Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
a more assertive publicity campaign so the public better comprehends the origins,
eleventh, a large-scale educational campaign should be launched to increase the
crisis consciousness of all Canadians about any influenza pandemic. In the event of
such a crisis, some ethnic communities would become inactive, forcing citizens to
stay home and suffer from the psychological impact of reported deaths among their
communities, especially in vancouver and toronto where there are large numbers of
immigrants. In the worst-case scenario, members of some ethnic groups would run
the risk of being stereotyped as 'undesirable' virus carriers due to the origin of the
influenza pandemic in their 'home countries', even though they may have long treated
re-emerge, making ethnic groups point their accusing fingers at others. Unless
canadian governments at all levels launch an appropriate, extensive education
campaign for all citizens, ethnic misunderstandings could be a time bomb undermining
canada's social harmony. In the event that most members of the public remain
complacent, their relative lack of preparedness would render social mobilisation
against the spread of an influenza pandemic difficult and time consuming. Educating
the public extensively about a pandemic does not create panic. Instead, it paves the
way for social unity and mobilisation during a crisis.
twelfth, the canadian government must rigorously augment its reserves of anti-
influenza vaccines, which have already been increased from 16 million shots to
effective shield against an influenza pandemic.
thirteenth, in light of the fact that many hospitals in china had their windows
open to improve air circulation during the SarS crisis, the canadian government
must ensure that the ventilation system of public hospitals, government buildings,
and all other public places is frequently inspected and cleaned. Due to the weather
conditions in canada, many hospital and buildings have their windows tightly
closed, a phenomenon that could increase the transmission of infectious disease. the
outbreak of legionnaires' disease in the Seven oaks Home for the aged in toronto
in 2005 revealed the problematic ventilation system in some canadian hospitals.
Fourteenth, municipal governments need a two-pronged strategy to educate the
public on the influenza pandemic and to improve their capacity. It is reported that
Toronto would not have the ability to cope with a large-scale influenza pandemic,
that 2.6 million citizens would be unable to receive timely vaccinations, and that
35 percent of the population of Ontario would be infected with the influenza
their influenza management capacity. An auspicious sign is that many municipal
regions, such as ontario's Peel and York regions, have formulated emergency plans
to cope with infectious disease such as an influenza pandemic and the west nile
preparedness.
Fifteenth, since canada is endowed with a vast physical space, it has tremendous
potential to develop makeshift hospitals, quarantine camps, and special funeral
