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A colleague recommended reading this House of Common's transcript on C19 from mid May 2020. The first three presenters are particularly telling as to the current debacle and our failing to listen to the right voices. 1/ https://www.ourcommons.ca/DocumentViewer/en/43-1/HESA/meeting-22/evidence
The first two (Drs. Attaran and Fisman) were inexperienced academics arguing for aggressive policy action. All of these policies failed and ripped apart the social and economic fabric of Canada. Large segments of the population are now terrorized and fearful. 2/
Their arguments were unstructured and lacked academic discipline. Emotion was a substitute for sound analysis and neither had a clear understanding of how societies work. It's also hard to ignore the stench of politics. A dangerous approach to public health. 3/
The third presenter was Dr. Schabas (a retired physician and former chief medical officer). It is a remarkably and thoughtful read, where one can feel depth of thought and a clear sense public health and humanity. 4/
I'll paraphrase a few of his comments. The one that struck home (which of course was ignored) was ensuring that the C19 response didn't turn from tragedy to crisis. He knew early on that Canada faced both. 5/
The tragedy was a respiratory virus that causes death in the very old and frail. The crisis was our attempts control a virus. Left uncheck, an unfocused response would induce lasting damage on Canadian society and compromise faith in public health for decades. 6/
Dr. Schabas was right, as we now see the debacle unfold before us. Unfortunately, unlike those attracted to the media spot light, Dr. Schabas seems to perfer quiet reflection. His wise words were lost in a world addicted to sensationalism, hype and panic. 7/
Canada was poorly served by undisciplined and inexperienced academics like Dr. Attaran and Fisman. The costs exceed a trillion dollars and the mental health of many millions has been shattered. A public sign of contrition would be appropriate. 8/
This document also reveals the side of public health we need to reinvigorate and promote. There are many like Dr. Schabas and it's these individuals that society needs to tap to rebuild trusted in public health. Its time for their voices to be heard. End.
