Hugh Mackenzie
Huntsville Doppler
When it got sold a few months ago, I actually thought the Toronto Star might move more toward the centre and become less of a propaganda sheet for the political left. I guess with former Premier David Peterson appointed as the Star’s new vice chair, I should have known better. But I had high hopes.
On Friday, the Toronto Star led with a bold headline that read “This is Ontario’s lose-lose approach to the pandemic.” Immediately above the headline were mug shots of Health Minister Christine Elliott, Premier Doug Ford, and Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. David Williams. They are the bad guys.
The good guys are anyone the Toronto Star can find to support their campaign to discredit the Ford Government and the health experts they rely on when it comes to their management of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Star article goes on to do just that, basically claiming they know better than the Government about how to handle the current crisis. No surprise there, I guess.
Then there is the newly minted leader of the Ontario Liberals, Steven Del Duca. Frankly, I liked his predecessor better. Del Duca basically accused Doug Ford of murder. He says, “Doug Ford failed us. His lies and betrayals will continue to cost lives.” His NDP opposition counterpart, Andrea Horwath, spouts much of the same drivel.
Okay folks, it is time to cut out the inflammatory rhetoric and the nastiness. It feeds bitterness, anger, resentment, and depression. To top it off, it is factually inaccurate, and has the potential of doing much more harm than any government can do.
No government at any of the federal, provincial, or local levels will endure this pandemic without making mistakes. In addition, not all scientists will agree with each other about the best way to deal with it. There is no definitive text book on how to effectively manage COVID-19. There are no perfect answers. All we can expect from those who bear the heavy weight of responsibility during the pandemic is that they do their best. A campaign of ‘my guys know better than your guys’ accomplishes nothing.
There are really three elements involved in managing a pandemic. Of course, controlling the curve of the virus and keeping people as safe as possible is vital. Although many choose to ignore it, balancing this with protecting our economy is also of singular importance. Without economic survival we cannot thrive and, importantly, we cannot care for those who genuinely need caring for. And finally, there is the whole issue of mental health, especially depression, which in itself at this stage in the pandemic is raising its head as a major crisis. For governments of all stripes, all of this is a high-wire act, with more than just one ball in the air.
We are well into the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was anticipated and it was predicted to be worse than the first stage. All of that has come to be, not just here but, with few exceptions, world-wide.
The good news, if there is any, is that we are better prepared for it. The bad news is that many people are not doing what needs to be done in order to control and reduce this virulent virus. Many are becoming impatient and frustrated, others just plain stubborn about what they consider to be their ‘rights’.
COVID-19 infections are soaring and the hard facts are that this is much more a factor of people not wearing masks, social distancing, and following other required protocols than it is about anything which a government can do.
Even in Huntsville, where to date we have recorded less than 30 COVID-19 infections, I marvel at young kids leaving school in packs and with few masks, as if life has not changed in any way. I had one call about a class of about 25 on an outing, walking closely together without masks, even the teacher! I shake my head. Surely, this can only lead to trouble.
Those who believe that masks and distancing don’t matter in controlling this virus just need to look at two recent and specific events in the United States. The first was when about two hundred people gathered in the Rose Garden at the White House to witness the swearing in of Amy Coney Barrett as a Supreme Court Justice. The second one was also at the White House, when about the same number assembled to watch the election returns.
In both cases, very few masks and almost no distancing. Also in both cases, a very high level of proven infections. It’s a simple equation. No masks, no distancing, equals real risk of infection to you and to others.
Premier Doug Ford has said recently, we are “staring down the barrel of another lockdown” if COVID-19 protocols are not followed. If virus infections continue to soar, that may be inevitable as a last resort. But it would also be close to a disaster.
Many small businesses that barely survived the first lockdown would be wiped out by the second one, and the long-term financial impact on families and individuals severe. Parents of young children already overburdened between caring for their families and holding down jobs will be at their breaking point. Schools and recreational services may have to close again. Depression will become more rampant, with serious consequences, putting more pressure on an already fragile health care system. Frustration and anger could well rise to the level of civil disobedience. No amount of government money (your tax dollars) can reverse this.
Clearly, it is up to us. We need to wear masks when we are close to anyone outside of our homes. We need to social distance and avoid crowds. We need to know who we are associating with and keep our gatherings small. Most scientists agree these are the keys to reducing and controlling the COVID-19 virus. If we simply follow the COVID-19 protocols and encourage others to do so, we can avoid another complete lockdown.
As for our elected officials, if there was ever a time for politicians to work together, this is it. In Ontario, an election is more than a year and a half away. There will be plenty of time for partisan politics then, but not now. And yes, in terms of controlling the pandemic, I feel the same way about partisan politics at the federal level.
Passing the buck, pointing fingers, and employing scare tactics by ourselves, politicians, or indeed the media are not a formula for any kind of meaningful pandemic recovery. Rather, a united front in encouraging people to take responsibility for the safety of themselves and others by following COVID protocols, along with a combined determination to demonstrate compassion, common sense, hope, and a light at the end of the tunnel is what is desperately needed right now.
We all have an important part to play in this. Otherwise, it will get very nasty and we cannot allow that.
Hugh Mackenzie
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To say that the CBC is a balanced news source is ridiculous. It is a mouth-piece for the Ottawa-Montreal clique.
All on our dime.
Here, here, Mr. Holland, thankyou.
Mainstream print, TV and Internet media employ people trained in the principles of journalism. Professional journalists strive to provide independent verified truth and to present information on significant topics in an interesting and relevant manner. Privately owned outlets have the stated or obvious left or right political bias of their owners like the arch-conservative Rupert Murdock who owns FOX and the Wall Street Journal, and much of the media in Britain and Australia. So, the most accurate and balanced information is likely to be found in moderate, center-right or center-left outlets like the Globe and Mail and the Star, but even they occasionally stray from their core values if one of their writers has a bad day.
There is a growing proliferation of fringe media that tends to express extreme views. Sun Media has become one of them. Some of these fringe media are from hostile foreign sources seeking to influence political opinion to their own advantage. Russia is a poor country that cannot afford to compete with conventional weapons, so they increasingly focus on nuclear and cyber weapons. Social media has some value, but it consists mainly of comments and opinion that seldom follow the disciplined principles of trained journalists.
In Canada, we are fortunate to have the CBC that is arguably the most balanced source in North America because it has to survive under alternating Liberal and Conservative government funding. It does not hesitate to criticize either one. That is as it should be. Both good and bad ideas can come from either left or right.
Hugh, to your point, I agree that some people aren’t behaving. It’s really quite simple; wear a mask properly (unless you’re exempt), physically distance, wash your hands or use hand sanitizer as required, stay home if you’re exhibiting symptoms of COVID or think you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, and limit your maskless interactions to those in your household or ‘bubble’ according to recommendations. I must say, the latter seems to be quite a challenge for some people. It has been my experience that we all have our own interpretation of what “being careful,” “making calculated risk decisions,” and/or “being strict” means. This is a loaded topic in and of itself. It seems that making decisions that are in everyone’s best interest is not easy. To note, Huntsville’s number of COVID cases is increasing almost weekly. That’s disheartening.
According to a survey, it’s expected that our winter population will be much higher this year due to seasonal residents opting to winter here on weekends and/or during the week. This is a bonus for local businesses. However, I implore you: PLEASE follow protocols (and I might add, local residents please follow protocols for the safety of everyone). If you have out of town visitors, please be cognizant of the fact that our although our local health care system is truly wonderful, their resources are limited. This means that visitors to our community might want to be mindful of the possible adverse consequences with respect to going out and about in our community – especially if you’re from a ‘hotspot’.
“a united front in encouraging people to take responsibility for the safety of themselves and others by following COVID protocols,“ Hugh, your emphasis on individuals taking responsibility for their own actions is key. It would seem our second wave in Ontario, and Canada, may be rooted in a lack of clarity around protocols. Many people look for examples as to how to behave, and sadly some look south to the practises of the leadership there, further politicizing something that should be medically based. The DF government has done well throughout. But they did drop the ball this time and ignored medical advice. They got caught and redid the protocols. Sadly, the mixed messaging and pandemic fatigue has destabilized attitudes and communities. Anna-Lise speaks well to this and other issues. Citizens do need to keep watch because this government is removing environmental protections (e.g. taking over conservation authorities to enable destruction of sensitive regions by developers) and have procrastinated on protecting people in LTC homes. Quebec stepped up and quickly hired and trained 1000s of LTC workers but Ontario deregulated or ignored violations of standards in LTC. We need our journalists to keep digging and get the facts. And i agree we need the reporting to be as informative as possible without political rhetoric.
My opinion may not get posted but it seems to me that we have been raising a society of people who are never to blame for anything that happens it’s always someone else that is to blame. It all starts with parents never blaming there kids no matter what happens. Then when they grow up most of the time it’s the Govt’s that is to blame for not doing enough or doing to much people never say it was my own falt for not doing what i was told to do. It’s the same with covid -19 if we wear a mask and social distance most likely we will be ok but if we do contact it then most likely it’s our own doing not the Govt. So lets stop the name calling game and all do our part just maybe we can stay healthy.
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Thank you Hugh for your emphasis on individual responsibility. It must be balanced with system responsibility (preparation, communication, response). We don’t need the Toronto Star to discredit the DF government, he is doing a fine job of this on his own (consider his election platform of 2018, buck-a-beer, and rolling back the revised 2015 Health Education – “Sex ed” Curriculum).
A partial account of how we have arrived here with LTC concerns:
For-profits are deemed business-minded and investment is sought/allowed in a health sector, with the Conservative promise that the legislative safeguards in place are sufficient to capture any wrong-doing. Business complains that there are too many regulations, restrictions, “red tape” for their operations to achieve efficient outcomes (this may/may not be coupled with complaints that the non-profits are part of the “gravy train” of government funding and tax payer dollars).
Friendly, “business governments” promise to make it easier on the taxpayer by reducing taxes and to make it easier on businesses/business development by de-regulating/de-enacting (reasoning that of course for-profits are better managers and are all very ethical).
For-profits are now accountable to their investors/stock-shareholders, in addition to the services they provide, the clients/patients, staff they supposedly serve.
An old adage – scriptural actually – “a person cannot serve two masters”.
I am very open to discussion and instruction on this viewpoint.
It is important to call a spade a spade in these times. I understand frustration first hand, especially when it is about the elderly in LTC. I understand the attempts to be a peacemaker and tone down the rhetoric. I also appreciate the role of media in expressing or inciting viewpoints.
The pandemic has opened opportunities for change, change in what and how we act. Change in our views of society, community, individual responsibility. I will write more about LTC and the greed to invest, make a sustainable profit the backs of the elderly and their care options, let alone the Ontario taxpayer.
The pandemic, as many have written shines a light on how we operate as a society – these are big issues and important to address. They should be discussed and more demanded of our representatives in government for the immediate and long term future.
Tha Toronto Star is a opinion rag.! I used to have it delivered because it was the only one that would deliver .When the opinions outwayrd the actual news reporting I ditched it . The Negativity was astounding .The Toronto Sun is much the same with a right wing bent , so much so there are actually Trump apologists employed there. Radical left or right is what troubles Canada and that story is playing out before our eyes in the Disunited States of America .Stop politicizing people’s health !