PANDEMIC STORIES: DIARIES OF 2020 TO 2021 PART 3 of 3
OUR COLLECTIVE PAUSE
疫境同行
PART 3 of 3: Community Work
During the unprecedented time of the global pandemic, Canadians across the country were adapting to new and innovative ways to face the disruptions caused by COVID-19. We document some of these moments in this chapter as a time capsule of what occurred when time stood still. No matter what we were doing, every person felt the impact whether it was professionally, personally, financially, culturally, or perhaps spiritually.
This pandemic, although tragic for many families, also provided a time of realization and personal reflection — an opportunity to reimagine the world together. In some cases, it was as simple as the sweetness of connecting with culture again through a homemade dumpling or a virtual Chinese lesson taught by grandpa and grandma.
在這前所未見的全球大流行的期間，加拿大人在全國各地都採取了新的方式來面對因新冠肺炎而帶來的種種不便。這章，我們以時間胶囊的形式記錄了時間凝定下來的幾個瞬間。無論我們正在做什麼，每個人都感受到其中帶來的影響，那可能是職業上的、個人層面上的、經濟上的、文化上的，又抑或是精神層面上的。儘管它帶來的創傷經歷，這次大流行同樣為我們造就了領悟與反省的契機—個讓我們重新省思想像世界的各種可能。在某些故事裡，我們看到與自身文化再次連結的機會，或許只是簡簡單單地親手做一次水餃，或遙距地跟祖父母學習中文。
“Community Work”
Shaun Chen
Member of Parliament, Scarborough North
Spent the pandemic with Family and community
Optimism and perseverance are foundations of the Chinese diaspora in Canada. Since the late 18th century, our stories have formed a rich tableau with one common thread: optimism about the life to which we aspire and the fortitude to realize that dream.
While we have made great strides in the name of acceptance and diversity, the racism which once openly targeted our community through official policies, such as the Chinese Exclusion Act and head tax, now lurks in the shadows.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, we became overt targets once again. The hatred that emerged was revealed in concerted ways with boycotts, vandalism and violence, tarring our nation’s reputation. A parliamentarian and party leadership candidate dared to question the loyalties of Canada’s top public health official, Dr. Theresa Tam, in a callow and ignorant tirade. It was shameful.
Our Chinese community remains infused with true patriot love. I felt it firsthand as many of us banded together, working to ensure that our fellow Canadians, essential frontline workers and those most vulnerable have the personal protective equipment they need. I personally delivered over 180,000 surgical masks, N95 masks, face shields, gloves and gowns to hospitals, long-term care centres and seniors’ homes. Optimism and perseverance, passed on from one generation to the next.
Alan Lam m.eng., p.eng.
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto
Spent time with the Community
Amidst the turmoil and uncertainty that the COVID-19 pandemic has created in virtually every facet of our individual lives, there has also been a consistent, powerful, and collective movement within our community to come together — while apart. At the Chinese Cultural Centre, we consider ourselves stewards of human compassion within our community, spanning ages, cultures, backgrounds, and socio-economic statuses. We have been moved and inspired by the generosity of individuals and organizations as we have all striven to combat this novel threat.
We launched a fundraising campaign, “One Mask at a Time”, in mid-March to purchase PPE (masks) to distribute to the most vulnerable seniors and frontline medical workers working in long term care facilities in the community. Fear, isolation, uncertainty, complete loss of already limited independence, or a decrease in caregiver visits can all be mitigated with the help of a single mask. “One Mask at a Time” is a novel campaign for a novel challenge. Masks are a highly effective tool for personal protection in order to continue some semblance of normalcy to run our minimal errands, but they are practically unattainable for seniors living alone who have no avenue to get them.
In about eight weeks, CCC raised $230,000 in total and delivered masks to 22 long term care facilities, 22 senior apartment buildings and over 70 multicultural organizations with senior membership. An Appreciation Wall will be set up at the Centre to recognize the unique collaborative efforts of the community during this unprecedented time.
Amanda Lew Kee
Designer
Spent the pandemic with Family in Toronto
When the pandemic hit Toronto, the city was faced with an immediate shortage of PPE. I learned from my maternal grandmother, that if you have the skills, means and time, always give back. It was an inner calling to respond to what our country needed most. The initiative was not only to produce an essential tool to fight COVID-19 but also to set an example across my social platforms supporting the use of face masks. After donating over 4,500 masks to long-term home care and senior communities across the GTA I quickly pivoted my attention to address mandatory mask bylaws. No Mask No Service is a respectful way to understand how we can do our part to protect each other.
The brand started as a creative approach to promote the use of face masks, generating excitement with limited edition drops, providing a fit that’s designed for comfort and ease, as well as offering an economical choice to support small local businesses. In difficult times, kindness and compassion are shared acts of healing.
We challenge ourselves and our peers to be conscious of how we consume, where our products are being made and what effect our personal choices have during a global pandemic. As long as this pandemic lasts, face masks will be an important tool to protect each other. Masks make a difference, and difference is made when we embrace change together.
Ardyce Yik
Canadian-licensed Naturopathic Physician
Spent time with my husband and 3 kids
A few months ago, when the COVID-19 pandemic shook the world, I realized that the challenges we faced were unprecedented (strict social distancing measures, businesses shutting down, online home schooling, etc). As a mother and healthcare practitioner, I wanted to do something to help others, so I decided to create an illustrated book on how to stay healthy during a global pandemic — physically, mentally and emotionally.
To keep it simple, I chose 20 important tips to remind people of how to stay healthy on various levels. As a Canadian working overseas in Hong Kong, I realized that I could support impoverished communities here. So I researched charities and organizations to contribute to monetarily and through gifting of my books. Charities I've partnered with include Changing Young Lives Foundation, Health in Action, J Life Foundation, Hope of the City, Move4Migrants, IBEL, etc. Ultimately, my hope is that this book will bring joy to each reader through its captivating illustrations that remind us that we are all in this journey together during this time.
sponsored by piaget.
Mary Ng Member of Parliament for
Markham-Thornhill and Minister of Small Business,
Export Promotion and International Trade
Spent the pandemic working from home
Over the past few months, like many of you, I’ve been trying to create a sense of normalcy in these unprecedented times. I’ve been connecting virtually with friends and family, and taking some time to learn new cooking skills — I even tried my hand at making sourdough bread!
But my main focus throughout this crisis has been to save as many local businesses and Canadians’ jobs as possible. I have continued working hard on behalf of people in Markham-Thornhill and all Canadians — but mostly from home. I’ve been having virtual conversations with people in my community, small business owners across the country, and my international counterparts around the world.
I believe that the continued vitality of our neighbourhoods and communities depend on small businesses and the 8.3 million Canadians they employ. As we begin to restart and rebuild safely, we will continue to be there for Canadians, and I know Canadians will continue to be there for each other — from “buying local” to volunteering at their local food drive.
But this pandemic has also seen a rise in anti-Asian racism. As I outlined in my recent op-ed in the Toronto Star — we cannot let this go unchecked. We must denounce hatred in all its forms and always fight fiercely for the values of acceptance and compassion that distinguish us as Canadians.
In many ways, this pandemic has pushed us to reflect on the future of our society. For me, it has made me more motivated than ever to ensure the people in Markham-Thornhill and all Canadians are safe and supported. Together, we will get through this challenging time and build a better, more inclusive country for everyone who calls this place home.
Clement Chu
President, Canadian Chinese Youth Athletic Association
Spent time with My wife, Yolanda and my daughter, Maddie
"Praying is not about asking; it’s about listening.It is just opening your eyes to see what was there all along."
— Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche
In 1995, the Canadian Chinese Youth Athletic Association (CCYAA) sought to provide opportunities for youth in our community to stay active and have pride in their heritage. Since then, 2019 was a peak year highlighted by the Raptors' NBA Championship which inspired the thousands of youths in our basketball programs. We worked with Marvel actor Simu Liu to launch a platform aimed at advocacy for Asian culture by hosting 20 celebrities to raise funds and awareness for the Jeremy Lin Foundation.
Then this year, we were impacted by the virus that was reportedly circulating in China, which at first felt very foreign to our day-to-day. It wasn’t until we began executing Chinese New Year events with the Raptors that we started to hear, “is a bunch of Chinese people together in a public venue a good idea?” Fast forward to May 25 with the murder of George Floyd when we, as Asian Canadians, had to ask ourselves what our role should be as part of the Black Lives Matter movement.
These unprecedented times have taught me that no issue is too foreign, and that health, both mental and physical, need reprioritization. The threats have always existed, and this period has inspired us to treat others with more thoughtfulness, invest in our local communities and build vigilance against problems that we might have been complacent about in the past.
