NUDGINGS: a journey into the unknown

  “We can’t have thoughts and prayers being public policy,” While speaking about the death of a 13 year-old Brampton girl yesterday, a government spokesperson said ‘Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of this young girl.‘ Later that same day however an infectious diseases doctor responded on TV to that comment by saying “We can’t have thoughts and prayers being public policy, Action is what is needed!”  Emily’s father was an essential worker in  Brampton and brought the virus home, Emily became infected and died. These same doctors had been calling for weeks for paid sick leave so that workers can afford to stay home when not feeling well and still be able to put food on the  table... calling for weeks without any action being taken by the government. That lack of action had led to Emily’s death as well as the deaths of countless others here in Ontario. Hence this doctor’s statement. Jesus, who John Dominic Crossan called a radical Jewish peasant, co...

As the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine continues across Ontario, the rhetoric between politians and health care experts continues as does the theatrics between Ford and the opposition parties. Whose rights take precedence this debate? Is it the individual or society? Are we kowtowing to big business letting the little guy make all sacrifices? The growth of infection is scary as it threatens to completely overwhelm the health care system. To who should we listen? Does that even make a difference?  At these thoughts go through my mind, I am reminded of the various stories in the Old Testament about kings and prophets. The prophets would speak out against the actions of the kings that were causing hardship for the people. Eventually the people would get the message and would stage an uprising against the king. For awhile there would be peace and then the people would want a king again to look after them. And the whole scenario would start over again.  What is inter...

Following Easter this year, churches, mosques, and synagogues, as well as other meeting places for faith communities took their rightful place in our society.  Following the announcement of the  latest COVOD-related lockdown a week ago, there was immediate talk about pop-up clinics to be held for people over 18 years of age living in hot spots in parts of Toronto. These being mainly the marginalized, the immigrants, the poor, and the helpless. But what really caught my attention was when they said these pop-up clinics would be, among others sites, in places of worship. The Easter story went through my head, followed by the long history of various branches of the Christian church right up to today claiming that Jesus died to save us from out sins, that we are guaranteed eternal life.  Some sects even go so far as to say those still living when the end of the world comes, will be whisked away during The Rapture to heaven, leaving those unfortunate enough not to be ...

This blog comes out of a conversation I have had with a couple of different people this last week.The third wave of COVID is here. The number of cases among younger people are rising. The ICUs in hospital are at capacity. While vaccines help, they can’t keep up to the risking cases.  Younger people are scared. You can hear it in their voices as they say it is time to reevaluate who gets the vaccine to younger age group.  Some are even saying that seniors should just be told to stay home.  When I first heard that note of panic, I wondered why? Why was it so pronounced? After all the third wave of the Spanish flu was the worst, so what is happening now should not be a surprise. As a friend pointed out those people born in the 60s or later in this country have never had to face a wide spread threat of  serious illness. They are now being faced with an illness over which they have no control, which can land them in the hospital or even cause death. Yes that is...