Now here’s a statement guaranteed to strike confidence in the hearts of Canadians everywhere. Regarding the spread of the coronavirus, Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says “We have been guided by science, we have been guided by the World Health Organization advisory and we’re continuing to work with our Five Eyes partners i.e. the U.S., the U.K., Australia and New Zealand. I would say our relationship and our interaction with the U.S. is going well — it’s almost daily at all levels of government — to make sure that we protect the safety of all Canadians.”
The part about being guided by science and the World Health Organization is good but then we get to the part about our interaction with the U.S. helping to make sure that the safety of all Canadians is being protected.
Do you feel better now? I know I do. Ha ha.
In actual fact I was less concerned about the corona virus before I read that statement.
I would be as confident as is possible under the leadership of the aforementioned specialists if not for the involvement of the Moron-in-Chief of the neighbour with which we share 8,891 kilometres of border. You know, the M-i-C who dismissed the virus as being a Democrat hoax.
The one whose comments include “I think that’s a problem that’s going to go away,” citing China as the source for this optimism.
“In fact, we’re very close to a vaccine” a statement strongly denied by health authorities. And, my personal favourite, “It’s not our fault”.
How old were you when you realized that whining “it’s not my fault” didn’t do one thing to change the realty of a situation? Ten maybe? That’s what we’re dealing with.
But all is not lost.
“My administration has taken the most aggressive acts in history to prevent the spread in the United States,” referring to banning foreign nationals recently in China from entering the U.S. “We must understand that border security is also health security. … The Democrat policy of open borders is a direct threat to the health and wellbeing of all Americans.”
What about the health and wellbeing of Canadians, oh deranged one? We might end up closing our border to the U.S.! It would serve you right and it wouldn’t be our fault. Na na na na na.
As of this writing there are 103 known cases in Canada and 1,000 confirmed cases in the U.S. That we know of. China’s numbers increased massively after they began new testing and we’ve all heard how prepared the home of the brave is for testing.
Try as I might I haven’t been able to find information on Canada’s test kits but I’ve heard nothing about them being in short supply. (I did learn that the Quebec government is designating three clinics across the province in preparation for the virus).
By the time you read this who knows what the numbers will be. England’s deputy chief medical officer has said the U.K. will see “many thousands of people” contract corona virus.
Can the U.S. be far behind, if not far ahead?
Events are being cancelled. Schools and businesses are being closed. The stuff of contagion movies is becoming reality and the most infamous reality star of them all doesn’t get the plot.
Newman likes to point out that he and I are in the vulnerable age group. He jokes about self-isolating. That’s a joke because he’ll jump at any excuse to stay home.
Nevertheless we’re still going to the Paddy’s Day dance Sunday afternoon at the Elks Club.
We’re not too concerned yet and Newman hates to miss a dance. Ha ha.
“Stay home if you’re sick. Even if you have the sniffles, a bit of a cold, your children are feeling a little bit under the weather — keep them home from school. Keep yourself home from work if you’re not feeling well.”
Janice Wells lives in St. John’s. She can be reached at [email protected]. (or [email protected].)
Editor’s note: This column was written before U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday evening the placement of strict restrictions on air travellers from Europe to the U.S. and before new measures were announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
