CCBI Resources: COVID statistics, resurgence, projections, Migrant concerns, healthcare delivery changes

Dear Friends of CCBI,

It has been interesting to monitor the COVID-19 statistics over the last few weeks, when more cities and towns have been experiencing some lifting of current restrictions. At the same time, we see rising numbers of cases in many different provinces, while school boards press on with planning for return to school in a few weeks. Some boards are clear that their plans are not yet ready, and some have already decided on a later starting date. There has been a demand for a ‘cap’ on numbers per classroom, and that indicates a common-sense approach to required social distancing, already being ignored by many adults, especially young men, 25-39. How can we expect students in our schools to observe rules that so many are breaking?!

The head of the Public Health Agency of Canada, Dr Teresa Tam is treading carefully: “… as restrictions are lifted, she expects a resurgence in cases until treatments or vaccines become available, but that the goal will be to keep rates low and manageable. She stressed that while some restrictions are loosened, others need to be tightened to prevent increases in infections. The rapid detection and isolation of cases, and adherence to physical distancing and protective measures among the public are the most important factors in limiting the spread…Lifting restrictive public-health measures like school and business closures without strengthening these other controls will likely cause the epidemic to rebound.” Words of warning!

Migrant farm workers are calling for changes in the Temporary Farm Workers regulations, citing ongoing problems in their relations with some employers, and describing the regulations as favouring employers and disadvantaging the workers. Without stronger protection, they are afraid to speak out and assert their rights since loss of employment sometimes follows. This is another area where more transparency and stronger enforcement of regulations are sorely needed.

Dr Samir Sinha has been speaking out on behalf of the elderly during his whole career as a geriatrician, and has been especially active during the pandemic in drawing attention to their needs and the future of long-term care. In his article below, he is candid: “In 2016, older Canadians began to outnumber younger Canadians for the first time in our history, yet our country has nine times as many pediatricians as geriatricians; in a country of 84,000 doctors, I’m one of only 304 geriatricians. Canada is not prepared to meet the needs of an aging population, and this is clear when we look at the physical set-up of our long-term care homes…” (Emphasis added)

In the same magazine, Dr Kevin Smith, CEO of University Health Network, looks to the future and points to ways that could radically change delivery of health care to our homes, leaving hospital resources more available to those who are more urgently in need of them. Dr Smith writes: “In a post-COVID era, we’ve realized that the next steps in the health care sector are to increase our reliance on digital technologies, and bring care out of the hospital and into the home.”

Our Lady, Health of the Sick, pray for us!

Pray for those who work and live from the sea, among them sailors, fishermen and their families! (Pope Francis’ global prayer intention for August)

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

The Globe and Mail

COVID-19  –  modelling projections

The Globe and Mail

Migrant Farm Workers – safety from reprisals for speaking out

Toronto Life Prepared for meeting needs of aging population

In 2016, older Canadians began to outnumber younger Canadians for the first time in our history, yet our country has nine times as many pediatricians as geriatricians; in a country of 84,000 doctors, I’m one of only 304 geriatricians. Canada is not prepared to meet the needs of an aging population, and this is clear when we look at the physical set-up of our long-term care homes