by: dr. jane philpott and dr. david walker
today marks the anniversary of the first diagnosed covid-19 case in ottawa – the same day the world health organization declared the virus a pandemic. this week, we share a range of viewpoints on the year that was, and on what lies ahead.
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most people know what the recovery room is: that safe space downstream from the operating room where our vital signs and welfare are carefully monitored as we recover consciousness. it is the first step in a post-surgical healing process that, depending on the circumstances, may take hours or a lifetime.
it might be said that society is now entering the recovery-room stage of experiencing a pandemic. many have not survived, leaving bereft families and friends. for everyone else, other losses and harms have been felt: the loss of a job, of a family business, a home, an education, and so many of the social interactions we need. many people have felt their mental and emotional well-being profoundly shaken. compounding these insults are ongoing anxiety and fear, exacerbated by constantly changing information and uncertainty.
as we enter the recovery room, of course, we look ahead while we attend to any immediate instability. we see pretty firm evidence that all of us in canada who wish it will be vaccinated by somewhere between canada day and labour day. assuming we can persuade the hesitant and disinterested to get their shots, the vulnerable will be protected, serious illness and deaths will have been significantly reduced and the need for major restrictions will have been removed or at least modified considerably.