CCBI Resources for Covid-19 – December 18, 2020 | Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute – Affiliated with the University of St. Michael's College in the University of Toronto

Dear Friends of CCBI,

This week the Bishops of Scotland issued a pastoral letter called ‘Light Shines in Darkness,’ a badly needed reminder to us not only of the darkness of Advent, relieved by Advent candles expressing hope for the coming of Jesus into our world after this time of spiritual penitence and prayer, but also a reminder of the importance of hope for the diminishment of the pandemic, with the arrival of vaccines to help counter it. As we have said over the last few weeks, Catholics and others who have been praying and hoping for ethical vaccines have had those prayers heard, since the first vaccines available are those which we can use in good conscience.

We have reason to rejoice, and the recent celebration of Gaudete Sunday reminds us there is always hope among the ashes of desperate, real-life situations. Incidentally, my sister and I have always felt the impact of our high school motto: Rejoice always! (Notre Dame High School, Dumbarton).
The article from The Globe and Mail tells us that one of the first Canadian recipients of the vaccine, Gloria Lallouz, 78, “…received her dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at a nursing home on the west side of Montreal. ‘I feel happy, I feel good,’ Ms Lallouz told reporters gathered outside her nursing home after her shot. ‘I’ve been stuck in my room for eight months. Eight months, without leaving my room. I hope everyone gets the vaccine. It’s important to live again.'” Eight months! Most of us can at least walk or drive around, have driveway/backyard visits, and so on. While there are questions about the numbers of dose available and how vaccines will be distributed, I welcome the government’s decision that long term care residents be vaccinated first. It’s encouraging to think they may feel more secure about their general wellbeing, especially if the promised improvements in their residences are made. As a society we need to take their situation, in fact, their lives, much more seriously. Ms Lallouz exclaimed: “It’s important to live again!” They deserve to live, just like everyone else.

Many people are reluctant to be among the first to be vaccinated but would prefer to wait to see how effective the vaccines are, or to see if they cause any problematic side effects. Public health has posted health reasons why some people should be careful, especially if they have allergies, and reminding us there are always some people who will experience side effects. An article below may be useful for lay people in terms of its advice, and a video by Dr Teresa Tam helps to set a trajectory of what we might expect re COVID-19 in the coming year. As far as ethical vaccines are concerned, please see the interview I had on that topic with AmericaMedia ( the Jesuit media organization).

Meanwhile the numbers of Canadians succumbing to COVID-19 are still soaring, and, as predicted by many, the second wave is shaping up to be more like a tsunami, with hospitals on alert and clearing beds in preparation for a possible surge of patients. What some have called ‘draconian’ measures are in place once more in many places. We did not learn our lesson well from the first major lockdown efforts. Perhaps we became complacent, or perhaps resentful of restrictions. While understandable, these are unreasonable reactions given the constant public health warnings that unprotected or inadequately protected gatherings would further spread the virus. It’s imperative to remember that the virus needs people who are in close contact in order to spread. We can help counter virus-spread by curtailing or postponing events now, for a relatively short term. A few weeks ago I remarked that adapting to a pandemic is like ‘long term pain for long term gain,’ and unfortunately, this continues to be true. So, Christmas will be different, but I know my family has had a relatively easy experience compared with people like Ms Lallouz. Eight months without leaving her room!

Then again, some people do not even have rooms, for example, look at the plight of the homeless, especially in winter in Canada. Bambi often reminds me of the work of Dr. Stephen Hwang, director of the MAP centre for urban health solutions at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, who is leading a research team on the ‘Covenant Study.’ Dr Hwang explains: “People experiencing homelessness are at greatly increased risk of getting COVID-19. However, we don’t know what proportion of the homeless population has been exposed to COVID over the last year.” The research aims to establish that number and to help people without shelter to be high on the list of those at risk who should be a priority for vaccination. According to the article, the study aims “… to inform better public health measures, which could include repeated screening of the homeless population as opposed to one-time screening, creation of smaller shelter facilities, and housing high-risk individuals in hotels.” Dr Naheed Dosani, also from St Michael’s, works to bring palliative care to the unhoused, and both he and Dr Hwang are passionate advocates for social change in this and other sectors. St Mike’s ‘Urban angels,’ indeed.

Finally, as mentioned in the first paragraph, the Bishops of Scotland, among many beautiful passages in their letter, ask us: “Cannot the love and compassion we have shown amid so much suffering and death in recent months now become a way of life, rather than an exception? Cannot the Christian message of love of neighbour now become the vital principle of our culture?” They respond in quoting from Pope Francis: “In working for such a world, the Church recognizes she ‘has a public role over and above her charitable and educational activities. She works for the advancement of humanity and of universal fraternity (as) a Church that serves, that leaves home and goes forth from its places of worship, goes forth from its sacristies, in order to accompany life, to sustain hope, to be the sign of unity… to build bridges, to break down walls, to sow seeds of reconciliation.’ ” To accompany life, to sustain hope…inspiring and challenging words!
Since next Friday is Christmas Day, there will be no Bulletin, but Bambi and I want to thank you for all the encouragement and support you have given us over these months. I also thank those who have offered correctives – ethics is an interesting and debatable discipline!

We hope you enjoyed the lovely e-card designed with the wonderful technical prowess of Sheila Eaton, USMC’s Graphic Design Manager. Thank you Sheila!

We wish all you every blessing during these last days of Advent and a Happy Christmas, and we pray for a better year in 2021!
Our Lady, Health of the Sick, pray for us!

For a life of prayer, we pray to the Lord! (Pope Francis’ intentions for December)
Moira and Bambi

The Globe and Mail

Canada administers its first COVID-19 vaccine shots – The Globe and Mail https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-canada-administers-its-first-covid-19-vaccine-shots/

Quebec received 4,875 doses this week, and Ontario got 6,000. Each Quebec site planned 150 injections on Monday and to ramp up to 500 a day, while Ontario started with five vaccinations in Toronto.
www.theglobeandmail.com

CBC

Toronto researchers to study COVID-19 among people experiencing homelessness | CBC News https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/researchers-covid-19-homelessness-people-problem-toronto-federal-task-force-1.5835321
Dr. Stephen Hwang, director of the MAP centre for urban health solutions at St. Michael’s Hospital, will lead a research team looking at COVID-19 among people experiencing homelessness in Toronto …
www.cbc.ca

2020: COVID-19 and Canada’s pandemic response

Looking back on a year of COVID-19 and Canada’s pandemic response
Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam discusses concerns about a possible post-holiday surge in COVID-19 cases, and reflects on Canada’s response to the virus and what could have been done differently.

Interview with Dr Moira McQueen: Explaining why Catholics should get the COVID-19 vaccine

Why all Catholics should get a Covid-19 vaccine | Behind the Story
As the Covid-19 vaccine becomes available in the United States and other countries, some Catholics have challenged the moral legitimacy of these vaccines.

Vatican News – Bishops of Scotland

Scottish Bishops list reasons for hope in this difficult time – Vatican News
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2020-12/scottish-bishops-pastoral-letter-light-shines-darkness-advent.html

The Catholic Bishops of Scotland issue a pastoral letter in which they offer encouragement to the faithful in this difficult time reaffirming their belief that there is hope after darkness.
www.vaticannews.va<http://www.vaticannews.va>