Recently, Donald Trump made it clear that 3M, one of the most reputable producers of N95 masks, should not be exporting their product to the rest of the world, Canada included.
As a Canadian, this is shocking (though maybe not for this current administration).
Canada and the USA have long had a relationship built on trade and mutual support. But now things are tough, and America has made it clear: don't look to us.
Yes, the economy is down. Yes, fatalities are high. And yes, this is the way the world is going to be for the next while. But the tragedy here transcends any one political party or nation: this is a global pandemic. We're all fighting the same enemy. If the owner of the New England Patriots can send a private jet to China to get surgical masks, and then deliver them to rival New York City, federal governments are certainly capable of allocating funds and assistance to states and provinces, and to their global allies.
In light of the announcement that apparently Canada would receive no masks from the United States, Ontario premier Doug Ford made it clear his thoughts on the matter: "We're stronger together than we are separate. In a major crisis, they want to cut everyone else off? That is totally unacceptable. Canadians wouldn't do that."
I've lived in Canada my whole life. All things considered, I'd consider myself proud to be Canadian. But I never thought I'd agree with something a Ford said or did, after Rob Ford's stint as mayor of Toronto. Until now... but then again, this is an unprecedented time. Stranger things have (and are) happening. But it's important to not lose sight of the big picture behind all of this: we're in this together.
This is all maybe summed up best by a post I saw on reddit the other day, talking about the current state of this pandemic (complete with a hockey metaphor- this is Canada, after all):
"This is second period at best, with a strong likelihood of overtime. Get your beers, have a pee, and hang in there."
Now's not the time to be starting a bench brawl.
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