CCBI Resources for Covid-19 – May 3, 2021
Dear Friends of CCBI, Along with new and emerging bioethical issues, many topics continue to…
CCBI Resources for Covid-19 – January 15, 2021
Dear Friends of CCBI,
Since this is our first Bulletin of 2021, we would like to start on a positive note, specifically the good news that vaccines are starting to arrive and are being administered to our most vulnerable populations: those in long-term care homes, those in more remote indigenous communities which lack adequate facilities to handleCOVID-19 and our front-line health care workers. Granted the administration of the vaccine seems to be slow, but there are logistical problems in the timing of delivery to Canada, as well as storage requirements which can complicate matters. Added to that is the question of second doses. I did say we would be positive, but here I am listing the problems, or at least the explanations of some of the problems! We are told that most Canadians should be vaccinated by September. That doesn’t sound wonderful in January, but at least it’s hopeful. An interview by The Globe witha nurse from BC explains that “For her, the vaccine means less fear of risking her own health – or of those in her household – and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. She points out: “Every vaccine should be celebrated, because I think we are so privileged to even get this opportunity so quickly…science is just amazing.”
We owe a lot to the researchers and scientists involved in these efforts, and from a Catholic perspective, to those who have developed synthetic nMRA vaccines containing no fetal or embryonic matte. It was encouraging to read that Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict received their (Pfizer) vaccines at the same time!
Some people in Canada are upset, however, that a few people seem to be receiving preferential treatment, and it’s interesting to see that natural, moral sense of ‘fair play’ emerging. People mostly agree with the list in our first paragraph, because they can see that it makes sense for the most vulnerable and for the most essential and exposed workers to be protected first. But when, for example, the CEO or senior administrators of a hospital try to pull rank, we object, protesting: not fair! For the sake of the common good, people should wait their turn.
Speaking of the common good, over the Christmas holidays an extensive and comprehensive article in The Globe appeared, called “We are not prepared: the flaws inside public health that hurt Canada.” In a previous Bulletin we alluded to the failure of Canada’s Public Health Agency to warn of the coming pandemic, and this article reiterates and further explains some of the reasons for the lack of warning and resulting lack of early preparation for the pandemic. The article found that “… the Global Public Health Intelligence Network, an early warning system known as GPHIN that was once considered a cornerstone of Canada’s preparedness strategy, had been scaled back over the past several years, with resources shifted into projects that didn’t involve outbreak surveillance.” It is necessary reading for government, public health officials and medical experts in the applicable fields, as well as for those of us who do have questions about the slow start to the Canadian response in closing airports, borders and so on. It details how scientific experts were gradually replaced in the upper levels of the agency by public servants who did not have the scientific qualifications to make proper decisions and plans. As well as providing a critique of government, previous and current, for permitting this development, the article points to the attitude of public service agencies that adopt a bureaucratic, management approach to public health over the research-based expertise expected and obtained by medical and statistical experts. The GPHIN was formed after SARS to provide early warning about future pandemics, but its newer regime effectively quelled its effectiveness. The article indicates that this less-than-scientific approach lost many lives to COVID-19 through the resulting lack of information and consequent lack of preparation for everything from providing PPE to seeing the need for new vaccines, forming public health measures, closing of borders, finding staff, planning contacting and tracing and more. Of course, 20/20 vision is perfect, but we should be able to rely on government agencies: we do not expect them to be so myopic. They exist for a reason, and the article helps to explain what was done, what was changed, and what needs to be reformed and remodelled to protect our country and others.
There have been so many promises about taking care of our seniors and vulnerable residents of long-term care homes that some recent revelations leave us wondering why it take so long for the promises to become reality? According to the article below: “The virus has torn through St. George Community Care, a 238-bed facility in Toronto, where 156 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 – more than any other long-term care home in the province during the second wave of the pandemic. Fourteen residents have died and another 54 remain sickened with the virus.” University Health Network was called in by the Ontario government to temporarily manage the facility, but health care experts say the province should have intervened much earlier. Amit Arya, a palliative-care physician at William Osler Health System specializing in long-term care says notification by homes to public health of a drop in numbers of staff “would signal that the home is struggling to care for residents.” It is disheartening for residents and their families to learn that Ontario hospitals are currently managing 18 long-term care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, but hospital teams are sometimes called in after the virus has spread and staffing has become depleted so that residents do not have even basic care. Dr Arya’s call for notification from the homes should be essential. If staff are ill or reluctant to work, help is needed instantly and it has been shown it can be provided. The article notes that “…all but three of the homes (that) hospitals are managing are owned by for-profit corporations.” There are clearly many socio-political problems needing to be resolved post-pandemic, but right now the political promise is to protect residents and staff of the homes, and all homes should be held to a higher standard of at least reporting problems immediately.
“Where there is no vision, the people perish!” (Prov. 29:18). Catholic teaching on solidarity and the common good helps to fill out this Biblical warning, and our Church has been active in promoting a post-pandemic vision where we will realize and implement our responsibility for caring for one another. We’ve included a more secular ‘vision’ of the future which looks to the re-instatement of a more balanced family and societal life, along with a reminder by Fr Ron Rolheiser that “There are few things as powerful as a poetic image. The nation with the best poets will ultimately triumph because poetry is more powerful than armies. An army can beat a nation into submission, but only a poetic image can change a people’s vision.” Reflections from the Gospel of John lead Rolheiser to this insight: “To be a disciple of Jesus is to have your ear attuned to his heartbeat as you gaze out into the world. For John, if you do this, you will always be at the right places, will always have the right perspective, and will always have the courage to do the right thing. You will also be driven by love.” A Christian vision that will inspire us?
May the Lord give us the grace to live in full fellowship with our brothers and sisters of other religions, praying for one another, open to all!
Let us pray to the Lord. (Pope Francis’ intention for the month of January)
Our Lady, Health of the Sick, pray for us!
Moira and Bambi
The Globe and Mail Front-line workers
Vatican News Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI receive the vaccine
| Pope Francis and the Pope emeritus receive Covid-19 vaccine – Vatican News By Vatican News. The vaccination campaign against Covid-19 in the Vatican which began on Wednesday continues with both Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI receiving their first doses of the vaccine. www.vaticannews.va |
The Globe and Mail Prioritizing vaccine rollouts
| Some non-front-line hospital staff get COVID-19 vaccines ahead of vulnerable populations, raising ethical concernsDr. Wajid Ahmed says health care systems need to be meticulous in how they prioritize coronavirus vaccine rollouts to save as many lives as possible and not allow jumping of the queuewww.theglobeandmail.com |
The Globe and Mail Analysis: inside public health
Conditions in LTC home
| Paramedics alarmed by conditions inside home with Ontario’s worst LTC outbreak – The Globe and MailCoronavirus has torn through St. George Community Care, where 156 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 – more than any other long-term care home in the province during the second wave of …www.theglobeandmail.com |
Fr Ron Rolheiser
| Mystical Images for Our Religious Quest | Ron Rolheiser There are few things as powerful as a poetic image. The nation with the best poets will ultimately triumph because poetry is more powerful than armies. ronrolheiser.com |