‘A fire waiting to happen’: Canada’s hardest-hit Jewish senior’s home braces for Omicron

A screenshot from a video of Maimonides in Montreal, produced by the Quebec government, celebrating the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 vaccine. (Image courtesy CIUSS West-Central Montreal)

Subscribe to (opens a new window)

In spring 2020, COVID-19 ripped though the Donald Berman Maimonides Geriatric Centre in Montreal. The facility was understaffed and underprepared to begin with, and while it went into strict lockdown and the army was called in, 67 of its residents have since died from the pandemic.

The arrival of the vaccine, one year ago this month, was seen as a beacon of hope. This week, the centre hosted a party to celebrate that anniversary. Cards with the phrase “Celebrating our shot at a future without COVID-19” were on display. They brought out cookies and ballons, and a rabbi recited a memorial prayer for the dead. Camera crews were invited in to see how life at Maimonides is returning to normal as safely as possible.

But it’s not clear they’re prepared for the dangers Omicron could bring. Today, we’re joined by Jennifer Clarke of Quebec’s public health department and long-time patient advocate Beverly Spanier to discuss the realities facing long-term care homes coming into 2022.

Beverly Spanier, patient at Maimonides Geriatric Centre. (Submitted photo)

What we talked about:

Credits

The CJN Daily is written and hosted by Ellin Bessner (@ebessner on Twitter). Victoria Redden is the producer. Michael Fraiman is the executive producer. Our theme music is by Dov Beck-Levine. Our title sponsor is Metropia. We’re a member of The CJN Podcast Network; find more great Jewish podcasts at thecjn.ca.