Road to the light at the end of the tunnel – staying strong, together

We are entering a tricky phase in our collective fight against COVID-19. We have two vaccines in Canada that are highly effective, even after one dose, however the rollout of these vaccines has run into some difficulties. Our daily infection rate remains higher than our public health officials are comfortable with. We continue to lose people to this virus. And months into this pandemic we must still live with the restrictive measures designed to protect us all. The good news, however, is that we can now see the light at the end of this long, dark tunnel. We know that both our federal and provincial governments are working hard to overcome vaccine supply challenges, that a mammoth effort is underway to get shots to everyone who wants them by the Fall, and that the data around the timing of getting that second shot is reassuring.

I know we are bombarded with sometimes frightening news about the new variants of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) having already reached North America, about vaccines potentially losing their effectiveness, and about new crises erupting in countries where the pandemic previously seemed to be coming under control. But, it’s important to place the news we hear into context. A little more than a year ago, most people in this country had never heard of this virus. In twelve short months, we saw a global crisis unfold, travel come to a virtual halt, and previously unthinkable measures imposed in order to save lives. Scientists also embarked in a race-against-time to find treatments and develop a vaccine. We were told by some credible people in those early days, to gird ourselves for the possibility of millions of deaths and potentially years of severe restrictions before a vaccine could be found.

Ultimately, that worst-case scenario has not materialized (although in some regions of the world science was ignored for too long and they are seeing the consequences). Innumerable deaths across the world have been averted by extraordinary public health measures. Treatment for the most severe cases of COVID-19 have become more refined. Different types of new vaccines are being employed around the world and are highly effective to protect us against SARS-CoV-2, even when accounting for some of the prominent new variants. There are still additional types of vaccines in development, and in this country Health Canada is already reviewing other vaccines for approval. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines being used right now will shore up our defenses, especially in vulnerable long-term care, rural and remote, and Indigenous settings. This alone will have a major impact on the number of people with severe illness and will prevent deaths.  

I think we can still expect some harrowing days ahead. This has been a bumpy ride so far. Amidst all of this though we are not powerless. The great majority of us have kept up our end of the bargain and continue to adhere to the basic public health measures – physical distancing, washing our hands, limiting social gatherings, and curtailing non-essential travel –even with vaccinations being given, maintaining these measures will prevent the spread of infection. This in light of the toll it can take on our mental health. As Dr Bonnie Henry has said, “This is for now, not forever.” In those gloomy moments let’s remember – we are nowhere near the uncertain outlook we faced one year ago. Quite the contrary. The end is in sight. Given residents and workers in long term care homes were vaccinated first, we should see the rates of infection and death start to plummet in these facilities. And after that…similar results out in the community once we’ve achieved a broader level of protection. The end is closer than it was yesterday, and tomorrow it will be even closer still – that light is getting much brighter. 

- Dr Matthew Chow