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A chain-smoker develops pneumonia and nearly dies — and quits smoking.
An alcoholic is informed by his family they’re leaving — and sobers up.
It is well-recognized that a sudden, unexpected shock — frequently painful — can terminate a long and apparently unshakable pattern of self-destruction.
The pandemic has revealed much that was fragile and dangerous in the old “normal” most took for granted only a few short weeks ago. The silver lining, if there is one, is laying bare so much we need to do, and why prompt action is critical.
Let’s remember something important: the pre-pandemic economy failed us all in many ways. The coronavirus revealed, with terrible consequences, the inequities, weaknesses and willful ignorance that had been built into the market.
There is no doubt programs to help Canadians cope with the COVID-19 fallout are well-intentioned efforts, but as with everything, the devil is in the details.
As the death toll from the global pandemic continues to increase, one question not being asked is: How many lives will the coronavirus save? The answer will provide the context we need to help avert an even greater loss of life from the coming climate crisis.
If it’s not President Donald Trump’s incoherent press conferences, where recently he seemed to suggest injecting disinfectant might cure you of COVID-19, or his repeated claims the pandemic is under control while the body count mounts alarmingly, then it’s the far-right, some of them armed with assault rifles, storming the state capitols.
The province with the highest number of infections, highest number of deaths and the highest number of hospitals and long-term facilities experiencing outbreaks will also be the only province where students could be going back to school before September.
