This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/18/world/canada/coronavirus-stigma-new-brunswick.html
The article has changed 23 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| For Canadian Doctor, the Virus Came With Stigma | For Canadian Doctor, the Virus Came With Stigma |
| (1 day later) | |
| TORONTO — He is a doctor in a small city in New Brunswick, Canada, who drove to pick up his 4-year-old daughter — and to have a job interview — and then came home. | TORONTO — He is a doctor in a small city in New Brunswick, Canada, who drove to pick up his 4-year-old daughter — and to have a job interview — and then came home. |
| Two weeks later, he and his daughter tested positive for the coronavirus. The same day, he was denounced by the provincial government and the internet, and suspended from his hospital job without pay. Then the police opened a criminal investigation into him. | Two weeks later, he and his daughter tested positive for the coronavirus. The same day, he was denounced by the provincial government and the internet, and suspended from his hospital job without pay. Then the police opened a criminal investigation into him. |
| His crime? | His crime? |
| He traveled across the border into the neighboring province of Quebec, and returned without self-isolating, breaking a New Brunswick emergency act, the authorities say. They also say he brought the coronavirus with him, sparking an outbreak. He says that’s not true. | He traveled across the border into the neighboring province of Quebec, and returned without self-isolating, breaking a New Brunswick emergency act, the authorities say. They also say he brought the coronavirus with him, sparking an outbreak. He says that’s not true. |
| The story of the doctor, Jean Robert Ngola Monzinga, captures the fear and uncertainty this pandemic has unleashed on the world. While it has brought some communities together, it has turned others against one another. In some places, doctors and nurses have been physically attacked and ostracized as perceived vectors of the disease. | The story of the doctor, Jean Robert Ngola Monzinga, captures the fear and uncertainty this pandemic has unleashed on the world. While it has brought some communities together, it has turned others against one another. In some places, doctors and nurses have been physically attacked and ostracized as perceived vectors of the disease. |
| The story also raises a fundamental question that many countries are grappling with as they loosen lockdowns: What is the proper balance between collective responsibility and individual freedom? | The story also raises a fundamental question that many countries are grappling with as they loosen lockdowns: What is the proper balance between collective responsibility and individual freedom? |
| Some say Dr. Ngola’s example shows the calamitous effect a single person’s carelessness can have; others say it highlights the danger of scapegoating individuals for suffering unleashed by a virus that will be with us for the foreseeable future. | Some say Dr. Ngola’s example shows the calamitous effect a single person’s carelessness can have; others say it highlights the danger of scapegoating individuals for suffering unleashed by a virus that will be with us for the foreseeable future. |
| Weeks after he was diagnosed with the virus, Dr. Ngola remains hidden in his home, not even leaving for groceries for fear he will be targeted. He is an easy mark — a rare black man and immigrant in the shrinking mill city of Campbellton, who trained as a doctor during the civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He believes racism played a role in his public denunciation and shaming. | Weeks after he was diagnosed with the virus, Dr. Ngola remains hidden in his home, not even leaving for groceries for fear he will be targeted. He is an easy mark — a rare black man and immigrant in the shrinking mill city of Campbellton, who trained as a doctor during the civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He believes racism played a role in his public denunciation and shaming. |
| “I have been treated like a criminal,” said Dr. Ngola in a telephone interview. “I am a destroyed person.” | “I have been treated like a criminal,” said Dr. Ngola in a telephone interview. “I am a destroyed person.” |
| Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of the small eastern province of New Brunswick, said, “We have a big problem on our hands.” | Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of the small eastern province of New Brunswick, said, “We have a big problem on our hands.” |
| “I am very, very, very concerned about how to move forward and recover from this as a province in trying to reduce the stigma for all people,” she said, adding, “We need to change our culture and conversation toward support and understanding.” | “I am very, very, very concerned about how to move forward and recover from this as a province in trying to reduce the stigma for all people,” she said, adding, “We need to change our culture and conversation toward support and understanding.” |
| Campbellton, a city of just 7,000, is set on the Restigouche River, which separates New Brunswick from Quebec. Even before the uproar surrounding Dr. Ngola, the response to the coronavirus had caused tension and complaints of discrimination. | Campbellton, a city of just 7,000, is set on the Restigouche River, which separates New Brunswick from Quebec. Even before the uproar surrounding Dr. Ngola, the response to the coronavirus had caused tension and complaints of discrimination. |
| The New Brunswick emergency measure effectively cut off two Quebec communities that operate like suburban neighborhoods of Campbellton — the sleepy village of Pointe-à-la-Croix; and the Mi’gmaq nation of Listuguj, where there are 3,000 residents but no grocery or clothing stores. Instead, they would take the short journey across the river to shop, go to restaurants, seek medical care and attend school. | The New Brunswick emergency measure effectively cut off two Quebec communities that operate like suburban neighborhoods of Campbellton — the sleepy village of Pointe-à-la-Croix; and the Mi’gmaq nation of Listuguj, where there are 3,000 residents but no grocery or clothing stores. Instead, they would take the short journey across the river to shop, go to restaurants, seek medical care and attend school. |
| Although the emergency measure allows nonresidents to cross into Campbellton for “the necessities of life,” many complained they felt unwelcome at best and criminalized at worst, regularly targeted, they said, by calls to a provincial hotline set up to report rulebreakers. | Although the emergency measure allows nonresidents to cross into Campbellton for “the necessities of life,” many complained they felt unwelcome at best and criminalized at worst, regularly targeted, they said, by calls to a provincial hotline set up to report rulebreakers. |
| A van carrying elders back from a New Brunswick hospital, where they had gotten dialysis, was surrounded by police, said Darcy Gray, chief of the Listuguj First Nation. | A van carrying elders back from a New Brunswick hospital, where they had gotten dialysis, was surrounded by police, said Darcy Gray, chief of the Listuguj First Nation. |
| “There is now this feeling, ‘Stay on your side, you don’t belong over here’,” said Chief Gray, a former counselor at the English-language Campbellton high school, where Listuguj students go. “You didn’t have an issue with us three months ago. Or did you?” | “There is now this feeling, ‘Stay on your side, you don’t belong over here’,” said Chief Gray, a former counselor at the English-language Campbellton high school, where Listuguj students go. “You didn’t have an issue with us three months ago. Or did you?” |
| Fourteen days after Dr. Ngola’s 28-hour trip, Blaine Higgs, New Brunswick’s premier, and Dr. Russell, the province’s chief medical officer, announced that after weeks of few transmissions and only two active cases in the whole province, an outbreak had occurred. | Fourteen days after Dr. Ngola’s 28-hour trip, Blaine Higgs, New Brunswick’s premier, and Dr. Russell, the province’s chief medical officer, announced that after weeks of few transmissions and only two active cases in the whole province, an outbreak had occurred. |
| They blamed a “health care worker” who, Mr. Higgs said, had been “irresponsible,” and broken the province’s emergency measure, which banned unnecessary travel out of New Brunswick and demanded every returning resident self-isolate for 14 days. | They blamed a “health care worker” who, Mr. Higgs said, had been “irresponsible,” and broken the province’s emergency measure, which banned unnecessary travel out of New Brunswick and demanded every returning resident self-isolate for 14 days. |
| This worker, Mr. Higgs said, had traveled to Quebec for personal reasons and the next day returned to work in the hospital. | This worker, Mr. Higgs said, had traveled to Quebec for personal reasons and the next day returned to work in the hospital. |
| Over the next three weeks, some 40 people would be infected, including two who died — marking the first fatalities to the virus in the province. | Over the next three weeks, some 40 people would be infected, including two who died — marking the first fatalities to the virus in the province. |
| “All the contact tracing was done, and it was determined that this was a travel-related case,” Dr. Russell said. “That means it was brought in from outside the province.” | “All the contact tracing was done, and it was determined that this was a travel-related case,” Dr. Russell said. “That means it was brought in from outside the province.” |
| New Brunswick, among the first provinces to emerge from lockdown, then delayed the reopening of churches and swimming pools. | New Brunswick, among the first provinces to emerge from lockdown, then delayed the reopening of churches and swimming pools. |
| The region around Campbellton, where Dr. Ngola moved in 2013 to open a family medical practice and work in the hospital’s emergency room, re-shuttered hair salons and barber shops. | The region around Campbellton, where Dr. Ngola moved in 2013 to open a family medical practice and work in the hospital’s emergency room, re-shuttered hair salons and barber shops. |
| The emergency room closed, since many other employees had been in contact with him. | The emergency room closed, since many other employees had been in contact with him. |
| While the hospital, like the government, did not identify Dr. Ngola, his name and photo quickly appeared on Facebook and were shared thousands of times, soliciting many derogatory comments. | While the hospital, like the government, did not identify Dr. Ngola, his name and photo quickly appeared on Facebook and were shared thousands of times, soliciting many derogatory comments. |
| Many in town were furious. | Many in town were furious. |
| “That somebody could be so careless, to put us all back in so much danger,” said Rodney Harquail, the owner of a hotel and restaurant that was on cusp of reopening after two months. “And to find out this guy is a doctor — the arrogance.” | “That somebody could be so careless, to put us all back in so much danger,” said Rodney Harquail, the owner of a hotel and restaurant that was on cusp of reopening after two months. “And to find out this guy is a doctor — the arrogance.” |
| He blames Dr. Ngola for costing him thousands of dollars from customers who were too scared to come. | He blames Dr. Ngola for costing him thousands of dollars from customers who were too scared to come. |
| Updated June 22, 2020 | Updated June 22, 2020 |
| A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. | A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. |
| The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. | The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. |
| The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. | The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. |
| So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. |
| A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. |
| States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. | States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. | If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. |
| “There are protocols in place for every citizen to follow,” said a town councilor, Gilbert Cyr. “It has nothing to do with color or race.” | |
| Others were more forgiving. | |
| “Yes, the doctor should not have done what he did,” said Luc Couturier, president of the Downtown Campbellton Business Improvement Association. “But it could happen to anybody, anywhere.” | |
| He added, “You can’t stop it until there’s a vaccine or a cure.” | He added, “You can’t stop it until there’s a vaccine or a cure.” |
| Dr. Ngola’s lawyer said race, not the rules or science, triggered his swift denunciation. | Dr. Ngola’s lawyer said race, not the rules or science, triggered his swift denunciation. |
| Many hospital workers come in and out from Quebec, the lawyer, Joel Etienne, pointed out in a letter last week to Premier Higgs, demanding an apology. Others hired to work temporary jobs in hospitals were not required to self-isolate. | Many hospital workers come in and out from Quebec, the lawyer, Joel Etienne, pointed out in a letter last week to Premier Higgs, demanding an apology. Others hired to work temporary jobs in hospitals were not required to self-isolate. |
| “The difference between them and Dr. Ngola is Dr. Ngola’s race,” Mr. Etienne argued. | “The difference between them and Dr. Ngola is Dr. Ngola’s race,” Mr. Etienne argued. |
| Dr. Ngola, 50, does not believe he brought the virus into the province. “No one can say they are patient zero,” he said. “We are in the middle of a pandemic.” | Dr. Ngola, 50, does not believe he brought the virus into the province. “No one can say they are patient zero,” he said. “We are in the middle of a pandemic.” |
| “I am convinced I got it in New Brunswick at my work,” he said. “I can’t blame anyone. I’m a soldier on the front line.” | “I am convinced I got it in New Brunswick at my work,” he said. “I can’t blame anyone. I’m a soldier on the front line.” |
| Dr. Ngola said he traveled to Quebec to pick up his daughter, whose mother had left for a family funeral in the Democratic Republic of Congo, leaving the child with a relative in a Montreal suburb. | Dr. Ngola said he traveled to Quebec to pick up his daughter, whose mother had left for a family funeral in the Democratic Republic of Congo, leaving the child with a relative in a Montreal suburb. |
| “My little daughter was alone,” Dr. Ngola said on a French-language radio show, La Matinale. “What should I have done?” | “My little daughter was alone,” Dr. Ngola said on a French-language radio show, La Matinale. “What should I have done?” |
| On their eight-hour drive back to Campbellton, he stopped at a medical clinic in Trois-Rivières for a job interview with two doctors. | On their eight-hour drive back to Campbellton, he stopped at a medical clinic in Trois-Rivières for a job interview with two doctors. |
| He did not tell his employer about the trip, he said. | He did not tell his employer about the trip, he said. |
| The example of Dr. Ngola might stop others from breaking the rules for fear of public humiliation. But it won’t stop further infections, experts say. | The example of Dr. Ngola might stop others from breaking the rules for fear of public humiliation. But it won’t stop further infections, experts say. |
| “It’s not a question of one person screwing everything up,” said Susan Kirkland, the head of the department of community health and epidemiology at Dalhousie University in Halifax. “That’s the nature of the disease until we get a vaccine.” | “It’s not a question of one person screwing everything up,” said Susan Kirkland, the head of the department of community health and epidemiology at Dalhousie University in Halifax. “That’s the nature of the disease until we get a vaccine.” |
| The virus can be spread by asymptomatic people, she pointed out. | The virus can be spread by asymptomatic people, she pointed out. |
| Frank McKenna, a former New Brunswick premier, said the focus should be on how the province dealt with the outbreak: Public health units quickly tested more than 4,000 people and, through rapid contact tracing, placed some 300 into self-isolation. | Frank McKenna, a former New Brunswick premier, said the focus should be on how the province dealt with the outbreak: Public health units quickly tested more than 4,000 people and, through rapid contact tracing, placed some 300 into self-isolation. |
| “The province was very adroit at dealing with a predictable event — an infestation,” Mr. McKenna said. “We are a microcosm of what will happen right across North America.” | “The province was very adroit at dealing with a predictable event — an infestation,” Mr. McKenna said. “We are a microcosm of what will happen right across North America.” |
| Dr. Ngola is hoping to return to the hospital “with dignity” and slowly shut down his practice, so his patients can be transferred to another doctor. He can’t imagine remaining in Campbellton. | Dr. Ngola is hoping to return to the hospital “with dignity” and slowly shut down his practice, so his patients can be transferred to another doctor. He can’t imagine remaining in Campbellton. |
| “I am not comfortable going for a walk or even driving to downtown; especially since I’m with a little girl,” he said. “The psychological impacts are horrible. I will need therapy. That is certain.” | “I am not comfortable going for a walk or even driving to downtown; especially since I’m with a little girl,” he said. “The psychological impacts are horrible. I will need therapy. That is certain.” |