CCBI Resources for COVID-19 Matters – September 18th, 2020
Dear Friends of CCBI, Welcome back to CCBI's COVID19 Bulletin! We had a short break…
CCBI Resources for COVID-19 Matters – October 2, 2020
Dear Friends of CCBI,
Many questions have been raised this week about the federal and provincial governments’ role in the ongoing management of COVID-19. Major concerns are lack of information about where figures are rising, and how this second stage should be best handled. One writer states these points this way:
“Those who work for public-health units, perform contact tracing duties and/or sit at important tables in government ostensibly have some idea of how and where COVID-19 is spreading in cities and provinces. There is no justification for withholding this information from the public, especially when citizens are constantly being urged to change their behaviours in non-specific ways. Months’ worth of data should enable us to avoid the kind of global shutdown we saw in March and instead pursue measures targeting activities that have proved particularly conducive to the spread of COVID-19. The public’s licence for the action comes through disclosure.
Indeed, people should see for themselves the data on how and where COVID-19 is spreading in their communities. They can only make better choices if and when they are given the information to do so.” These are areas of vital importance for all of us, and government must be held to account if this information is withheld or is being poorly organized.
It was National Seniors Day on Thursday, October 1, (which I nearly missed but for Patrick Slaney!) and then I found an article from the Diocese of Parramatta, Australia, beautifully written and promoting the safety of seniors everywhere.
Speaking of safety, the National Institute on Ageing based at Ryerson University issued a National Seniors Strategy Report on National Seniors Day, its third report asking government to help combat social isolation. The Institute is a valuable resource for all of us interested in ensuring the well-being of our senior citizens.
Myths about vaccines? Yes, they exist and could threaten vulnerable people during the pandemic. CCBI is working with others asking for ethical vaccines, while the ‘myth’ aspect could prejudice uptake of any vaccine that will become available. Bede Hubbard, Consultant to the General Secretariat of the CCCB, sent us an article written by Fr Tad Pacholczyk of the US National Catholic Bioethics Center, which gives ‘real’ facts about vaccines and their importance for the common good.
October! :)
Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary, pray for us!
We pray that by the virtue of baptism, the laity, especially women, may participate more in areas of responsibility in the Church!
(Pope Francis’ Intentions for the month of October)
Best regards,
Moira and Bambi, CCBI
http://nationalseniorsstrategy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/NSS_2020_Third_Edition.pdf
http://nationalseniorsstrategy.ca/endorsements/
https://www.thebostonpilot.com/opinion/article.asp?ID=188520