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Life Before During and After Covid-19

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Life Before During and After Covid-19
By: Kayode Tim Ogunnaike

Kayode Tim Ogunnaike – African Canadian Seniors Network

Reseau des afnes Afro-Canadiens

Avant 2019, il n’y avait aucune référence àau COVID-19. II a été officiellement reconnu par l’Organisa­ tion mondiale de la santé le 11 février 2020, ce qui a Fait de COVID-19 un nom familier.

La vie Avant le COVID-19

Disons-nous que tout se passait normalement mais qu’est-ce que c’était que ce « normal»? Normal à cette époque, les gens dormaient, se réveillaient et vaquaient à leurs occupations quotidiennes sans prêter une attention particulière à qui se tenait debout ou assis à côté d’eux. Tout le monde se saluait et interagissait librement les uns avec les autres.

Puis est venu la COVID-19 et avec elle des changements de vie importants. Premierement, la necessite de maintenir une distance sociale. Puis isolement; qui a Fait des ravages parmi ceux qui combattent la mala­ die dons les hopitaux et ceux qui vivent dons des residences pour personnes agees et des etablissements de soins de longue duree. Les personnes qui etaient sur des bateaux de croisiere en vacances n’etaient pas autorisees a debarquer a leur port de destination.

Cela a ete suivi de restrictions de mouvement pour eviter la transmission du virus. Le port de masques pour se couvrir le nez et la bouche est devenu obliga­ toire. L’experience de vie humaine a considerablement change. Aller travailler devenait impossible pour la plupart car les bureaux et les ateliers etaient fermes; de plus, les ecoles ont ete fermees et le travail a domicile est devenu a l’ordre du jour. Assurer la pitance etait devenue un probleme majeur pour beau­ coup; en particulier pour ceux qui n’ont pas de moyens permanents pour subvenir a leurs besoins. Les hopitaux et les maisons de retraite manquent de personnel.

Les equipements de protection manquaient. L’incertitude etait partout autour de nous. Beaucoup ont perdu des etres chers et n’ont pas pu leur dire au revoir ou assister aux ceremonies funeraires car aucun rassemblement public n’etait autorise. Ce fut une periode tragique pour beaucoup car COVID-19 a laisse un impact durable sur la race humaine partout dons le monde.


Le Vaccin

Les scientifiques et les medecins se sont mis au travail de toute urgence pour creer le vaccin qui a soulage beaucoup. C’est a la hate que les gens d’alignaient pour recevoir 1, 2 et 3 doses. Le 4eme booster est maintenant disponible.

La vie Apres le COVID-19

Le COVID-19 ne disparaitra jamais vraiment. Des cas sont toujours signales a mesure que de nouvelles variantes sont decouvertes. Le COVID-19 a change le mode de vie. Changements structurels d’une certaine maniere auxquels nous nous rapportons inconsciemment. De nombreux changements economiques importants; tels que l’augmentation du coOt de la vie, l’augmentation du coOt des aliments, l’augmentation du coOt des nouveaux vehicules ou l’indisponibilite due au manque ou a la penurie de materiaux de production.

Dans l’ensemble, le COVID-19 a affecte negativement et defavorablement la vie des communautes marginalisees plus que tout autre. II est reconnu que les immigrants noirs qui doivent travailler quotidiennement sur place pour gagner leur vie sont plus touches. Cela a entraine une augmentation des problemes psychologiques dons la communaute. Le gouvernement a tous les niveaux doit accorder plus d’attention aux besoins des communautes minoritaires les plus touchees qui continuent de subir les effets nefastes de la COVID-19.

Il existe de bonnes recommendations de plusieurs rapports sur les effets de COVID-19 sur les communautes marginalisees qui incluent les domaines d’interet commun comme: assurer la securite alimentaire, ameliorer l’engagement communautaire avec les prestataires de services communautaires, la fourniture de soins medicaux, d’equipements de securite et de personnel correctement forme dons les centres medicaux, entre autres ameliorations de la vie et mesures de change­ ment. Le Reseau des aines afro-canadiens s’efforce d’aborder certains de ces domaines d’interet grace a son travail continu et a son engagement aupres des communautes qu’il dessert.

Life Before During and After Covid-19

Before 2019 there was no reference to COVID-19. It was officially recognized by the World Health Organization on February 11, 2020, resulting in COVID-19 becoming a house­ hold name.

Life Before COVID-19

We say everything was known to be going on normally but what was this « normal »? Normal at that time was that people slept, woke up and went about their daily lives without paying any special attention to who was standing or seated next to them. Everyone greeted and interacted freely with each other. Then came COVID-19 and with it came significant life changes. First was the need to maintain social distancing.

Then isolation, which took its toll on those fighting illnesses in hospitals and those who lived in seniors’ homes and long-term care facilities. People who were on cruise ships on holidays were not allowed to disembark at their port of destination. This was followed by restrictions on movement to avoid transmission of the virus. Wearing masks to cover your nose and mouth became mandatory. The human living experience changed significantly.

Going to work became impossible for most because offices and workshops were closed; in addition, schools were closed and work from home became the order of the day. Living resources became a serious problem for many; especially for those with no permanent means to fund their livelihood. Hospitals and retirement homes became short-staffed. There were shortages of protective equipment. Uncertainty was all around us. Many lost loved ones and were unable to say goodbye or attend funeral ceremonies as no public gatherings were permitted. It was a tragic time for many as COVID-19 left a lasting impact on the human race all over the world.

The Vaccine

The scientists and doctors got to work urgently to create the vaccine which came as a relief to many. 1, 2 and 3 doses. The 4th booster is now available.

Life After COVID-19

COVID-19 will never really go away. Cases are still being reported as new variants are being discovered. OVID-19 has changed the way of life. Structural changes in some ways that we unconsciously relate to. Many significant economic changes; such as, increased cost of living, increases in food costs, increased costs for new vehicles or unavailability due to the lack of or shortages of production materials.

In general review, COVID-19 has adversely and unfavourably affected the life of marginalized communities more than any other. It is recognized that Black immigrants who have to work onsite daily to make a living are impacted at a greater rate. This has resulted in increased psychological problems in the community. The government at all levels must pay more attention to the needs of the most affected minority communities which continue to be at the receiving end of the adverse effects of COVID-19.

There are good recommendations from several reports on the effects of COVID-19 on marginalized communities which include the following as areas of focus; Provide food security. Improve community engagement with the community service providers, Provision of medical care, safety equipment and appropriately trained personnel at medical centers among other life improvements and changing measures. The African Canadian Seniors Network, works to address some of these areas of focus through its continued work and engagement with the communities that it serves.

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