As we enter the third COVID wave in Ontario it is “all hands on deck” says the premier.
To me, an emergency physician, this means that from the very beginning of the pandemic all primary care physicians (over 9,000 in Ontario) will have been engaged with the MOH [Ministry of Health] and our public health system. Every year, along with our pharmacists, they immunize Ontarians against influenza and other infectious diseases. The doctors know their patients, those at high risks, and those who are hesitant, and can address their concerns from a position of trust. Did this happen in a timely and organized way?
Sadly, it was only in the last several weeks that the bedrock of our health care providers were sporadically engaged. Our information technology, EMR (electronic medical records), were not integrated and a new software program, COVaxON, needed introduction. The pace of vaccinations has been distressingly slow. Despite our challenging experience with SARS over a decade ago we were not prepared for another pandemic and had no vaccine-tracking portal in our Ontario EMR. Are the IT specialists utilized by the MOH now finally working at how to correct these deficiencies?
The MOH needs a special task force to formulate operational plans before the next pandemic rather than contracting a retired general on D-day. A disaster plan is required and it needs periodic testing. With the spread of zoonotic diseases worldwide we will be tested again; it is not IF, it is only WHEN.
In the meantime we need a much faster, more comprehensive vaccination pace and further steps to mitigate spread of the virus, especially given the increase in more infectious variants.
The relaxation of public health restrictions is the worst possible plan, especially in high-risk settings such as indoor dining. COVID embraces congregate settings in spring temperatures even more than our weary populace who are progressively dropping their guard. We have not vaccinated enough of our population to open up and this requires resolute, informed, central leadership who recognize our risks.
There are worldwide examples from other democracies as to how to shutdown COVID. Where are our leaders?
Sincerely,
Ian G. Hastie, MD
Don’t miss out on Doppler!
Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox three times per week!
Click here to support local news
We got our Covid vaccination on Saturday in Huntsville, and are grateful. Since in order to get an appointment we needed to use our health card number, they had all our information. I don’t understand why there were so many steps with people recording all the same information. All these people are getting paid, and this labor intensive process must be very costly.
I agree with Dr. Hastie and also with John Plumpton. My husband and I had our first vaccine shot at the Active Living Centre on March 1st and found it to be very organized. Now my only concern is the long wait between shots. 16 weeks is far too long, maybe the Doctors will change the Governments mind on this.
Beryl Clayson
My compliments to all that operated the vaccination station at the Active Centre in Huntsville. I found the whole process smooth and efficient. From the friendly and helpful security guard to the nurses and out the door all was very efficient. When my wife went on Thursday they had a minor computer glitch but then moved through efficiently. Thanks again to all at the vaccination station
We really appreciate Dr Ian Hastie’s advise. It is very sad that the immunization has not been delegated to our very capable family physicians offices to administer the Covid vaccines as they all have EMR and it would be so easy for them to have speedily organized this Covid immunization schedule. This whole Covid pandemic has been so mismanagement right from the start.
On another subject. I was grocery shopping at Bullocks Tuesday morning at 9 am and to my disappointment there was a young very well dressed male around 30 years old without a mask. I gently pointed out to him that he was not wearing a mask? I was double masked. He just shrug his shoulders and grinned at me with “I don’t care attitude “ I am aware that the store can’t stop people from not wearing a mask, but is so disappointing that someone just does not care if he spreads more Covid in our community. It just shows absolutely no respect for all our healthcare workers and the clerks working so hard at the grocery store every day for over a year. We are all very tired of this Covid pandemic, but it won’t go away with that attitude.
Ian , Dr. Hastie would make an excellent addition to a provincial or District task force, with his knowledge and expertise to help prepare for the next pandemic. “Not if but when.”
Dr. Hastie.
Sir, you have hit the nail square on the head.
Only drawback is the fact that humans and politicians are involved.
Humans can learn, politicians, is there really any hope?