On Feb. 3, Dr. Kirsten Patrick, deputy editor of the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ), interviewed three medical experts from the University Health Network in Toronto on the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. At the time, there were only four known cases in Canada, all due to recent international travel.

Since then, the landscape has changed extensively for both health care providers and the public. Canada now has over 15,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (as of Apr. 5) and Canadians across the country are practising social (physical) distancing to help “flatten the curve.”

Dr. Patrick’s interview with Dr. Alon Vaisman, Dr. Susy Hota and Dr. Isaac Bogoch provides answers to common questions about COVID-19 and offers helpful recommendations and insight on:

• how to stop the spread
• the background of the virus
• where to find up-to-date and reliable information
• how levels of government and health care networks are working together
• the timeline for a vaccine
• the importance of investing in preparing for any future pandemics

By educating ourselves and taking efforts to keep others safe, including our health care providers, we can all make a difference in the outcome of this pandemic.  

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