CCBI Resources for COVID-19 Matters

All of us at CCBI wish all our friends and supporters a Blessed Eastertide. Christ is risen! Truly he is risen!

One important advantage of modern technology is that we are able to join in liturgical services courtesy of our bishops and priests who livestream them, often daily. Thank you!

Many of us have also been joining in liturgies from the Vatican, which were all the more moving in their celebration before such a small congregation. Spiritual Communion has taken on a much deeper meaning over Lent, and now in Eastertide.

Our first article explains how Pope Francis is reacting to the different world in which we are moving, and the comment, ‘Francis’ voice resounds in a world thirsting for meaning,’ resonates with us!

Another article we are sending today is a homily by Fr Cantalamessa, homilist at St Peter’s on Good Friday. His words on suffering and its significance speak to the heart of what many are experiencing during the current pandemic. Related to the question of suffering are some paragraphs found in the article by David Cayley. The question of suffering is of great spiritual and pastoral importance, and the articles aim to remind us of the natural order of our ‘creatureliness’ and God’s dominion, in a world which seeks to avoid the reality of both factors.

The tragic fate of so many elderly people has left us saddened, shocked and questioning how this could have happened, right on our own doorsteps! Although moves are now being made to rectify the situation, we have to ensure that the vulnerable elderly do not suffer in this way again. They continue to bear the brunt of the pandemic, as was known they would, simply because of their vulnerable condition, but it has become clear that negligence has played a part in some cases. This is a much bigger moral and ethical question than dealing with COVID-19. Some questions are already being asked, and we include some material which might at least help us in the future.

Moira McQueen, LLB, MDiv, PhD
Executive Director, Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute
Lecturer, Faculty of Theology
University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto


Pope Francis and the Coronavirus Crisis | LA CIVILTÀ CATTOLICA

The liturgical celebration that ended with a blessing Urbi et Orbi in an empty St. Peter’s Square on Friday, March 27, was the image of a universal condition. The emptiness of the square absorbed into itself the voices of a world sick or at risk of illness, of those called to stay at home, in isolation or quarantine.

www.laciviltacattolica.com

America Magazine

www.americamagazine.org

Father Cantalamessa: Coronavirus rouses world from delusion of omnipotence | America Magazine

The preacher of the papal household said on April 10, Good Friday, that “Christ’s cross changed the meaning of pain and human suffering, in that both are no longer viewed as divine punishment or a …

https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2020/04/10/father-cantalamessa-coronavirus-rouses-world-delusion-omnipotence?utm_source=Newsletters&utm_campaign=55a405302f-DAILY_CAMPAIGN_2020_04_10&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0fe8ed70be-55a405302f-58627877

David Cayley, Questions About The Current Pandemic From The Point Of View Of Ivan Illich

https://www.quodlibet.it/david-cayley-questions-about-the-current-pandemic-from-the-point

David Cayley, Questions about the current pandemic from the point of view of Ivan Illich – Quodlibet

David Cayley Questions about the current pandemic from the point of view of Ivan Illich April 8, 2020 «Una voce» accoglie un testo di David Cayley (www.davidcayley.com), scrittore e conduttore radiofonico canadese (Toronto), autore per anni del programma Ideas per l’emittente CBC Radio One.Ha collaborato alla realizzazione di alcuni volumi di Ivan Illich tra i quali Quodlibet ha pubblicato:

www.quodlibet.it

The Globe and Mail  www.theglobeandmail.com

Why Nursing homes are so vulnerable to COVID-19…

Opinion: Why nursing homes are so vulnerable to COVID-19 catastrophe – The Globe and Mail

Nathan Stall is a geriatrician at Sinai Health System (SHS) in Toronto and a research fellow at the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto. Samir Sinha …

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-why-nursing-homes-are-so-vulnerable-to-covid-19-catastrophe/?utm_medium=Referrer:+Social+Network+/+Media&utm_campaign=Shared+Web+Article+Links

National Institute on Ageing (Canada)

Bringing Attention to Issues Associated with COVID-19 to Protect Older Canadians

‘We’ve already lost a number of battles’: Geriatrician on COVID-19

“This is not a drill. I wept last night. I’m working double hours. We know what’s coming -this is all Math. We know that not everybody has been doing the physical distancing that the Prime Minister and our health officials have been asking us to do. Some people have been taking this lightly – please don’t. I’m working these long hours, all my colleagues are working these long hours. We know we could die in caring for you. We know that this is not going to be easy. We are here and we are ready. But don’t disappoint us. We all need to do our part. Please take this seriously.” – Dr. Samir Sinha tells Rosemary Barton on CBC News

https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1934513

Ongoing Challenges in Long-Term Care

Globe and Mail – If you can get your relatives out of seniors’ homes, try to do so as fast as you can 
by Andre Picard

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-if-you-can-get-your-relatives-out-of-seniors-homes-try-to-do-so-as/

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-families-face-tough-call-over-removing-loved-ones-from-long-term-care/

Globe and Mail – Why nursing homes are so vulnerable to
COVID-19 catastrophe
by Nathan Stall and Samir Sinha 

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-why-nursing-homes-are-so-vulnerable-to-covid-19-catastrophe/?utm_medium=Referrer:+Social+Network+/+Media&utm_campaign=Shared+Web+Article+Links

CTV News – Long-Term Care homes hit hard

https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1933919


Dr. Samir Sinha joins CTV News Channel and answers the question –

“How do we get ahead of COVID-19 in LTC?”

1. Make sure every healthcare worker is wearing a mask.

2.  Test everyone during an outbreak because we know up to 50 per cent of people might be asymptomatic.

By doing this – we will save lives and limit the spread.

Global News – Canada’s nursing homes worry coronavirus will mean residents ‘dying alone’

https://globalnews.ca/news/6775358/nursing-homes-coronavirus-outbreak/


By Olivia Bowden
Widespread testing required to prevent outbreaks: “Long-term care homes are like tinderboxes for COVID-19 outbreaks, as they are similar to cruise ships in terms of residents being older and in close  quarters,” said Dr. Samir Sinha. 

Thank You: ‘Acts of Kindness’

DailyHive – Toronto hotel lights lights up in the shape of a heart for healthcare heroes 

https://dailyhive.com/toronto/toronto-hotel-lights-up-healthcare-heroes

by Rumeek Johal
Dr. Samir Sinha took to Twitter to thank Toronto and it’s citizens for the acts of love that are keeping health care workers going in this tough time.

CBC News – How to help seniors get through COVID-19 pandemic  

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/whitecoat/the-dose-how-we-can-help-seniors-get-through-covid-19-1.5519909

by Nicole Ireland 

Do These 4 Things for Your Parents During Coronavirus Outbreak

https://www.theledger.com/ZZ/business/20200331/do-these-4-things-for-your-parents-during-coronavirus-outbreak

By Courtney Jespersen

Do you have questions about COVID-19? Wondering when you should seek medical assistance?

The Government of Canada has outlined all the information on COVID-19 for the public here. Governments have also developed COVID-19 self-assessment tools to help you determine whether or not you should seek medical attention. See below: