Collateral impact of Covid response studied

The public health response to Covid was harder on some social groups than others and this should be kept in mind for future events, according to a study presented by the city’s public health director, Dr Mylène Drouin, this week.

The report cited a litany of troubles that worsened under lockdown and curfew: mental health struggles, food insecurities, drug and alcohol consumption and an increased risk of domestic violence.

We can only hope that a more virulent and dangerous pathogen doesn’t arise in the short term, because our governments have been thoroughly bullied out of mandating masks and distancing as means of limiting contagion. A report like this will be used by some to emphasize how very unfair are these simple, practical means of reducing infection.