RNAO commemorates the #NationalDayOfObservance

March 11, 2022, marks two years since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. This date is now recognized as the National Day of Observance to honour people who have died from the virus.

Since the onset of the pandemic, more than 12,600 Ontarians have lost their lives due to COVID-19. Of those individuals, 4,284 were long-term care (LTC) residents and 13 were LTC staff members. We must always protect and prioritize the health of vulnerable populations, yet the pandemic has resulted in too many tragic, preventable deaths, exposing gaping holes in all sectors of our health-care system. And it’s not over just yet.

Nurses and other health-care workers have fought COVID-19 over the past two years despite the devastation they faced every day – and they continue the battle. They’ve sacrificed time with their family and put themselves at risk to try to save lives and treat the hundreds of thousands of Ontarians who contracted COVID-19. We commend nurses and all other essential workers for their unfailing giving, expertise and compassion.

RNAO invites you to take a moment to pause, reflect and honour the memory of the people no longer with us, and to support their families and friends.

The path toward recovery requires a rear-view mirror to ensure we never let anyone, especially vulnerable communities, fall through the cracks of our system again. Please do your part to prevent more losses. Get vaccinated. Get boosted. Wear your mask. Be safe.