The next pandemic or social ordeal: Are we ready?

The knee-jerk reaction to COVID-19 has been a total societal shut-down, resulting in unprecedented social disruption and economic turmoil. Although there is no question that the right action was taken given the circumstances, it is time for a post-mortem of this onesize-fits-all approach. As the American immunologist and public health official, Dr. Rick Bright, has stated “containment buys time … but it by no means resolves the issue."

Despite years of warnings from an endless number of specialists, government institutions worldwide claimed an indefensible surprise at the arrival of this pandemic. While humankind cannot live in fear of inevitable disasters, the capacity does exist to anticipate what might be required in order to survive with the least disruption.

The impact of a one-sizefits-all approach on health care is particularly troubling. Despite the assertion both by individuals and organizations throughout the world that “health care is a right; not simply a privilege”, accessible health care all but ceased.

The postponement of elective surgeries is not raised as an issue and, although continued emergency services was comforting, the message — intended or not — was “every effort will be made to protect you from dying of COVID 19; but, if you have another lifethreatening condition, it will be left to advance further, to your death.”

The approach to dental health has been just as disturbing, with emergency services limited to extraction (contrary to historical recommendations to “save the tooth”); antibiotics (despite scientific warnings that viruses develop resistance); and drugs for pain relief (in an era of prescription drug addiction).

An overriding concern with respect to dentistry is that COVID-19 transmits via droplets and virtually every dental treatment produces droplets that create a potential hazard to the hygienist, dentist, staff and other patients. Among the solutions is a move way from costeffective open-area offices to higher-cost closed spaces with appropriate, high-powered ventilation systems. There is no shortage of information available via the International Dental Hygienists Federation.

Medical/dental care has also emphasized a growing socio-economic disparity. In essence, it is not unreasonable to assume that someone in a position of power/influence or with the financial means would have access to health/ dental care despite it being on hold for the majority.

Decision-makers would be wise to use this hiatus in the pandemic to ensure that issues are addressed and analyzed. The intent is not to criticize. The focus must be on why there was no plan in place and on what could be done differently to achieve the same positive results without the negative socioeconomic impact of a onesize-fits-all approach.

The question is “who” should conduct this postmortem?

The announcement on May 25 of a Renew P.E.I.: Council for recovery and growth offered hope; however, its proposed composition falls short of what is required to ensure a fair, equitable and transparent result. “Select members” favours participants who are in sync with existing procedures. Existing decision-makers are not well positioned to self-critique their own decisions. And, group representation (or “herd mentality”) tends toward reaching agreements on an emotional basis, rather than on a rational, intuitive and reasoned one.

Linus Pauling, author of General Chemistry, stated (in part) “… the search for the truth … is not a game in which one tries to beat his opponent, to do harm to others … The way to get good ideas is to get lots of ideas, and throw the bad ones away.”

Although Pauling’s reference is to international affairs, the point is relevant. What the province needs is an independent, comprehensive review and analysis, combined with lots of ideas from as many sources as possible (both individual and group) in order to produce a comprehensive, workable result that is applicable to current times, expectations and a wide variety of needs.

The key question is: Will there be sufficient political and ethical will to allow flexibility of thought for the benefit of all?

Diana Lariviere, C.Arb. (ret) is a public service human resource specialist and P.E.I. marriage commissioner.