Fight against COVID not over
In the United States, COVID-19 deaths recently surpassed one million. Though Canada’s death rate is only one-third that of the U.S., we should pause before getting selfcongratulatory
The measures that kept our infection rates down have been removed or downgraded. Because of this, we are set for our deadliest pandemic year yet.
There were just under 15,000 deaths in both 2020 and 2021, but there have been roughly 10,000 deaths in the first four months of 2022 alone. We must agree this is unacceptable.
The cornerstone of our pandemic response has been an engaged population willing to adhere to public health rules. But policy leaders now believe that people are tired and pandemic restrictions should be discontinued.
Yes, Canadians are tired of COVID, and tired of restrictions, but “tired” does not mean that they are ready to “let it rip,” abandon the vulnerable or roll the dice on their personal risk of contracting long COVID.
The withdrawal of so many public health measures means accepting 20,000 annual deaths, decreased public safety for the vulnerable or immunocompromised, and an incalculable number of people harmed by COVID-19.
A more balanced way forward would build on our effective public health measures to decrease all these risks and reduce the likelihood of future lockdowns. People in Canada know they have to balance their civil liberties and human rights with their responsibility to protect others. We realize keeping our guards up now could protect our future.
We can decrease infection rates by: knowing when we are infected and isolating; practicing appropriate masking; maximizing our vaccination protection; making schools safe; and taking action on the social determinants of health.
Too many people cannot get access to testing. We need free, easy and timely access to rapid and PCR testing. It is also time to rebuild our contact tracing systems and the rest of our hard-hit public health system. Making sure we have sufficient infrastructure is a strategic priority — this will not be the last pandemic.
Mandating masks in enclosed public places such as public transport, hospitals, large events, shops and in class will decrease infections and increase the safety of vulnerable people.
Vaccination is one of our best weapons. But our current definition of being fully vaccinated is having two doses. We know this is not the most effective protection. Only 55 per cent of adults have the three doses needed for good protection, and only six per cent have the four doses for optimal protection. Changing the definition of fully vaccinated to three doses immediately and then to four doses in the fall will increase the protection vaccination gives us as a society.
Vaccination also remains unequal. There may be up to a 20 per cent variation between population groups, but we need more accurate information. Collecting sociodemographic data on vaccination rates and focusing resources on under-vaccinated groups is imperative.
To ensure that schools are safe for all children, we have a list of required vaccinations. COVID-19 vaccines should be added to the list. They are safe and no longer “novel.” Schools should also have the authority and obligation to mandate masks where needed to protect a vulnerable child — or to help keep the doors open when too many staff get sick.
When the City of Toronto asked communities what they needed to ensure its pandemic strategy was equitable, they asked for better worker protections, paid sick days, decreased crowding on buses, access to free places to isolate, child care and mental health supports. Action on these issues must be part of any public health strategy.
We all wish we were done with COVID-19, but our high death rates prove it is not done with us. “Living with the virus” has always been our goal — but these steps are what is needed to live, with it rather than be “free” to die from it. We need our leaders to listen to their constituents and make the needed investments. Let’s ensure we take reasonable measures so we can get back in control of the pandemic, and make sure this is not our deadliest year yet.