Hugh Mackenzie
Huntsville Doppler
We are now nine months into the COVID-19 pandemic. So how are we doing? How are YOU doing? Certainly, life is very different and for some it has become extremely difficult and at times tragic in terms of both health and financial survival.
Nevertheless, as time goes on we have, generally speaking, survived lockdowns, new rules of social behaviour, and in many instances new ways of doing things. Most Canadians have accepted the reality of a worldwide pandemic and adapted to the new normal and accepted extraordinary measures for extraordinary times. Some, however, have not.
As the pandemic continues, with no real light at the end of the tunnel, it is understandable that people are getting fatigued and frustrated. Some wonder how serious and abnormal the pandemic really is and question the need for many of the measures that have been taken to control it.
Others believe not nearly enough has been done, and that controlling the virus matters much more than the economy or individual rights or almost anything else for that matter. The answer, as it usually does, lies somewhere in the middle.
And then there is the blame game. The more impatient we get with the way things are, the more we like to point fingers and seldom do we point them at ourselves. We need a straw man and the easy targets, of course, are the politicians. They haven’t done enough, or what they have done is too restrictive, or they don’t know what they are doing, or they are listening to the wrong so-called experts, and so on. They may not have caused the virus but they sure aren’t doing enough to fix it. We see these armchair critics every day in social and mainstream media.
But let’s look at the statistics, because it seems to me when you recognize the reality of the pandemic and compare the current numbers related to COVID-19 in Canada in general, and in Ontario in particular, with other jurisdictions, we are doing pretty well under difficult circumstances.
Canada to date has identified 196,000 COVID-19 infections. The United States has identified 8.4 million infections. On a per capita basis, the rate of infection in the United States is more than double the rate of infection in Canada.
There have been 219,000 reported COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. and 9,746 in Canada. Again, on a per capita basis, Canada’s death rate from the virus is well less than half of that of the United States. Similar statistics both in infection and death rates in the United Kingdom and many other G20 countries are favourable to Canada on a per capita basis.
The population of Ontario is about one-third greater than the population of Quebec. Yet Quebec has had 93,391 COVID-19 related infections, including 6,038 deaths compared to Ontario’s 64,371 COVID-19 infections and 3,046 deaths. As an aside, but of interest given concerns about the influx of tourists and seasonal residents in Muskoka during the pandemic, Muskoka has had 71 reported COVID-19 infections since February, 20 of those in Huntsville.
There is at present no cure and no vaccine for COVID-19. Management of the virus is currently the only alternative and on a comparable basis both the Canadian and Ontario Governments appear to be doing a pretty good job.
In Ottawa, the Trudeau Government has run up the largest pandemic deficit of any G20 government. Many will criticize this, but the comparative results against its peers for managing the pandemic speak for themselves.
Certainly, one can question the manner in which COVID-19 contracts were awarded without disclosure or tender, especially when evidence exists that the Trudeau Government likes to reward its friends. But one cannot, or should not, question the Trudeau Government for stepping up to the plate in providing the financial and economic tools required by those most affected by the pandemic, including provincial governments upon whose shoulders the actual management of most COVID-19 issues rests.
In Ontario, the Ford Government has had to walk the fine line between allowing our economy to re-open and keeping the curve of the COVID-19 virus as low as possible. Some blame his actions, especially around those of school and leisure activity openings, for the rise in virus infections we are currently experiencing, but a second wave was anticipated and is occurring across Canada and worldwide.
Again, it is a question of management and again the comparable statistics for COVID-19 infections and deaths in Ontario, speak for themselves.
I do think, however, that Premier Ford should be more forthcoming about who his “panel of health care experts” are, from whom he takes advice. Most likely he wants to spare them from media, political, and armchair critics. However, if members of the public knew who these people were, my guess is they would have more confidence that the premier was finding the right balance between public safety and the necessity of getting on with life.
The Ford Government has also been criticized for having no plan to address the anticipated increase in COVID-19 infections but that is not entirely accurate. In recent weeks alone, aided by necessary Federal Government financial assistance, the Ontario Government has employed more nurses and personal care workers, especially for nursing homes. They have also initiated the largest flu shot campaign in the history of Ontario and significantly expanded laboratory capacity, testing, and contact tracing throughout the province.
As for school re-openings and classroom sizes, those who are blaming these on the increase in COVID-19 infections are wrong, at least so far. The Toronto District School Board is the largest school board in Canada. In the six weeks schools have been opened in Ontario, 151 out of 247,000 students have tested positive for the virus, an average of 0.086 per cent of students attending school in class. In Huntsville, I have noticed that young people outside of school are largely not following any pandemic protocol and that, to me, is a real concern and potential problem.
In my view, governments and affected public agencies in Canada are doing what they can to control the COVID-19 virus in a manner that also allows our economy to recover and people to get on with their lives, as well they must. They are not the problem. As I have often said, government cannot and should not be all things to all people. A lot of it comes down to us, our behaviour, our attitude, and our resolve.
Scientists and other experts throughout the world, including those in Canada, have been very clear about what needs to be done to control and reduce the coronavirus. It is really quite simple. Wear masks. Wash your hands frequently and maintain reasonable social distancing.
Where people refuse to do that; where large crowds have gathered, where masks are not worn and social distancing is not respected, COVID-19 infections spike and everyone is put at risk. Where these simple rules are largely respected, the curve is limited and the risk of infection greatly reduced. What is so complicated about that?
Years ago, there was a well-read comic strip called Pogo, which some of you may remember. The title character was a reptile of some kind, I think perhaps an alligator. In any event, it was Pogo who famously said, “I have found the enemy and it is us.”
When it comes to the coronavirus, we need to seriously think about that.
Hugh Mackenzie
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Yes, overall, our government is doing the best they can, under the circumstances. But, just today I discovered that despite the public being strongly advised to get a flu shot this year, there aren’t enough high dose vaccines available. Adults aged 65+ have been advised to get the high dose flu vaccine because of their increased vulnerability. I inquired at both the pharmacist and my doctor’s office about getting a high dose vaccine; I was told by the pharmacist that on the day of my upcoming appointment, they can’t guarantee that I’ll get a high dose vaccine. As for my doctor, there simply aren’t ANY high dose vaccines there and can’t acquire any, at this time. It’s been known for months that flu season and Covid will coexist. Neither the doctors nor the pharmacies are at fault. Fortunately, during winter, spring, and beyond we’ll be masked, physically distanced, in our bubbles, and handwashing/sanitizing (as usual).
Well said Hugh.
The world in going into lockdown
Ontario has over 800 cases just today alone.
Justin Trudeau is letting international students just walk
back into Canada
The college in Barrie is proud to accdept these students?
Are they bring the virus with them?
Who pay their hospital bills, if required?
They are most welcone, BUT not at this time.
9 Months? Were we not put in pandemic alert and lockdown in mis March? Your reporting mak’s it Feb. Lets be honest and not put additional pressure on people in regards to this very trying time.
To see how Canada actually rates against other countries, go here: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ . Go down to the chart with all the countries’ stats. Click on “`Tot Cases/ 1M pop” (total number of cases per million people) to see how well countries have controlled the spread; click on “Deaths/ 1M pop” (total number of deaths per million people) to see how well countries have kept their Covid-19 patients alive. Scroll down and you will find a grey row which contains the total world statistics. Countries below that have done better than average, and countries above it have done worse.
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The numbers don’t lie. We, Canada, are slightly worse than average on number of cases, and quite a lot worse on deaths.
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Wondering why gets into such a huge tangle of different variables that you can’t say anything with certainty, but we had a *huge* fail in long-term care homes, with 81% of our deaths happening in them as of June — highest percentage in the world. Canadian citizens and governments at the federal and provincial levels need to do some serious soul-searching about how much we care about our care-requiring seniors.
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It would be nice to have such simple and clear statistics on how Canada is faring economically compared to other countries, and why, but there the tangle of variables is even more huge. Certainly it could be a lot worse nationally, and for all that some local folks have resented the influx of Torontonians fleeing Covid this past summer, I’m sure a lot of Muskoka businesses are still alive and will continue to be because they came.
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Of course I agree with Hugh on the bottom line — we will all be better if none of us are covidiots. Wear your mask, wash your hands, stay six feet away, don’t throw or attend parties. Normal life is coming….! The Spanish flu was much more deadlyy, killed tens of millions, but was finished in about a year and a half.
Hugh, our leaders are working together 24/7 trying their best to steer our ship through a fog with no map. Not an easy job. Thank you for giving them credit when credit is due. We need more of that.
Hugh, my understanding is that both Russia and the States have a vaccine. Russians are using theirs, and I believe that the US experts are reporting on the results of incredibly rushed trials today (or Thursday…memory at my age). Of course, Trump will use everything in his power (and some things that aren’t) to obtain immediate FDA approval. He needs a “Hail Mary” pass now; and his arsenal is empty.
Trudeau has repeated his order to keep the Canada/US border closed until they get the virus under control. Ford has announced billions to combat the expected second wave. I agree that our governments have acted prudently throughout the pandemic.
Interestingly, Taiwan has been the most successful by far in dealing with the virus. With a population of approximately 24M, they quarantined 1% of the population (which was infected) for 14 days; but did not shut down anything. After this period of isolation, the 1% were either re-introduced or hospitalized.
And here’s the kicker: They’ve had 7 deaths to date. By comparison, NY state, with a population of 25M, has experienced deaths in excess of 34,000.
Close, Mr.Hogg, very close, but no cigar. (I believe Pogo was a possum)
Yes, science shows that proper masking, handwashing, and physical distancing are key. Medical experts also remind us to stay strictly within our social bubble.
Mr. Vowels; our best approach is ALL 3 (physical distancing, masking, and handwashing). Let’s not get into discussion about which is better or least important. All 3 are required at the same time.
One anecdote only- my husband’s elective knee replacement surgery was scheduled for March this year, cancelled. This was picked up asap in July and successful. In contacting the surgeon’s office this past week to inquire about a second elective surgery, I learned that all cancelled surgeries for this doctor with the first shut down had been caught up to date. In this instance, that would also include any emergency surgeries that have come his way in the interim.
Another great column on a very touchy subject but I think you explained things in a great way. As much as I would like to complain about the way all our govt’s are handling this the one thing I know for sure is I’m happy it’s them and not me making the decisions. The biggest worry I have about all this is the economy and our basic health as of right now it’s hard to see your doctor mine is great at least he calls us back if we have a question but it’s appointment only to see him and there are a lot of restrictions from what I hear. I still would like to see figures on how many deaths there has been because of people not getting surgery or just not going to hospital out of fear and end up dying. These figures should be reported just like the ones caused by corvid-19. Hugh is right if we social distance and wear a mask when in crowds we can and will beat this thing personalty I think social distance is more important than the mask but I wear one in stores anyway and we try and do any shopping we have to as early as we can before it gets busy not much more than that people can do.
Hugh, a balanced approach in your article. However, social scientists, communications specialists & artists could be of benefit in this time. Are there public educational methods we could learn to apply now? What have made previous programs such as “Participaction”, anti-littering campaigns, smoke-cessation public announcements, songs for handwashing, reporting of sexual assault on college campuses, etc. — that could help our citizenry to choose and maintain healthier behaviours?
I can’t help but imagine a recognizable children’s character, or a rap music singer with classic dance moves, with lyrics and simple tune for COVID safety behaviours, for self or others, as worth some kind of investment and broadcast. Could there be a national contest for song writers, dance choreographers?
Making the message simple, easily repeatable. Some targeting for particular age groups, with age-appropriate messages. Preaching/chiding/pleading from a public lectern will have but limited effectiveness, in my view, for long-standing behaviour compliance and cooperation.
For our teens, it has to be “cool” (or whatever the current descriptor is for “sic”, “hip”) to follow guidelines.
Thank you for listening.
Hugh , most people find it easy to be critical of those they disagree with .The challenge is to be constructive in that criticism , a skill many are too lazy or agendized ( is that a word ? ) to acquire !
After a Google search I found:
Walt Kelly’s phrase, “We have met the enemy and he is us” derives from braggadocio during the War of 1812 in which commodore Oliver Hazard Perry reported, “We have met the enemy and they are ours” to William Henry Harrison after the Battle of Lake Erie.