More Ontario doctors speak out on damage done by COVID lockdowns
https://twitter.com/randyhillier/status/1312348864905654274
Doctors Speaking Truth to Power
Randy Hillier | October 3, 2020
Doctors heard my call for them to speak out, and many are responding passionately.
Twenty doctors sent a letter to Premier Ford explaining the harm his policies are causing for people, and demanding he reconsider the direction he is taking the province. Will Ford listen?
This is my message to those many brave doctors who are speaking truth to power, and those who will follow their lead.
You can read their letter here:
https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/doctors-urge-localized-approach-not-sweeping-lockdown-in-open-letter-to-doug-ford
My new petition to oppose another lockdown of Ontario can be found on my website: https://www.randyhilliermpp.com/petition_nolockdown (original)
Please sign and share my petition with your friends, family, and neighbours.
Doctors urge localized approach, not sweeping lockdown, in open letter to Doug Ford
Toronto Sun | October 1, 2020
I quote some of this article and letter below:
The following letter, signed by 20 doctors and professors of medicine from faculties at the University of Toronto, McMaster University, University of Ottawa and from hospitals such as Sick Kids, was sent to Premier Doug Ford on Sept. 27. The doctors argue against a wholesale return to a lockdown as a way to deal with rising COVID-19 cases.
. . .
Lockdowns have been shown not to eliminate the virus. While they slow the spread of the virus, this only lasts as long as the lockdown lasts. This creates a situation where there is no way to end the lockdown, and society cannot move forward in vitally important ways including in the health sector, the economy and other critically important instrumental goods including education, recreation, and healthy human social interactions.
In Ontario, the increase in cases at this time are in people under 60 years of age who are unlikely to become very ill. …
. . . Hard data now exist showing the significant negative health effects shutting down society has caused. Overdoses have risen 40% in some jurisdictions. Extensive morbidity has been experienced by those whose surgery has been cancelled, and the ramifications for cancer patients whose diagnostic testing was delayed has yet to be determined
. . . Global data clearly now show that children have an extremely low risk of serious illness, but they are disproportionately harmed by precautions. . . .
. . .call for increased open debate, in the public forum, that hears voices from outside the medical and public health communities, in order to consider all points of view . . .
All have the right to feel their voices have been heard, and moreover to ensure factual credible data is openly debated . . .
Our society has borne enormous pain over the past six months. It’s time to do something different.
Sincerely,
Jane Batt MD, PhD, FRCPC. Respirologist, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
James Bain MD, MSc, FRCSC. Plastic Surgeon, Professor of Surgery, McMaster University
Mahin Baqi MD, FRCPC. Infection Prevention and Control and Infectious Diseases Physician
Marcus Bernardini MD, FRCPC. Gynecologic Oncologist, Associate Professor, University of Toronto
SerRgio Borgia MD, MSc, FRCPC. Infection Prevention and Control and Infectious Diseases Physician, Assistant Clinical Professor, McMaster University
Peter Cox, MBChB, FRCPC, DCH(SA), FFARCS. Critical Care Physician, Professor, Department of Anaesthesia, University of Toronto
James D. Douketis, MD, FRCPC, FCAHS. Haematologist, Professor of Medicine, McMaster University
Philippe El-Helou, MD, FRCPC. Infectious Diseases Physician, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, McMaster University
Martha Fulford MD, FRCPC. Infectious Diseases Physician, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, McMaster University
Shariq Haider MD, FRCPC. Infectious Diseases Physician, Professor, Department of Medicine, McMaster University
Stephen Kravcik MD, FRCPC. General Internist, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa
Nicole Le Saux MD, FRCPC. Infectious Diseases Physician, Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa
Paul MacPherson PhD, MD, FRCPC. Infectious Diseases Physician, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa
Neil Rau MD, FRCPC. Infectious Diseases Physician and Medical Microbiologist, Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
Susan Richardson MD, FRCPC. Medical Microbiologist and Infectious Disease Physician, Professor Emerita, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto
Rob Sargeant MD, PhD, FRCPC. General Internist, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
Nick Vozoris MD, MHSc, FRCPC. Respirologist, Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto
Thomas Warren MD, FRCPC. Infectious Diseases Physician and Medical Microbiologist, Assistant Clinical Professor (Adjunct), Department of Medicine, McMaster University
Yvonne Yau, MD FRCPC. Medical Microbiologist, Assistant Professor, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto
George Yousef MD, PhD, FRCPC. Anatomic Pathologist, Professor, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto
Dr. Susan Richardson joined Anthony Furey on National Post Radio to explain why her and her colleagues believe Ontario shouldn’t go into a second lockdown and the best ways to tackle COVID-19:
Read the full letter here