Thread by @jemyjoseph

Announcement from @fordnation sank my heart today. As an ER doctor, person of color and #Scarborough native, I feel defeated 😢. The measures are not going to get wave 3 under control. #BIPOC #ERdoc @SHNcares @torontolife @JustinTrudeau @SCMirror 1/

When I landed as an #immigrant in #Canada, my life started in #Scarborough. My parents (#heros) struggled to find jobs that matched their education. That didn't stop them from working hard / hustling even if it meant 2 jobs at times to keep bills paid and food on the table. 2/

My family lived in an apt building that had mostly racialized/middle-low income families (#affordability). Not much social distancing when large crowds wait for elevators (#EssentialWorkers) or use the shared laundry facilities. This pandemic brings back those vivid memories 3/

It was a #privilege for my family to eventually stabilize economically enough to own a home in Scarborough. My parents continued to be #EssentialWorkers until their retirement (#thankGod). If they have to work today, they jobs and SES would have made them high risk 4 #COVID19 4/

After being away for education (@UTSC @UofT @uOttawaMed), I made my way back to live and work (@SHNcares) in #Scarborough. It's a privilege to serve my #community. At the same time it brings deep sorrow to see my community suffer and left behind in this #pandemic 5/

My patients in many ways resemble my #family: #EssentialWorkers #frontlineworkers #students #immigrants #refugees #marginalized #racialized working HARD to stay afloat and fend their families, while putting their lives at risk. They have NO #choice (#WFH is a privilege) 6/

When I visited #ICU of @SHNcares, I could see my parents being a prototype of the classic patients admitted. It grieved me deeply #Scarborough don't have strong voice to represent their struggles to #policymakers & #politicians So I decided to speak up even if a small voice 7/

After today's broadcast @fordnation I am #scared; instead of #publichealth #evidencebased recommendations being implemented, I am worried about myself (#Indian #SouthAsian) and this racialized community being #policed @TorontoPolice while #wave3 rages with vengeance 8/

I will have my #IDbadge plastered to my car. But I won't let my #fears stop me from serving alongside outstanding colleagues. We are #exhausted #frustrated #angered and #saddened. We fear #triageprotocol and the #moralinjury we will suffer. But we will plough through 10/

The failed #pandemic response top down has affected the most vulnerable members of society with weak policies and inequitable solutions (#vaccinerollout) I can only #pray 🙏 somebody competent will look beyond party lines for #effectivesolutions 11/

@LisaEsther6 @victorng_md @Drlindsaybisset @MayoRavi @indysahota @andr3wjordan et al amazing colleagues @SHNcares thank you. @JustinTrudeau @fordnation @JohnTory @JeanYip3 please listen to #science #medicine #evidence can't afford to lose more #lives 12/

I would write more but it's nearly 5 am, I am home after an ER shift and can't think straight anymore.