Canadians must combat the spread of COVID-19 together
The U.S. is reporting frightening COVID-19 surges in the majority of its 50 states. No end is in sight.
Blame for this crisis has been attributed to a lack of government leadership under Donald Trump. An uneducated understanding of the disease and the absence of a coherent and collaborative plan is the popular explanation. That said, this dire situation could change following the Nov. 3 presidential election.
In Canada, by contrast, our response has been discernibly better but not optimal, and will become insufficient as our population grows tired of coping with the many necessary restrictions and economic hardships.
What to do? Imagine a scenario where the prime minister, the 10 premiers and their top health officials have exploited all communication networks (television, radio, internet) at an event and offered a national/provincial plan that spoke to bridging the gap between now and the availability of a vaccine. Further, and at the same event, imagine that all political leaders, irrespective of political affiliation, have committed to an articulated economic recovery.
Now, imagine how that would make you feel and the confidence it would instil in you in fending off despair and hopelessness.
The phrase, “We are in this together!” has many shades of meaning, but Canadians have the ability and power to demonstrate its ultimate definition.
Bill Hubbard, North Vancouver