Hugh Mackenzie
Well, here we go again. Another lockdown, this one for at least four weeks. Let the blame game begin. Again.
On Friday, I happened to tune in to a talk show on a Toronto radio station. The topic of the day was the decision of the Ontario Government to impose an “emergency brake” on the province in another effort to lower the curve of COVID-19 infections and the stress on our healthcare system. These kinds of programs can often result in some pretty blunt conversations.
This time they were over the top, like I have never heard before. The anger was palpable, deep, uncompromising, promoting lack of compliance and bordering on civil disobedience. It was denial in its fiercest form.
Earlier in the week, I had a call from a Huntsville resident whom I did not know, who was basically accusing all media of covering up the fact that this pandemic wasn’t real, but rather a plot by world governments to grab more power. Really! As if there was a snowball’s chance in Hell that many governments could agree on the time of day, let alone organize a global fake pandemic.
Yesterday, I saw a Zoom picture of many hundreds of anti-maskers, demonstrating on University Avenue in Toronto. That same day, I talked to someone I know and respect in Huntsville who said that while he knew the pandemic was real, he questioned whether many of the restrictions were necessary, effective, or fairly distributed.
And then there is Randy Hillier, an Ontario MPP from the Kingston area and a far right-wing zealot. Kingston has many things to be proud of, but this guy is not one of them. A couple of years ago he was thrown out of the Conservative caucus for his outrageous statements and behaviour. Now he is loudly comparing the Ontario Government’s actions to control the third wave of the pandemic to the Third Reich of Nazi Germany.
The Premier of Alberta, Jason Kenney, said this about Hillier’s diatribe: “There is—and should be—a vibrant debate about how best to deal with the pandemic. But equating the public health measures of democratically elected and accountable governments to the genocidal antisemitism of the Nazi Third Reich is odious. And bonkers.”
I agree with Kenney and in my view if they have the power to do it, Hillier should be thrown completely out of the Ontario Legislature. Hate speech is not free speech.
However, we should not be fooling ourselves. With a third shutdown in this province, there is a lot of frustration, anger, and hostility out there, and an increasing number of agitators stirring it up for their own purposes, causing many good people to second-guess what is really going on. I fear we are sitting on a tinderbox of resentment, resistance, and civil unrest.
This third wave of the pandemic is not just an Ontario problem. To blame that on Trudeau or Ford is just wrong. It is occurring in many parts of the world and in other parts of Canada, especially where there is a higher density of population. Canada’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Theresa Tam, has said very recently that stronger measures are needed across the country to supress the resurgence of COVID-19 and its variants.
We can and we have second-guessed the actions of all levels of government at various stages of this pandemic. And there are unquestionably real examples of insufficient vaccine availability from the Federal Government, and of unfairness in the manner pandemic restrictions have been applied by the province. Nevertheless, as we enter this third wave, when frustration levels are high, nerves are frayed, patience exhausted, and resources to survive strained, it is time to ratchet things down a notch or two before things get out of hand.
In the course of this pandemic, we are at a crossroads now; a place where the curve of the virus meets the effectiveness of the vaccine. When you break it all down, there are only three elements that must occur for the vaccine to be effective and win the day.
First, the vaccine must be available. There has been much debate about this. The Province of Ontario blames the Federal Government for a lack of supply, citing a shortfall in March of 850,000 doses which were promised and not delivered. The Federal Government takes issue with this, saying Ontario has been supplied with more vaccines than they need. Frankly, who knows who is right? Sadly, most of us will make up our minds based on who we support politically, and that does absolutely nothing to resolve the issue of supply.
One Conservative insider has told me that the decision has been made by the provincial government to stop the blame game going forward, as it accomplishes nothing. I hope that actually happens at both levels of government. It will tone down the rhetoric and be a good step forward. All signs now point to an increased availability of vaccines and that should be the top priority for everyone.
Second, we must get vaccines in people’s arms. Once they have the vaccines, that responsibility lies with the provincial government. In my view, the jury is still out on how effective a job the Ford Government is doing on this. As I mentioned in a previous article, the experience my wife and I had in receiving our vaccines was flawless. However, I have also heard a number of tales of confusion, frustration, and delay from those whose experience in getting the vaccine did not go as smoothly as ours.
I am told by someone with many years’ experience at Queen’s Park, through Liberal and Conservative governments, that their distribution system is now capable of handling as many vaccines as they receive as well as a future increase in supply. The proof of that will be in the pudding but it is an essential part of ending this pandemic.
In terms of getting vaccines in people’s arms, it is also important for the government to deal with vaccine hesitancy, which is a growing issue, especially since efficacy issues have been raised with one of the vaccines. Herd immunity, which will bring the COVID-19 virus to its knees—if not eliminate it—cannot occur unless the vast majority of people are vaccinated.
I do not agree with those who suggest that COVID-19 vaccines should be mandatory. People have the right to make their own decisions about their body. But I also support the ability of airlines, cruise ships, other businesses and organizations to refuse service to those who make the decision not to be immunized. That, too, is their right and it protects the majority of our population.
Third and finally, we need to remember that governments, Liberal or Conservative, do not spread the COVID-19 virus. We do. At the end of the day, only we can spread it and only we can prevent it or greatly reduce its efficacy. It is our behaviour that determines the curve.
That means when it is your turn to get the vaccination, go for it. It means wearing masks, vaccinated or not, when out in public. It means avoiding crowds and maintaining social distancing. I acknowledge that to many this is a major pain in the rear end, and to others it presents serious financial implications. But the reality is that the choice is ours. Governments can manage this pandemic, but they cannot end it. Only we can.
There was no playbook for this pandemic—although it will certainly provide one for the future—and so, of course, there have been mistakes. In these most stressful of times, it is easy to point fingers, to find that fall guy, and refuse to play by the rules. There is always a threshold for that, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t solve the problem.
Most people now know who Dr. Anthony Fauci is: a prominent American medical expert when it comes to infectious diseases. In a recent interview he reiterated that COVID-19 “is our common enemy.” He went on to lament, “Instead of fighting it, we are fighting each other.” He was speaking about the United States, but the same applies here and the danger of it increasing is real.
Criticism and accountability when warranted are fair game. Obstruction, misinformation, character assassination, conspiracy theories, and outright disobedience are not. The phrase, “We are all in this together” is really getting tired (just like the rest of us) but it remains true. If we really want to beat this pandemic, each of us has an important role to play.
Let’s just buckle up and get the job done.
Hugh Mackenzie has held elected office as a trustee on the Muskoka Board of Education, a Huntsville councillor, a District councillor, and mayor of Huntsville. He has also served as chairman of the District Muskoka and as chief of staff to former premier of Ontario, Frank Miller.
Hugh has served on a number of provincial, federal and local boards, including chair of the Ontario Health Disciplines Board, vice-chair of the Ontario Family Health Network, vice-chair of the Ontario Election Finance Commission, and board member of Roy Thomson Hall, the National Theatre School of Canada, and the Anglican Church of Canada. Locally, he has served as president of the Huntsville Rotary Club, chair of Huntsville District Memorial Hospital, chair of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, president of Huntsville Festival of the Arts, and board member of Community Living Huntsville.
In business, Hugh Mackenzie has a background in radio and newspaper publishing. He was also a founding partner and CEO of Enterprise Canada, a national public affairs and strategic communications firm established in 1986.
Currently Hugh is president of C3 Digital Media Inc. and enjoys writing commentary for Huntsville Doppler.
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Hi folks, here is an interview link with Bruce Arthur from Toronto Star, “It was a choice”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orx9wcyKKBE
His views are in line with many professionals in this province. What you will hear is that having a weak Medical Officer of Health, a cabinet lacking in science understanding, and a weak Premier has helped to get us to in this third deadly wave.
As mentioned many moons ago, RNAO (Registered Nurses Association of Ontario) called for the resignation of Dr. Williams; instead his term was extended by DF.
The interview is 25 minutes, hope you will listen in. Next time you vote, I hope you consider a party demonstrating some better interest in science. Thanks for reading.
I personally feel that the Ontario Conservative party under the leadership of Premier Doug Ford has failed the front line workers .They should have been vaccinated after the LTC residents and their staff. Here are two letters I emailed to the premier on April 2nd and today April 6th .
John Barltrop
Fri, Apr 2, 9:52 AM (4 days ago)
to paul.calandra, premier
Dear Premier Ford
You are closing down patios , allowing only 5 people in an outdoor setting , but you are allowing 30 plus students in a classroom where the educators have not received their vaccine shots .
In the GTA most Covid -19 / variant cases are in workplaces like warehouses, factories, and grocery stores where people have no choice but to go to work (often on crowded buses). Why are these frontline workers not getting their shots ?
In this “white lockdown” , what are the real changes as Costco , malls , golf centers et al are still open ? A lockdown to me means one can only go to grocery stores , pharmacies , banks , and one hunkers down at home .
There has been so much mixed messaging over the past year that many people just want to live a normal life . This is the third shutdown and now many citizens are not taking this variant outbreak seriously because the government has not followed the medical advice . We are only pretending ,as we should have had a real lockdown like Australia .
My wife and I are fortunate that we received our first Pfizer shot in the York Region 10 days ago .
Staying Alive.
john barltrop
Markham, Ontario
Most diverse, inclusive city in Canada
John Barltrop
3:42 PM (3 hours ago)
to premier, stephen.lecce, Paul, ahorwath-qp, mayor_tory, mayorscarpitti
Dear Premier Doug Ford
Was this a political move on your part to send vaccines to the District School Board Niagara( Conservative voting area ) where all educational workers can be vaccinated from April 10- April 18 ?
I agree with the EFTO ,which has urged you to prioritize its members in the vaccine rollout . All educational workers in the GTHA and other hot zones could similarly be vaccinated from April 10 – April 18, like the DSBN .
Forget the age groups and get all the front line workers vaccinated now .
Staying Alive
John Barltrop
Markham, Ontario
Most diverse, inclusive city in Canada
Brenda Begg, I agree with you. DF government has been tone deaf on the need to reduce the spread in essential service workers and their families by paid sick leave.
Follow Bruce Arthur in the Toronto Star, he seems to have an eagle eye on many of the issues of government responses. I find his commentary right on the mark.
What was significant to me of late was the open letter to the Ford government from the doctors, urging an “ethical” response in closures; they too noted that without the health of your citizens, you have no business. I would add, also no development (a favourite marketplace for DF).
The fact that doctors have to remind the DF government of what is ethical says it all for me!
Mr. Mackenzie a great article, thank you.
While I appreciate Hugh Mackenzie’s call to end the blame game and unite against the common “foe”, I think Paul Whillans’ comments are right on. There is a playbook but few political leaders seem to have the courage and resolve to follow it. Very frustrating.
There is nothing being said about the other factors at play in this Neverending pandemic. For example, medical experts and the like have been saying for over a year now that the implementation of paid sick days needs to happen. NOW. When there is a choice to be made as to whether to go to work sick and have the money to pay for the necessities such as food and shelter, or stay home without paid sick leave- for many, the decision is to go to work despite being sick with Covid. Everyone loses in this scenario. Additionally, there are people living in multigenerational households. It’s pretty darn hard to isolate under those circumstances. Unfortunately, those in their white ivory tower with blinders on and operating under a narrow-minded business model (yes, I’m referring to DF government) continue to make decisions that harm and devastate so many people and ultimately, our economy. As for LTC… A very, very sad and preventable state of affairs.
And, vaccinations: I think we can expect that vaccine passports will be required (e.g. to board a plane, take a group tour). It seems that vaccinations are our only way out of this roller coaster pandemic. I agree. It’s unlikely that 75% of our population will get vaccinated. Then what?
While you may be correct in suggesting that too much time and effort has been spent on looking back at what was done wrong and right, it is just incorrect to suggest that “there was no playbook for the pandemic”.
I studied this at a graduate school level 39 years ago. It was known then precisely how to manage a viral, respiratory pandemic. At that time, the prescription for managing this had been known and documented for 25 years (since after the 57 Avian Flu outbreak). The elements of this have not changed in 65 years.
So in spite of what you or Mr Ford claim, the “experts”; the “scientists” have known for the past year how to end this. It could have been done last July when new cases were less than 100 a day and the spread rate was under .9.
But in all the “playbook” work, it was assumed that government bodies would enforce management rules (i.e. travel; mask; congregation). That never happened. And it is totally unreasonable to assume that un- or mis- informed citizens will just naturally give up their lifestyles/needs/wants for some amorphous greater good.
This has been what has delivered us to this point. While it is water under the bridge, it raises the same questions about going forward.
To reach herd immunity, 75% of adults need to be vaccinated. It is unlikely to happen. The vaccine you recently received will likely be degraded to the point that in a year you will be again vulnerable (for my daughter who was vaccinated in December; she has 9 months to go). So what then does the future look like?
Without behavioural change (enforced or otherwise), this continues. If it is to be a recurring vaccination plan like with the flu, vaccination rates for the flu have never exceeded 46%, so presumably some 8 million Ontarian will constantly be vulnerable to Covid. Can you reopen the economy with such a prospect? Will consumers think it is safe to venture out in such a world or do small businesses/tourism simply dry up?
At some point, the elected leaders have to make the decision that they have to this point ignored. Do they enforce the requisite behavioural change to try and restore a free and safe community or do they continue to dither and watch a minor dystopia unfold.
They can start with the immediate question of whether some sort of vaccine passport system is required as a matter of public health.
It is clear what side I would be on. Mr Mackenzie, being a pink Tory, what side would you be on? (kicking these questions down the road is not helpful)
Hugh, I completely agree with everything you wrote; well done! I keep harkening back to Dr. Bonnie Henry’s mantra: “Be kind, be calm, be safe”. I would add “be thoughtful, be informed, be resilient”. And to use Jason K’s word “bonkers”..don’t be that!
Well said Hugh. I agree with everything you say here–even about the right to not be vaacinated although I do find that difficult to accept. I want everyone to recognize that the biggest reason for doing it is to care for “the other” but its hard to make rules about what that means and how that should be done. We certainly do need to take care of ourselves but this pandemic is forcing us to recognize how interdependent we are and how taking care of others is a big part of taking care of ourselves. I am the farthest thing from a war-monger but these days I do find myself using imagery about “battle” and making “sacrifices” for the common good like citizens were asked to do during the two major European Wars which we call WW I and II. Sigh. Thanks for getting us to listen up and think!! I pray your efforts are not in vain.
Canada is 42nd in the world in terms of vaccination / 100,000. Trudeau is responsible for our vaccine shortage. Excessive naivety ( to be generous ) of the Chinese / Cdn. political reality led Trudeau to do a deal with the Chinese for a vaccine. We all know what happened to that supply. Then he was late to the table for other vaccines. I would suggest Doug Ford concentrate vaccine distribution to the Covid hot spots in Toronto and Peel. Instead of a province wide lockdown , focus on the areas that have high
Covid numbers. Muskoka , for example is one health region that has few cases , and does not need to be “locked down “.
Theresa Tam, has said very recently that stronger measures are needed across the country to supress the resurgence of COVID-19 and its variants.
Stronger measures according to the various news outlets Canada is still allowing 60,000 international passengers to land at Canadian airports.
Children are still attending schools… Daycare is still open. The list is endless.
Politics come first. Life, death and common sense always last!
Deniers throughout history are never part of a solution but more often enablers of the problem….Hillier is Pathetic !