Bambi's Thoughts
https://www.france24.com/en/20200315-lebanon-announces-two-week-lockdown-over-coronavirus
According to the article above and to Naharnet (March 16, 2020), on Sunday, the government announced a two-week lockdown of Lebanon.
The lockdown measures include citizens staying at home “unless it is extremely necessary” and a two-week closure of public and private institutions, the airport, the land, and sea ports of entry.
Good luck Lebanon!
Bambi recently had a conversation with her childhood friend, Ms. Awad (or Nayla) about the situation in Lebanon. It was a deep chat. This is why Bambi asked if she could share on her personal website. Thank you Nayla for having accepted. Bambi appreciates your kind generosity.
First of all, Nayla has always had a natural talent for seeing matters with lucidity; a quality that not too many people possess in life. Indeed, many folks deceive themselves or prevent themselves from seeing reality (especially when it is hard) by either lying to themselves or to others. Not Nayla whose honesty is precisely what Bambi has always appreciated in her good friend.
This being said, Bambi kindly called today to see how is the situation in NB, Canada. When Bambi asked her about Lebanon, sadly already hit by a crisis before this one, here were the words of her friend:
“At first, with the financial crisis [that started suddenly on October 17, 2019], we felt stuck in this country. All of a sudden, we could no longer have access to our money at the bank. That has been unfair to people. Then, with the coronavirus pandemic, we felt stuck even further, as literally we cannot (or should not) travel anymore nowadays”.
Nayla then added the following: “Plus, even if we say, let’s go to Canada for a better life. To immigrate, we need to take with us our savings to be able to live for at least a year, if we are not able to find a job at first. Well, we still cannot do that as you know because we still do not have access to our own money at the bank” [this is in reference of the limited access to funds, US$50-$100 per week, that citizens can take out of the bank].
“So, basically, people are feeling increasingly stuck, even if we know that in the end pandemics will end (hopefully with the least mortality possible). We also want to remain as optimistic as possible about the financial crisis”.
To come back to the coronavirus crisis, Nayla said: “some people cannot self-isolate because they earn a living on a daily basis. The other day, I bumped into a cab driver and he literally told me these words: I need to feed by my family; this is why I am still on the roads, despite the coronavirus”.
“Lebanon is bankrupt and cannot afford to go through what Italy has experienced. No money to buy much needed equipment. We have no choice but to be wise and try to stop the transmission of the virus”’.
She then added: “What can we do? This pandemic is what is happening now in the world and we just cope with it from the best of our capacity. I just hope that everyone will be safe and that we will not lose anyone to this virus, whether it is someone close or not, we like or not, etc.”.
“Yes, social isolation is tough on some people”, Nayla added, giving the example of some people who were already feeling down by the crisis”. She then gave the great example of Italians singing on their balcony to deal with social isolation stemming from preventive measures against the pandemic of COVID-19. To use her own words again, “there is nothing more charming and cute than that” [Bambi agrees with her friend].
To conclude this post, here are Nayla’s final wise words and below is a video from Italy showing quarantined Italians singing together from their balconies:
“Maybe we can learn from Italians. We should talk to each other, and we can do this across balconies, be kind to one another, in those times of social isolation”.
Well said, Nayla. Thank you again. Please be safe, you and your family.
Bambi would like to thank journalist Roula Azar-Douglas for her tweet of this interesting website:
Above, we can click to refresh the data.
Data shows total cases, including both incidence (new cases) and prevalence (continuing cases), severe cases, and mortality. As well, we can see the progress rate, the source of infection, the characteristics of mortality cases (sex, age range, and underlying conditions).
As of Sunday, March 15, 2020, Lebanon has a total prevalence of 99 cases (3 of them serious) with 3 deaths.
It is interesting that there are less infections among older people. It is somehow reassuring. Perhaps senior citizens know how to be wise and protect themselves (especially given their increased vulnerability).
Today night, Lebanon will be closing its border with Syria.
Army intelligence forces and municipal police officers are asking people to stop walking on the seaside corniche in Beirut and in another northern suburb.
It seems that the government cabinet, at least what is left of it, seems to be trying to work in the middle of a crisis (health) within a crisis (financial/economic). For instance, it will approve extraordinary and preventive measures. Of course, it made mistakes and careless decisions at the beginning of the pandemic. Bambi is saying this and she is not fond of that Hezbollah-backed government. However, we should give to Cesar what belongs to Cesar.
At least, they are working… Bambi hopes that our federal government will make the same efforts (like our provincial efforts and like Lebanon).
First, here is the article in question: https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/covid19-travel-bans-1.5495919
Second, Bambi would like to comment on part of that article by the CBC entitled “’Viruses don’t carry passports:’ Why travel bans won’t work to stop spread of COVID-19” (March 13, 2020) by Ms. Amina Zafar.
In this article, with all due respect, there seems to be ideologically-driven nonsense, more than science or public health. Bambi is referring specifically to the comments by Dr. Hoffman from York University.
What does he mean when he says that travel bans “don’t work. They undermine the public health response. They undermine trust in governments and violate international law in the process”?
How can they undermine the public health response? They may not be perfect or very efficient, as Dr. McGeer from Mount Sinai Hospital said. However, if they were harmful, why are they used or about to be used by several countries right now (including Norway, Denmark, the USA, and Lebanon BUT sadly after a long delay)?
If those travel bans or controls of borders do not work, why are the premiers of two provinces urging Mr. Trudeau to act and do something (BC and Québec)?
Plus, Dr. Hoffman says that they undermine trust in governments. How is that? On the contrary, citizens feel more confident in their governments when they see them acting during a crisis. Those acts do not need to be perfect but at least they exist.
Furthermore, Dr. Hoffman talks about the violation of international law. Frankly, what matters the most in a pandemic: International laws or saving lives? Plus, what international law is he referring to or perceiving? Bambi did not study law (like him) but, it seems to her, that a basic role of a country is to think of its own interests (before anything else in the world… including globalism).
Ideally, if each country protects itself well, we will all be somehow better protected. We can also learn from other countries’ experiences or delayed responses or successful measures, etc.
Last but not least, Dr. Hoffman very eloquently said: “Viruses don’t carry passports. They don’t respect border officials,” Hoffman said. “They certainly don’t prefer one country’s citizens over another.” Bambi has news for him: Viruses live in people’s organisms. People cross borders or travel, with or without a virus in their system. Plus, when he adds almost philosophically: “they certainly don’t prefer one country’s citizens over another”, although the words are beautiful, they do not reflect the reality well: It is not about people per se or even about countries they are travelling from, it is rather about geography: Infection sites. Period.
In today’s article (Journal de Montréal, March 14, 2020) , Mr. Joseph Facal wrote an article entitled “the deer” [“le chevreuil”]:
https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2020/03/14/le-chevreuil
If you do not believe that Canada’s PM is Bambi, read until the last sentence ?.
But before translating the article in question, Bambi would like to take the opportunity to salute her “dear family elder deer”. Yes, her aunt Salwa turned 93 today, March 14! “Obrigada Amto Salwa” for whom you are. Bambi and our whole family in Lebanon (+ Brazil :)) love you. Today, you are not uniting everyone at your place because of COVID-19. Hopefully sooner than you think, this pandemic saga will be behind. Please keep on being safe.
Now, here is the translated article of Mr. Facal:
It is in the crisis that we recognize a real leader, they say.
In the case of Justin Trudeau, no need for a crisis, we already knew.
He’s not a chef, he’s an actor who plays the role of a chef.
Action
In Canada, there is not a single health system, but ten provincial systems.
François Legault therefore assumes his responsibilities.
He asks Québeckers to avoid all non-essential trips abroad, and imposes concrete and severe measures here.
If health systems are essentially provincial, what can Ottawa do to help?
Better control our borders, of course, to curb the entry of infected people.
But no, while Legault and his people are struggling, Ottawa lets foreigners enter freely and wander as they please.
Flights to China are suspended, but Chinese planes can land here.
Explain to me someone…
Until yesterday noon, the travelers returning to the country said they were shocked by the lack of controls on their arrival.
The day before, the Minister of Public Security, Bill Blair, had however declared: “We have implemented reinforced screening measures”.
The only notable change was that isolation orders were given only to travelers arriving from Italy, Iran and Hubei, a Chinese province.
After François Legault felt compelled to raise his voice yesterday against his federal counterpart, what was Justin Trudeau’s response in his press briefing immediately after?
We are working on it, we will see.
He spoke of a tightening of reception measures and a concentration of arrivals at certain airports.
What measures? Which airports?
We are working on it, we will see.
Total blur, except for the cancellation of cruises.
Based on what criteria will you act? asked a journalist.
We will trust the experts, was the answer.
However, he started by telling us about the health of his wife and his.
He also said that he had chatted a lot on the phone with leaders from other countries. It is reassuring, isn’ it?
In fact, the contrast with the press conference of Mr. Legault and his team was striking.
On the one hand, we act, we give maximum details, we announce important and clear decisions, we show empathy.
On the other hand, we are served a string of vaporous phrases, a true trademark of the Trudeau government, and we start by talking about ourselves.
I remind you that the WHO estimates that 30 to 70% of the world’s population will be infected.
Present
I am in bad faith, some would say.
Before yesterday’s empty words, Justin had acted: he had created a coordinating committee, of which Melanie Joly is a member.
Powerful, isn’t it?
Legault learned the lesson of Lucien Bouchard during the ice storm of 1998, infinitely less serious: to reassure by being transparent, precise, present, close to his people.
Justin Trudeau, him, makes us think of a deer paralyzed by the truck which arrives.
Canada is governed by Bambi”.
The text further below is a translation of an article by Mr. Mario Dumont (Journal de Montréal; March 13, 2020):
https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2020/03/13/le-canada-et-les-frontieres
When Mr. Trump decided to close the border to flights from Europe, Bambi immediately thought to herself: Well, now some passengers may try to return to the USA via Canada. They can easily spread the virus here in their transit. Indeed, it seems that, at the time of writing, we have not started screening passengers upon their arrival to Canadian airports, as in other countries (including Lebanon).
Independent of this health worldwide crisis, Bambi has always thought of a country’s borders as being like our skin (or mucus), which is usually the first line of defence of our immune system.
Of course, the idea is not to over-react to unharmful substances (i.e., anaphylactic shock reactions in cases of extremes allergies). It is rather to have an optimally functional defense that would recognize what is part of the self and what is not (foreign substances or antigens). At present, we are literally talking about a new pathogen, which is the COVID-19 virus. So, the analogy with the immune system is even more relevant.
Why is Bambi saying all this? Because she knows what can happen when borders are not well-demarcated or poorly protected (i.e., the history of wars/invasions in Lebanon).
Plus, from a strictly psychological point of view, when we have high self-respect, we value ourselves enough to have “healthy borders” between us and others. We discern between what belongs to us (our responsibility) and what belongs to others (not under our own responsibility or control).
Anyhow, all this being said, here is Mr. Mario Dumont’s article that Bambi enjoyed reading upon waking up this morning. That was before Mr. Trudeau’s speech, in which thankfully he seems to want to take slightly more serious measures with regard to airports, even if he did not provide more details. By the way, talking about Mr. Trudeau, Bambi wishes his spouse a speedy recovery (“une bonne guérison”!):
“We love the image of Canada as an open country. Trump-style paranoia that lead him to want to build a wall with the neighbour doesn’t appeal to us. And that is a good thing. However, there is a limit to our so-called “openness”, and COVID-19 reminds us why a border management policy is needed in a so-called serious country.
Borders must prevent criminals from easily entering our country. Borders must protect our notion of citizenship, which must be obtained through a legal immigration process. And borders also play an important role in health. When a deadly virus threatens human health, this health component becomes even more important.
This is by far the weakest part of Justin Trudeau’s policy on COVID-19. Its corporate announcements are holding water for now. The measures to financially support the provinces are also valid and useful, paving the way for essential collaboration between the levels of government.
Not serious
However, laxity at our airports has been observed for weeks now. We have heard, over and over again, the testimony of people from areas heavily affected by the virus. They were all surprised by the lack of checks, screening tests, or even questions.
In some of these cases, people returned to Canada with a nice “hello”. At best, they were asked if they had a fever, and then they were given an explanatory pamphlet. No detailed questions about their health, no temperature measurement, nothing.
We do not even take care to sit down with these people to talk to them about the seriousness of the situation, their responsibility as citizens or about the measures to be taken to protect others. We also don’t bother to write down their contact details, so we can keep in touch with them in the event of an outbreak.
Lived example
Yesterday on LCN, I received two 19-year-old girls who were returning from Northern Italy, one of the most affected areas. They used the expression “in shock” to describe their amazement at the lack of preventive measures taken when they arrived at the airport. They expected a protocol, and were ready to collaborate, having experienced in Italy the impacts of the spread of the coronavirus.
When 19-year-olds are worried about the authorities’ lack of rigour, I guess there is a problem…
The problem is only going to get worse with President Trump’s decision to suspend all flights from Europe. There will be a great temptation for some travelers to go through Canadian airports.
About 90% of infected people are travellers, let’s be clear. I do not want to see Canada acting like Matamore to shut the door to all of Europe unilaterally. Except that the current laxity is no longer acceptable when we are asking our society for so many sacrifices.”
Bambi appreciates the sense of humour (and artistic talent) of Mr. Lemay.
https://www.journaldequebec.com/opinions/ygreck
This being said, despite the seriousness of the situation, being able to find reasons to entertain ourselves, to remain positive, and to smile are healthy mechanisms of coping with a crisis or life adversity.
Even if we worry about our loved ones in times of pandemics, it helps to have a sense of perspective on matters and to keep smiling. May everyone be safe. May our world leaders and decision-makers know how to be as wise as possible. May each one of us know how to be as responsible as possible.
Bambi would like to weigh in on an article by Ms. Zoe Hunter recently published in the Argosy (Mount Allison University’s student newspaper), which is entitled “Divest holds protest during open house”.
To begin with, Bambi has already written on this story on February 28, 2020:
Now, she would like to comment on the above article and perhaps even more specifically on the picture below.
A quick question to students with signs like “Divest from colonial violence”: What is more violent: blocking railways and hijacking the economy of a whole country OR proceeding with a project that got the approval of 20 First Nations AND that would allow many Wet’suwet’en Nation members to earn a decent living?
Why can’t the Wet’suwet’en Nation be prosperous? Doesn’t it deserve this like the rest of the world?
Another question specifically to Ms. Helen Yao who said: “Divestment is the beginning to a sustainable future… It entails shifting our economy and our lifestyle towards a living one, towards one focused on sustainability, not profit”.
Bambi’s question is as follows: How is divestment the start of a sustainable future? How would you have a future if you do not have an economy anymore? In an ideal utopic world, it would be nice to dream of a sustainable future with a renewable form of energy but this is not realistically possible yet. All what we would be shifting is the source of that fossil fuel, either a Canadian product or a product bought from Saudi Arabia, Iran, or other. Period.
Plus, what about sustainable profitability? In other terms, can’t sustainability co-exist with profitability?
According to the Argosy article, Ms. Yao added: “We need dramatic and radical change because we only have 10 years to address the climate crisis before we reach a point that we don’t want to think about,” said Yao, referencing the UN’s warning in 2018 that in order to keep global warming from rising to a dangerous point (a maximum temperature increase of 2 C), immediate action must be taken within 12 years”.
This is where Ms. Yao completely lost Bambi who does not buy this apocalyptic view/prediction.
To conclude this post, thanks to Ms. Hunter and to the Argosy for keeping us informed. Please keep up the good work (Bambi is a faithful reader :))!
Sadly, one man died in Lebanon today (56 years old). His name is Mr. Jean Khoury, according to l’Orient Le Jour. May he rest in peace… Bambi’s heart goes to his family and loved ones. He seemed to have visited Egypt. From what Bambi understood, his diagnosis may have been somehow delayed and he was transferred across hospitals. However, it remains unclear if the latter factors contributed to his complications and death.
It seems that the official number of cases (including the case of mortality) has reached a total of 52, as of March 10, 2020.
Schools, universities, and daycares remain closed until March 15. Public gardens, some mosques (for Friday’s prayer) in addition to nightclubs, restaurants, gyms, and the Casino du Liban are/will be closed.
Last weekend, the police, along with a sort of “a touristic” type of police, forced the closure of two nightclubs that remained open, despite the public ban. It is hard to stop Lebanese people when they want to party… or do business!
Other mosques and churches remain open as usual, especially that it is a spiritually busy season (preceding Easter). However, it seems that some churches had to change some of their rituals because of COVID-19.
The public hospital (featured in the video below by TRT World) seems to be doing the best it can to serve patients infected with the coronavirus (along with its regular patients). However, according to the same article cited herein, this overwhelmed hospital is now in need of external assistance, namely with regard to testing. The latter will be also be done from now on by medical labs of universities and several private teaching-hospitals.
Of not, the l’Orient le Jour article reported that the cost of the coronavirus test is: 150,000 Lebanese pounds (about CAD $156). It is unclear to Bambi who would be covering the fees of this test in the future: patient themselves (can they afford it?), the government (as it usually does when people do not have a private insurance), or the insurance companies. It is also unclear if Lebanon has or will receive assistance from the World Health Organization (WHO).
On thing is certain though: the crisis of this pandemic is an additional burden to a “bankrupt” country and to a population already strained by the financial/economic crisis since October 17, 2019 :(. Despite this, at least from far away, Lebanon seems to be dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic with efficacy (as much as realistically possible and at least for now). This is not surprising to Bambi. After all, it is the story of Lebanon, a tiny country expert in crisis management/survival.
