In North America, we have entered a critical stage in the battles against COVID-19 which some are referring to as the “second wave”. We have only to see what is happening as part of the second wave in Europe. With an average of more than 100,000 new infections per day over the past week, Europe now accounts for about one-third of new cases reported worldwide. Countries such as Britain, France, Spain, Germany, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, and even Russia have had to reintroduce restrictions on travel among regions and various forms of lockdowns and curfews. European leaders are now confronting an evident surge in coronavirus cases that is rapidly filling hospital beds.
In U.S. federal elections, the surging rise in coronavirus cases across the country, especially in the Midwest, has taken front and center stage in the campaigns. The public health crisis could reach new levels of urgency by Inauguration Day. Recent projections show that, if current trends hold, as many as 400,000 Americans may have died from Covid-19 by then. Unfortunately, President Trump and his allies continue to downplay the virus, arguing that the country is “turning the corner”. Trump and Vice-Presdent Pence are holding campaign events with thousands of supporters in attendance, even as cases are increasing rapidly. In Canada, coronavirus cases have risen in the last month to surpass levels above those seen at the height of COVID-19 last spring. Provincial governments across the country are reintroducing numerous restrictions on travel between regions and varying degrees of lockdowns. The Prime Minister has declared that the border with the U.S. will remain closed to non-essential travelers as long as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to increase in Canada and the U.S.
With governments’ restrictions on businesses and gatherings in the U.S., Canada and in Europe, there are complaints by some as to their impact on the economy and employment. However, unless people once again take the situation seriously and are no longer complacent after the past summer of fewer restrictions, countries will find it harder to effectively confront the surge in coronavirus cases that is rapidly filling hospital beds and subsequently driving up death tolls. Health care systems and workers are being stretched to their limits now, although the seasonal flu season has not yet begun in earnest. More schools will be required to close and more people will be forced to withdraw from their work to provide child care and home schooling.
Various precautions have to be taken such as: limiting our social activities to our immediate households, wearing masks in public, physically distancing wherever possible, washing our hands frequently, getting the seasonal flu vaccine, traveling only for essential purposes and avoiding contact outside the household with persons having underlying health conditions except when providing an essential service. Folks: to undertake this sacrifice is not asking too much under the circumstances and will benefit the community at large. Unless each of us takes such measures, the second wave of this pandemic will only get worse. As our leaders and public health officials often reiterate, we are all in this together, whether you like it or not!
FROLITICKS 