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Home My WebLink AboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-08-26, Page 6Page 6 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, August 26, 2009 www.goderichsignalstar.com Proprietor and published by Bowes Publishers, P.O. Box 220, 120 Huckins Street, Goderich, Ontario N7A 4B6 EDITORIAL Pandemic threat demands a plan There is every chance that sometime this fall, more than 30 per cent of Canadians will fall prey to the H 1 N 1 flu virus. If it happens simultaneously, as is possible, consider the ramifications of one-third of the workforce, one-third of students, one-third of medical workers — or more -- being absent and unproductive. It will go far beyond being simply a medical challenge to a crushing economic and social problem. The question is, are we ready? Federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq says Canada is well-equipped and well-prepared for the worst, but admits the country's pandemic preparedness has holes and they need fixing. And it's fair to say individual organizations, in the public and private sectors across the country, fall any- where between fully prepared and in complete shambles for what could become a devastating flu season. Is it reasonable to believe that Canada, given its varied geography and political makeup, can respond quickly, deci- sively and — most importantly — in a co-ordinated way to such an emergency, especially given that such matters are provincial and territorial responsibilities? The Canadian Medical Association Journal believes stron- ger central measures are needed, and that we need a "flu czar" so the country can respond effectively in an emer- gency, and the assertion deserves serious consideration. At the moment, Canada's chief public officer of health can only try to co-ordinate regional efforts, encourage con- sensus and give guidance; he cannot issue orders to prov- inces. In a signed editorial, Paul Hebert, editor-in-chief of the Canadian .Medical Association Journal, says Canada needs an independent "national champion" with the legislative powers ,to ensure the response across provincial and territo- rial boundaries. So far, provincial and territorial health ministers have worked co-operatively and in concert and issued consistent rules, but there is no guarantee that will continue. At pres- ent, nobody can force provinces to do what they're told. As Hebert says, the system may be working fine now, but what happens if disaster strikes? Without a fast, co-ordinat- ed, organized effort, a bad situation could get considerably worse in the blink of an eye. (Sun Media) ........ The Goderich Signal -Star, published every Wednesday atroderich. Ontario is ane of The Signal -Star PMblithing Gawp of Caurnssnity Newspapers, a division ojBoWs Publishers. Tin Goderich Signal Star shell not be Hedge for jaWin to *dish at ad fortypographical errors in pab1kmion eoaept ro the attest of list car tkuportion .oflice cat is which the error occurred. The lads* el rearms dye right to reject or Alit airy arinpeharrsnt. • The Godnich SigadOir Lea oda orsember of the Canadian Conunsusity Newspapers Association (CNA) and The Ontario Conan ni yNewspapers Association (O(ryw). .Editorial Deadlines... Thieves make off with passport To the Editor; Just by chance that you're one of those rare, disrespectful little knuckle -heads who happen to read, I'd like my passport back. You can keep the car radio you ripped out of my console and the cash and take that up lat- er with your maker or meth -maker or whoev- er, but I'd reallylike to get my passport back. Drop it off at Tim Hortons or any business around town that you smoke in front of. Because my passport was stolen (my fault for parking my vehicle in -front of my house) there's a spe- cial process involved in replacing it. "Special" should never be confused with sim- Friday at 2 pm All Advertising Deadlines... Entertainment Births, Deaths, In Mernoriams... Classifieds... , Display Advertising... Telephone Pax.... Publisher... Repo Friday at 2 pm 519-524-2614 519-524-5145 Dave Sykes Dominique Milburn Gertz Creces Denny Scott • Letters opinion ple. For example, you are not special. I expect nothing, but perhaps some decent person will find my passport in their kid's bedroom, or tossed in their trash or whatever. I'd really like to have it back. Respectfully Yours (see full name in Passport) John S. Weese Classifieds & Subscription... Accounting... Office Manager... Display Sales... Advertising Manager... Judy Austin Rhonda Butt Mary Johnston Janet Shrier Lisa McLaren Keith Moreland Steve Northey Kevin Shrier Email... gunews@bawesnet.com,gsssports@bowesnet.com om gssads@bowesneL an, goderidiads@bowesnet.com website... www. goderichsignalstar. com Rodesn=Ms IAA Ammo No. 40064663 PAP RecxsnumoN No. 7602 RETURN UNoeuvau ILE Cuwdm ADDRESSES To: arouiMion Dept., 120 iliusidns 9t, P.O. Box 120, Oodsdoh, ON, NTA 416 (Sit) 621-2614 ewe gosnows@bowoonst.com We acJmowled4e the financial support of the Government of towaidoranr.11- lug tea. Canal ai a