Be careful while easing lockdown

Dear Editor,

There has been plenty of news on how each country is addressing potential solutions to easing lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. One thing for certain is that we want to keep the R number at less than 1.0 or the reproduction factor to not increase or we will re-introduce another wave of this invisible virus.

The previous writer in your latest issue is not really having a bad dream and he just feels that way during this pandemic. We need to take a collective view on what sectors of the economy really need to get going again and provide a reassurance to the public that it will not endanger public safety.

Another major sticking point is that we must redefine the marketing and change what we want to re- invent the wheel in a very prudent way in our previous inadequate response to all parties relating to long-term care in either the private or public ownership. The number of people who lost their lives in these communities is truly sad and tragic. We cannot allow to repeat this lesson after years of austerity that created more problems than they solved.

The long-term care model for keeping a seamless environment to protect the staff, volunteers, and above all, the residents, needs to be totally binned and started from scratch and this means a name change as well. And I don’t mean following the necessary expertise south of our Canadian border.

My take on this virus is what real lessons can be learned during this lockdown and we will feel apprehensive forever more. We need to protect the back line workers like care giv‎ers, resident care assistants who are the invisible volunteers not mentioned in print at the time being for their ceaseless dedication in supporting vulnerable people.

Certain politicians and leaders of the planet earth should stop blaming others for the chaotic mess that can be only be defined as slow to act during this pandemic.

They simply cannot comprehend the reality of COVID-19 and create fake news to which we must deplore and eliminate to protect the integrity of the written word.

On a final note, I would like to bring a new appreciation to the leader of the Province of Ontario and the Prime Minister for orchestrating calm during this prolonged period of uncertainty.

Stewart Cameron