Why Canada Needs A National Pandemic Day

Three years after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic, it seems that many would prefer to leave it in the past. Many are still frustrated about restrictions such as mask mandates, quarantine and vaccinations. On the other hand, many who suffered COVID, or lost loved ones to the coronavirus, have been left without proper mourning rituals. With the lifting of restrictions, the pandemic has almost disappeared from our minds. However, its vast impact on our society, especially our health care system and general well-being, will be felt for years, if not decades.

It is in this spirit that I have introduced Bill S-209 to designate March 11 — the day the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic — as Pandemic Observance Day. Witnesses before the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology were unanimous in highlighting the relevance of Pandemic Observance Day and how they would each honour it in their own way. The House of Commons voted at 2^nd reading to refer it to the Committee on Health on March 22.

I have proposed three objectives for this day of remembrance: to remember, to recover and to prepare.

Our first duty is to remember. Every March 11, we must honour those who left us too soon, under difficult circumstances, without having had time to say goodbye. In Canada, more than 50,000 people have died from COVID-19 — more than the number of Canadians who died in the Second World War. We must recognize the extraordinary sacrifices made by our guardian angels and essential workers, each in their respective fields. We must also remember the outpouring of solidarity from the public to help their fellow people.

We must support the bereaved families and remember that this pandemic has exacerbated the various forms of inequality in Canada. It has had a disproportionate impact on the vulnerable in society and on members of historically discriminated groups.

Our second duty is to continue recovering from COVID-19. Every March 11, let us reflect on the evolution of the pandemic, the steps taken to manage it and the lessons learned.

In Canada, we have been able to access tests, vaccines and a prevention drug for immunocompromised people. Telecommuting is still available, which helps slow the transmission of viruses. We have independent, trusted public health agencies and most people in Canada are well informed. We are on the right track.

Unfortunately, many countries do not have the resources to treat their populations. Last year, Oxfam reported that the number of deaths from COVID-19 was four times higher in less affluent countries than in more affluent countries. Scientists agree that we must continue our global efforts if we are to stop this pandemic.

Finally, our third duty is to be prepared. We need to plan and put in place measures based on lessons learned. Jurisdictions can plan for potential health emergencies. This will require political will. Every March 11 we must be able to assess our level of preparedness.

Every crisis offers opportunities for change. Consider the pandemic of 1918, known as the Spanish Flu. It killed 50 million people worldwide. This led the Canadian government of the day to take concrete steps to improve public health in Canada.

However, we are now facing new challenges with long COVID. Its consequences are not known because they cannot be fully measured, along with the impacts of the pandemic on the health care system, immigration, the environment and our socio-economic situation.

Today, it seems as if the pandemic is already forgotten, but we still have a long way to go to truly recover. Therefore, March 11 must become a day to commemorate the pandemic.

Pandemic Day in Canada will be an annual opportunity to remember, to celebrate and to prepare. And in the spirit of Paul Éluard’s Last Love Poems: in every dark time there is hope for a bright future.

By Senator Mégie

Senator Marie-Françoise Mégie was a family physician and university professor before her appointment to the Senate in 2016. She represents the division of Rougemont in Quebec.

TAN

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