As a palliative care doctor, a big part of what I do is work with people, caregivers & colleagues to hold space for grief & loss.

Over 14,000 Canadians have died from #COVID19.

Today, I hold space for them.

Here are 10 identities I’m thinking of.

A thread...

Leonard Rodriquez, Toronto, ON. A frontline PSW who died because of a lack of PPE. Despite this, he served as an Essential Worker until he succumbed to the virus. Experiences of racism in healthcare led him to avoid seeking care until it was too late. /1
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/personal-support-workers-dies-covid-19-toronto-1.5560686

Shah-Sultan & Hassanali Remtulla, Burnaby, BC. A beloved couple often called 'lovebirds' by family & friends, were married 66 years. Although they were in separate locations at end-of-life due to the pandemic, they died one hour apart from each other. /2
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/remtulla-couple-covid-deaths-beloved-grandparents-dec-6-vancouver-toronto-1.5834385

From the 1st death of a person experiencing homelessness in Toronto, ON to the many others who have died since. >35,000 people experience homelessness each night amidst a crisis with many more now living on the streets & in encampments than ever before. /3
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/toronto/article-toronto-sees-its-first-homeless-death-from-covid-19/

Amidst the pandemic there's been another public health crisis: the overdose death crisis. Thousands have died due to consequences from #COVID19, a tainted drug supply & a lack of harm reduction services. 2020 is on track to be one of the deadliest ever. /4
https://www.vice.com/en/article/wxqmjn/overdose-deaths-continue-to-soar-across-canada

Our frail seniors have been hardest hit, with most deaths occurring in long-term care facilities in Ontario & Quebec. From staffing to infection control protocols, this pandemic has highlighted how we must improve care for our seniors urgently. /5
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nursing-home-covid-19-deaths-1.5641266

Martin Haalstra, Belmont, ON. Father of 3, husband & an engineer, who went from diagnosis to death in just over a week. After his passing, his wife Lisa posted on Facebook begging people to not underestimate a disease that killed her healthy husband. /6
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/wife-who-lost-44-year-old-husband-says-covid-is-real-and-it-can-happen-to-you-1.5825087

Desmond Jarvis Brandon, Edmonton, AB. At 36, developed a cough & died 2 weeks later. He wanted people under 40 to stay safe, so he'd post online, urging friends to wear a mask. His friends hope his memory can be memorialized beyond the numbers. /7
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/desmond-jarvis-brandon-1.5817226

Ariis Knight, White Rock, BC. A woman with cerebral palsy, died alone at a local hospital. From food, to finances, to social supports & gaps in care, #COVID19 has put the six million Canadians living with a disability, at higher risk than ever before. /8
https://globalnews.ca/news/6866586/bc-woman-disability-dies-covid-19/

Weng James, Windsor, ON. A 27 year old loving brother & son, with a big heart & gentle spirit, died after 3 days in hospital. His basketball coach described him as a 'father-figure' to those close to him. He had no underlying health conditions. /9
https://windsor.ctvnews.ca/big-heart-and-gentle-spirit-weng-james-remembered-after-covid-19-death-1.5226265

Those living in prisons & jails, where poor conditions are common & survival is literally dependent on the state. We cannot allow basic human rights to be compromised, especially during a pandemic. As a society, it's our moral duty. /10
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/12/17/80-inmates-test-positive-in-sudden-outbreak-at-kingston-prison-up-from-zero-wednesday.html

From those we knew to those we didn't. From those who died to those who recovered. To every caregiver impacted.

We grieve. We hold space for each of them.

Who do you grieve for? If you can, share in the replies so we can grieve together.

Sending love

/END