Where were you when the pandemic ended?

It may be a distinction without a difference. The pandemic is no longer a global health emergency but COVID-19 isn't gone. And it seems most of us weren't waiting on the announcement that passed by without any major fanfare.

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
I honestly don't know what I wasdoing two weeks ago today that I've missed.
In May five, twenty twenty three, the World Health Organization announced it's
time to transition to long term managementof the COVID nineteen pandemic. Now.
This was after the fifteenth meeting ofthe International Health Regulations Emergency Committee, where
they spelled out to reasons decreasing trendedCOVID nineteen deaths, decline in COVID nineteen
related hospitalizations and intensive care, Unitedemissions, and the high levels of population

(00:25):
immunity. And it went on.While acknowledging the remaining uncertainties posted by potential
evolution of the virus. They advisedit is time to transition to long term
management and the message we've all beenwaiting for more than three years to hear.
The WHO Director General concurs with theadvice offered by the Committee regarding the
pandemic that COVID nineteen is now anestablished, an ongoing health issue which no

(00:49):
longer constitutes a public health emergency ofinternational concern. Over the last thirty eight
months or so, the virus aconcern and claim more than six point nine
million lives. It impacted pretty muchevery other person living on the planet,
and the after effects are still ripplingthrough our lives, from labor shortages to
supply chains. Nowadays getting better,but those scars of the lockdowns and physical

(01:11):
distancing are still echoing through society andthe business community. I hear now some
restaurants are closing because margins are stilltight and they don't have the cash flow
to pay back the loans they gotto help them get through the pandemic.
Now the mask mandates are long gone. I pretty much stopped wearing mine now.
I didn't see a few on facesas a public event yesterday, but
it seems like really we weren't waitingon the WHO to tell us that it's

(01:34):
now more a part of our pastthan it's a concern for our future.
About ten days after that announcement,Saltwire spoke with doctor Robert Strang, Provinces
Chief Medical Officer of Health, andhe said, while the announcement was welcome
news, doesn't mean it's time tostrip away all preventative measures. Quote.
While this is a historical moment,it doesn't mean COVID nineteen is gone,
he said, we need to continueto take the necessary measures to protect one

(01:57):
another. And while other provinces liftedall of those measures, Nova Scotia is
still being careful. Health department saysit plans to regularly review its protocols for
COVID, including masking and visitor andcaregiver presence in hospital, but no changes
at this time. And of coursethe WHO and doctor Strange mentioned staying up
to date with our vaccines herd immunity. But not everyone needs a spring booster,

(02:20):
just the ones most at risk,including people eighty year older, people
who are eighteen year old are livingin long term care or nursing homes,
seniors congregate living settings or residential carefacilities. People are eighteen or older who
are moderately to severely immunocompromised, Peoplesixty five to seventy nine without a known
history of COVID nineteen infection, Peopleof African dissent or First Nations between fifteen

(02:43):
seventy nine who don't have a historyof infection. Now, I don't think
I'm the only one who missed themessage or the updates, and some not
in any of the risk groups.But I'm glad to have gotten through it
and to see COVID in the rearview mirror still in view but behind us.
I'm Sheldon for Saltwire. Turn offthe noise, tune in to what

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