Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration recently warned Canadians to be prepared for a “hypothetical virus” that the administration believes could cause a public health crisis, lockdowns, and food and fuel shortages similar or worse than the COVID-19 pandemic.
In June, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety released the second edition of its “Flu and Infectious Disease Outbreaks Business Continuity Plan.” The handbook includes warnings and strategies for businesses in preparation of a “hypothetical virus” that the Canadian government believes could lead to another pandemic.
“It is important to know that a pandemic will come in 2 or 3 waves about 3 to 9 months separating
each outbreak. Each wave is expected to last approximately 6 to 8 weeks,” the handbook states. “A pandemic may last in these cycles for up to two years or more.”
The handbook adds, “The Public Health Agency of Canada also warns that, based on trends from past pandemic flus, there may be a higher average number of illness and deaths in age groups different than what we typically see during annual flu seasons.”
According to The Post Millennial, Trudeau implemented severe restrictions on Canadians who refused the COVID-19 vaccine during the recent pandemic. The outlet noted that Canadian citizens were prevented from traveling, eating at restaurants, and even working if they were not vaccinated. The strict COVID-19 mandates eventually led to a major trucker protest, which was met with force when the prime minister used emergency powers.
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The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety’s handbook warns that it was “impossible to determine with certainty” how many people would be forced to work from home in the event of another pandemic. The handbook adds, “Estimates vary because no one will know for sure how ill the new virus will make people, how fast it will spread, or how many people will not go to work, until it happens.”
The “Flu and Infectious Disease Outbreaks Business Continuity Plan” also warns that another pandemic could cause supply chain issues, telecommunications disruptions, banking challenges, and a shortage of food, water, medicine, and fuel.
News of Canada’s “hypothetical virus” preparations comes as former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci recently called for Americans to return to wearing masks due to another rise in COVID-19 cases.
Last year, President Joe Biden announced the creation of a “permanent” Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy to handle future pandemics. Meanwhile, the Post Millennial reported that health officials have pointed to increasing bird flu and monkeypox cases as potential health emergencies.
