In Praise of Dr. Theresa Tam

Dr. Theresa Tam

How is Canada doing in response to the coranavirus threat which has affected provinces and territories from sea to sea to sea? As with so many other countries we've been making it up as we go along. We've realized that there are significant shortfalls in terms of equipment for those who are on the front lines of response in hospitals. Nearly half the deaths have been in long-term care facilities for the elderly, exposing how little value we place on our elders and those who support them. We probably didn't take the threat seriously enough when news of COVID-19 emerged from China and, as always, that nation was secretive. 

Still, I have been impressed by the response of elected leaders, provincially and federally. And there are civil servants entrusted with the health of Canadians who have worked tirelessly to establish protocols and keep us informed. I've kept an eye on statistics from around the world and Canada has fewer deaths per million than the United States, Britain, Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy.. Germany has been praised for its strategy to address COVID-19 but even that nation has a higher death rate per million. 

It seems that the majority of the point people as health officials here in Canada are women, including Dr. Theresa Tam. Tam was born in Hong Kong, raised in Britain, and studied there before becoming a Canadian. Nonetheless she has been criticized heavily by the right-wing fringe in this country, most of whom would barely know which end of a thermometer to use. 

One of them is a leadership candidate for the Conservative Party of Canada, Member of Parliament Derek Sloan. Last week Sloan issued statements condemning Dr. Sloan and essentially accusing her of being an agent of the Chinese regime. His comments are vile, racist, and probably misogynist. According to an article by John Ibbitson in the Globe and Mail today "The married father of three is running on a platform that would question abortion rights, reduce immigration, roll back protections for transgender Canadians and withdraw Canada from the Paris accord on fighting climate change." How does someone like this even have the opportunity to run for the leadership of a political party that was once credible in this country? 

What truly infuriates me about Sloan is that he claims to be a Christian. Last year he offered this in an interview for the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, of which he is a part:

“I thought that God was leading me, and that God had placed me in the riding at an opportune time...“I have been keeping my eyes open for God’s leading in my life." 

The outgoing leader of the Regressive Conservatives, Andrew Scheer, has failed to condemn Sloan's remarks, although other Conservatives have. Sloan's competitors for the leadership have been silent as well, which demonstrates a disturbing level of cowardice, unless, of course, they agree with him. Shame on Scheer and those who seek to replace him.

I will mention here that I have worked with Seventh-Day Adventist pastors whom I've admired despite theological differences. I hope Sloan's comments aren't interpreted as an official stance of the denomination. 

I am grateful for Dr. Tam and all who are responding under tremendous pressure to an unprecedented threat. Whatever mistakes they have made  are insignificant in comparison to their selfless public service. We can pray that they find the stamina and wisdom to continue their difficult and essential tasks in the days ahead. God lead them.