How Toronto is Responding to the Corona Virus - a Global Health Emergency

Chinese New Year decorations in a Toronto supermarket

January, 2020

Chinese New Year is the most important cultural event for Chinese people in China, also for overseas Chinese around the world.

Unfortunately, since the outbreak of the corona virus in China happening around the same time as Chinese New Year, many celebrations have been cancelled in numerous Chinese cities. In Toronto, Canada, there are two confirmed cases of people who have contracted this virus upon their return from China recently.


Our Canadian government is doing an excellent job in tracking and contacting other passengers who sat within three rows of these two passengers on the plane.

Some people in Toronto are reacting quickly and irrationally to the virus situation. We never thought of wearing any masks but  I have learned that surgical masks are all sold out in our pharmacy stores in Toronto. Some people are avoiding social gatherings, church services; they just stay home.

As for us, we live our lives as normal.

A lady prepared the  special food for our church new year dinner.

 Last week, on Chinese New Year's day, we went to a family  New Year dinner with our brother-in-law's family, and attended two church services and a church New Year dinner.

A couple of days ago, we took our Mom out for our weekly Tuesday luncheon at a nice Chinese restaurant. 

A Lion Dance team performing in a Toronto restaurant

Not long after we started eating, there was the lion dance team coming into the restaurant and performing for the patrons.

The Lion Dancers came to our table and performed.

We held up two New Year red packets and attracted the dragon to come to our table.













I also met my sister for lunch last Monday and another friend for a drink in the evening.

My sister gave our mom a red lucky packet. My mom was tickle pink.

She kissed the lucky red packet!







My Mom was happy !
Life is normal for us! We go out, visit my mom,  friends and family and attend church services.
Nothing has changed.  We don't wear masks either.


I was so glad to see John Tory, Toronto's Mayor and Jim Karygiannis, a city councilor,  and his other fellow councilors attending a  Solidarity Dinner in Toronto on tonight's evening news.



 Actions speak louder than words! While some Torontonians are nervous and staying away from churches, restaurants and shopping malls, our elected officials' presence demonstrates their support for the Chinese community and business. Bravo to most of the inhabitants of Toronto who are not affected by the bad news on the other side of the continent and live their lives fully and normally!

R.T.
Toronto, Canada
Jan. 30, 2020