I always agree with you when you rise above partisan politics as you are profoundly capable of doing.
I, too, was impressed that the Prime Minister has based his decisions on science, not politics and show biz.
And, as for your foot note, ‘…It might produce a future prime minister, whomever she may be!’, I believe a future female Prime Minister spoke at Huntsville’s Summit Centre last fall as part of the lead up to the election.
Stay tuned.
Richard Corcelli
Gravenhurst
Thanks so much, Erin, for your advice on self-isolating for this 11-times-over grandpa. I can always count on you to pontificate on subjects, which do not concern you. This particular, feeble grandfather is too busy attending the gym 6 times a week (minimum 2 hours). The best defence for ALL seniors (not only against Covid-19) is a good offence; maintaining a strong mind in a strong body.
Of course, EVERYONE (including you, Erin) should self-isolate and be tested as soon as possible; once symptoms present.
What better time than now for responsible, healthy high school students to put in some community service hours by helping out with child care? It’s a great lesson in reaching out to others in our community, and completely fits the spirit of the 40 hour community service graduation requirement.
Thanks Hugh–good thoughts. But I think it would be a better idea to rely on high school students to care for youngsters rather than the much more at-risk population of grandparents. Grandparents in their 50’s are likely working themselves, and those who are retired (60s, 70s, and 80s) should be self-isolating in their homes, along with those who are chronically ill (often, the same group). Protecting those who are most at-risk should likely be the highest priority, at this point. As we can see from the example of Italy (whose population is the most aged in Europe) the failure of the Italian government to see the danger to them and seek to isolate them is probably the biggest mistake of all. The average age of death of Italians from Covid-19 is 81+.
Does Huntsville High School have a registry of students who are willing to help “the grandmas and grandpas” by taking on this burden? In doing so, the high schoolers could also be earning some extra income for their families.
Thanks Hugh: I like most people have read so many articles concerning this virus. Your contribution today has surpassed anything I’ve read yet by a long shot.
Thank you Hugh for a good explanation of the things we should be doing. Now all we have to do is all get on the same page and pay attention to what is going on. My thinking is we should keep doing the things we have to do but be a bit more vigilant of what is going on around us and wash our hands. Myself whenever i’m out and come home that is the first thing we do.
Any local business big or small that takes advantage of the circumstances to price gouge during this crisis needs to be remembered for a very, very long time. It’s a time for helping not taking.