A ‘different year’ and ‘a different normal’ — Anglican Journal
A 'difficult year' and 'a different normal'
Anglican epidemiologist, vaccine developer talk 2021 and beyond
A 'difficult year' and 'a different normal'
Anglican epidemiologist, vaccine developer talk 2021 and beyond
Though many people might not like to hear it, there's no indication this year will be much better than 2020 in terms of the pandemic and its effects, say two Canadian Anglicans whose professional lives have connected them with the fight against COVID-19.
"I think 2021 is going to be a difficult year," says the Rev. Michael Garner, associate incumbent of St. Thomas the Apostle Anglican Church in Ottawa. Before coming to the priesthood, Garner worked for 14 years as an infectious disease epidemiologist at the Public Health
Agency of Canada. He currently serves as public health advisor to Shane Parker, bishop of the diocese of Ottawa, and advises Archbishop Anne Germond, metropolitan of the ecclesiastical province of Ontario, on pandemic preparedness.
"I know there are people who are fatigued and just want this to be over with," he says. "I think we're going to be a lot more tired. And how we care for ourselves and our congregations, and people in our broader circles, to help them continue to endure through this time is really important."
This year, Garner says, will likely look and feel a lot like the second half of 2020, with restrictions meant to curb the spread of the virus likely to remain in place for some time-including those on in-person worship.