Chinese communities help Canadian hospitals cope with pandemic

As the coronavirus continues to spread across Canada, hospitals are facing a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers.

A batch of PPE contributed by China and the Chinese community in Canada has been sent to hospitals and health centers to help those front-line healthcare workers and better protect the wider community in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

On March 23, the Twitter account for Toronto Pearson Airport read: "We had a special cargo delivery by @ChinaEasternNA today. It brought lifesaving medical supplies for Canada's fight against COVID-19, donated by @Foundation_MA & @AlibabaGroup. We're proud of our role in maintaining the flow of essential materials at this critical time."

On Friday, the Bank of China delivered more than 500 cases of medical supplies to Toronto. The first batch of supplies included 30,000 surgical masks, 10,000 sets of protective clothing, 10,000 goggles and 50,000 disposable gloves. More supplies, including the N95 medical masks, will be delivered later.

"During the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in China, the Canadian government and people offered their medical aid and donations to help China combat the epidemic, for which we are deeply grateful," said Li Aihua, president and CEO of Bank of China (Canada). "We will stick to serving and contributing to the community and promoting the friendship and cooperation between China and Canada."

The medical supplies were received by the Bethune Medical Development Association of Canada and will be donated to hospitals affiliated with the University of Toronto, including the Michael Garron Hospital, St Michael's Hospital and Toronto Western Hospital, where COVID-19 assessment centres have been established.

Canada Minister of Foreign Affairs François-Philippe Champagne thanked China for its aid by tweeting: "In the face of a global pandemic, supporting each other is not only the right thing to do; it's the smart thing to do."

Meanwhile, members of Chinese communities across Canada have been collecting and donating PPE such as N95 masks, face shields and medical gowns to local hospitals.

When the Confederation of Toronto Chinese Canadian Organizations (CTCCO) learned that major hospitals in Canada were short of various PPE, they collaborated with affiliated groups and volunteers to immediately donate supplies.

"Canada is our second hometown. Canadians have responded in the spirit of Dr (Norman) Bethune when our home country was attacked by a coronavirus outbreak. A drop of water shall be returned with a burst of spring. It's time for us to pay back and contribute to Canadian society," said Weng Guoning, chairman of the CTCCO.

Weng said the virus had generated fear and discrimination against the Chinese community. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, along with various MPs and councillors, however, supported the community by visiting Chinese restaurants and supermarkets, which helped encourage Chinese Canadians at a difficult time.

Since mid-March, the CTCCO, along with the Canada Toronto Fuqing Business Association, has donated medical supplies worth C$100,000 to North York General Hospital, Mississauga Hospital, Markham Stouffville Hospital and Scarborough Health Network.

"The series of donations are prompt, timely, and effective, which fully demonstrated the determination and strength of your Chinese community to unite ethnic groups and communities to defend us against the pandemic," said a message sent by the hospitals.

Recently, Montreal Chinese Culture and Art Foundation President Susan Huang and her colleagues shipped 150 sets of coveralls and 2,500 medical masks to McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), which is one of the largest health networks in North America.

"Our doctors, nurses, and volunteers need to be protected and in a safe place," said Huang. "We would like to try our best to help those in need in this critical moment. We are all in the same boat, the virus is our common enemy, and together we can beat it."

"Your Chinese community's expression of solidarity at this time of need is appreciated beyond the words. Our patients, physicians and personnel thank you!" wrote Michel Regis, MUHC's medical material donation chief, in an email to Huang.

The Chinese Professionals Association of Canada (CPAC), one of the community organizations that raised funds for hospitals in Wuhan, again calls for donations, this time for Canada.

"The battlefield has shifted to Canada and around the world," said Eric Xiao, president of CPAC. "It's time we do something for our country and support our Canadian healthcare workers."

CPAC has launched a donation campaign with a C$50,000 target at the website https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-canadian-healthcare-workers.

Many older Canadians have expressed fear about going out for groceries or medical reasons without a mask. To ease anxiety, the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto mobilized volunteers, including members of the Youth Leaders' Circle, to deliver 600 packages of masks to all households in two senior apartment buildings in Toronto.

As of Monday, more than 7448 Canadians had tested positive for the virus, with 89 deaths reported, according to data from Canada government.