Our sense of compassion has evolved
Thankfully, our country has evolved since AIDS.
For those of us in the LGBTQ community, the COVID -19 contagion has brought nightmares and flashbacks to the AIDS crisis in the early 1980s. At that time, there was nothing known about the virus, only that it was killing gay men. Initially, it was even believed to be an airborne virus. We watched people we loved dying horrible, excruciating deaths. The diagnosis itself was an immediate death sentence.
When we were dying from what was called “the gay cancer,” there was no research, no funding to find a cure, and no political will to help. It wasn’t until the virus crossed over to the heterosexual population through a tainted blood supply that AIDS was suddenly declared an “epidemic.” Unfortunately, by that time the contagion rate had risen astronomically because of the delayed response. Even today, gay men are questioned about their sexuality before being allowed to give blood, and can only donate it if it has been more than three months since their last sexual contact with a man.
Our country and our compassion have evolved since that dark time. My hope is that no one ever has to feel so alone and fearful during this current crisis, and that far fewer lives will be lost this time around. We are all in this together.
Rob MacDonald, Ottawa
Don’t be ageist about COVID-19 pandemic
I hope Canadians do not follow the lead of Italians in age discrimination. There are many doctors, nurses and caregivers, over 80 years of age, donating their time and effort to save a population affected by a pandemic.
Suggesting that the younger population is more important than these heroes is self-serving greed. Strong leadership with integrity would certainly be a breath of fresh air.
Patrick Mason, Stittsville Government tech was not prepared for crisis
As a retired senior federal economist, my head almost imploded when I read about government employees — spanning the spectrum of the bureaucracy — sitting at home unable to telework, yet being paid. Why? Because of the failure of the government of Canada to create a technological infrastructure that would respond instantly to a crisis, whether in wartime, natural disaster or a pandemic.
My wife works at DND’s
Carling campus and since Monday has not been able to log in to the network since she is “non-essential.” This is 2020. Why have senior mandarins, with their self-perceived robust knowledge and wisdom, not created in the intervening years since 9/11 and the 2008 financial crash business continuity plans whose foundation is a solid and adaptable technology system?
That’s the question for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
James Taggart, Kanata
Let’s not let isolation pull us apart socially
I heard a new term recently. Instead of saying “social isolation,” say “physical isolation.”
We need to stay some feet away from people when we are outside. We all need to stay socially connected through the phone, emails, Facebook, texts and so on. This would help alleviate depression and feelings of being alone. We are all in a community. Stay safe.
Alice Smeathers, Ottawa
Hodgepodge testing isn’t right approach
Re: COVID-19: System showing strain as requests for testing, assessment increasing, March 18.
Well, Ottawa has solved its problem: Just don’t test for the virus and it will not exist.
I agree front-line workers should be the first to be tested but I also think it is very important for the public to know if the virus is spreading in the general public.
Susan Cathcart, Ottawa
Barrhaven Costco handles crisis well
My husband and I went to the Barrhaven Costco on Wednesday. The entrance was confined to one line, carts were being disinfected, the number of customers entering and exiting were being counted, the cashes were being designated and all of this was being carried out with constant reminders to maintain a safe social distance. The atmosphere was calm and all staff were extremely pleasant. Kudos to all.
Sue Holland, Kanata
Uplifting story, just when we needed it
Re: Free online concerts: NAC unveils $100,000 relief initiative for performing artists, March 19.
Amid all the articles in the Citizen regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jim Cuddy story was a welcome read. While I realize we need to be kept informed of what is happening to manage this health crisis, there is also a need to be kept informed of those more uplifting occurrences.
F. Dale Boire, Ottawa
Lives matter much more than dollars
Re: What’s more damaging? COVID-19 or the panic over it? March 18.
It’s so tiring reading articles that do the opposite of inform. The data out of China and now Italy have clearly shown that the fatality rate from the novel coronavirus is high enough to kill millions of people if it were allowed to run rampant around the world. What kind of argument is it to accept millions of deaths to save billions of dollars?
Hopefully this crisis will help people understand that real material things matter and money doesn’t. When novel coronavirus kills people, like the Chinese doctor who was one of the first to warn people about the virus, they are gone forever. When coronavirus causes economic disruptions that deplete bank accounts and send stock markets plunging, the government can re-inflate these numbers — they are merely figures in a spreadsheet, and the government has an infinite supply of them.
Desmond Fisher, Ottawa
Someone has a bad case of sun stroke
I think Randall Denley stayed out in the sun too long.
Joyce Bova, Nepean
Disease won’t end, so let’s act wisely
Randall Denley’s article contrasts the reaction to COVID-19 between Florida and Ottawa.
I had a similar experience. After two weeks in Mexico, I returned home on March 15 as scheduled. I left a “business as usual” environment in Puerto Vallarta and returned to an Ottawa where restaurants and bars had just been closed. Until I left Mexico, I had been out and about doing my usual touristy things, and now, although healthy, I’m in self isolation for 14 days. But I’m grateful to be home.
According to everything I’ve read, we are yet to see the worst of COVID-19. Our governments and media are feeding us sufficient information to cause heightened concern and awareness of the hardships this virus will cause. There will be people who suffer, either directly from symptoms of the disease or through financial hardship, not being able to work and get paid; or both. Then there’s the impact on business owners, the stock markets, the economy.
We have, in large part, shut down, but not everyone can work from home, not all employers can provide leave with pay, and there’s still the need for essential services. I hope our governments focus their attention and money on those who are most deserving. Canadians are doing their part to help “flatten the curve” and spread instances of the disease over a longer period.
Being isolated two weeks, off work or avoiding human contact for some unspecified period of time is not going to stop the disease.
It will, though, give our governments more time to address immediate needs. Let’s hope they use the time wisely.
Lorne Hess, Ottawa
Column undermines sound public policy
I think newspapers such as the Ottawa Citizen play a vital role in providing accurate information and sharing views of informed columnists who can help to provoke discussion.
However, I am extremely disappointed at the decision to publish Randall Denley’s opinion piece. The tone of the column helps to reinforce already widely held misconceptions about the public-health strategy being used across the world to combat the pandemic. At a time of unprecedented national crisis, I consider it irresponsible to publish a piece such as this. It undermines the decisions that every leader at all levels of government in the country has taken to address the pandemic.
It is certainly appropriate to hold governments to account. However, this should be done by informed columnists with an understanding of public health, not by political ideologues. I would argue that at a time like this, editors more than ever have a responsibility to ensure that material in your paper does not confuse readers and undermine the local and national response to the pandemic.
Stephen Sandiford, Ottawa
Florida beach bums a ticking virus bomb
I just saw coverage of the March 19 spring break celebration in Florida. The beach was crammed and the unconcerned youth were just living it up.
A virus bomb is ready to explode when the undetected, infected ones return home, wherever it is.
Dr. L. Edward Montbriand, Ottawa
Memories of deadly 1950s polio outbreak
The coronavirus virus brings to mind, for those old enough to remember, the polio outbreak of the early 1950s, which left an untold number of Canadians dead and others sick for life, with many confined to “iron lungs.” We should all hope and pray this current virus does not emulate that dreadful disease, which devastated so many families and communities back then.
Emile Therien, Ottawa
This is how we’re coping in Kanata
We are all healthy, and working at home for the upcoming three weeks. I get up each day and change as if I were heading to work. I also made a schedule, which includes both work and projects in the house that need my attention.
I walk twice a day, and do creative activities. I also socialize via messenger. My days are busy and I feel a sense of achievement.
Rita Martinez, Kanata
Three questions for health experts
There’s a lot of talk from our Canadian experts, who seem to give us minimal information. I have just three questions:
When will we have enough test kits?
Where do I get the masks they are suggesting we use for certain circumstances?
Where do we get the hand sanitizer they keep saying to use?
Miv Fournier Sr., Nepean
When we were dying from what was called ‘the gay cancer,’ there was no research, no funding to find a cure, and no political will to help. It wasn’t until the virus crossed over to the heterosexual population that AIDS was suddenly declared an ‘epidemic.’ Rob MacDonald