Last Thursday, Americans celebrated US Thanksgiving… but when it comes to COVID, it’s British Columbians and Canadians who have a lot more to celebrate than our American neighbors.
Give thanks, Canada.
The United States was far ahead of Canada in acquiring/distributing face masks, developing and distributing vaccines … making the comparison of Covid’s impact and results even more startling.
Look at the numbers:
Canada has a population of 38.2 million; the United States, 333.7 million … 8.7 times that of ours.
But … despite all their advantages in the fight against COVID… the US has counted 48.1 million Covid cases; Canada 1.7 million.
Their Covid infection number: 28 times ours!
Clearly, our governments, health authorities and co-operating public did better and acted faster to contain the virus.
Because in Canada …and BC … Covid became a health issue, not a political one.
The result: in the US, the dead bodies from Covid have also piled up at an almost inexcusable level.
The US now has a total COVID death count of 777,000; Canada 29,671 … only 3.8% of the American total.
Give thanks, Canada.
And then, there’s Florida… where I winter and where politics play a key role in public health policies.
There are no state laws or public health regulations requiring anyone to wear masks or show vaccination proof when entering restaurants, bars or retail stores.
In fact, Florida’s Republican-dominated House and Senate passed four legislative bills just last week, aimed at blocking President Joe Biden’s mask/vaccine mandate agenda.
You can read the details here: https://floridapolitics.com/archives/474484-gov-desantis-signs-vaccine-mandate-ban-freedom-policies-in-covid-19-package/ .
De Santis called it part of his “Freedom” agenda. I’d call it “Putting profits ahead of public health and safety” agenda!
Yet, there has been some good news: millions of Floridians have gotten vaccinated … and the state’s Covid infection rate has lately plummeted substantially.
But Florida’s overall Covid infection numbers … and death toll … have been horrendous.
Florida has a population of 21.6 million, approximately four times BC‘s 5.2 million.
But the US state has recorded an almost incredible 3.68 million Covid cases; compared to 217,000 in BC.
Four times the population: 17 times the Covid cases!
Sadly, Florida has also suffered 61,147 Covid deaths… almost 30 times BC‘s 2,322!
Dr. Bonnie Henry’s Covid mitigation and prevention plan has clearly done better than the Florida Governor’s!!
Give thanks, BC.
Most British Columbians would consider Florida’s Covid loss of life outrageous, even criminal … but not so in Florida.
In a recent poll, Governor Ron DeSantis, who is seeking re-election in 2022 and is even toying with running for the Republican nomination for President, scored 51% popularity… six points ahead of his closest Democrat opponent.
We have no doubt enjoyed lots of opportunities to criticize the actions … and sometimes inactions … of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his government or Premier John Horgan and his government (and every other provincial government) over the handling of Covid.
But the numbers don’t lie.
Last week, the Americans gave thanks … clearly something Canadians should do … all year ’round.
Harv Oberfeld
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