Article content
COVID-19 has been a great educator. Members of the public now toss around terms like viral load, safety, efficacy and herd immunity, often using them quite correctly.
The disease has also been an amazing unifier. One of the most common slogans, painted on walls, displayed in store windows, and even featured on a United Nations’ webpage is “We’re all in this together.”
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Try refreshing your browser, or Keenan: Reseachers are in this together to solve rare diseases Back to video
Numerous commentators have pointed out that actually “we’re not all in this together” because COVID-19 has highlighted and even increased inequalities. If you’re rich enough to get food delivered, and have a backyard, you’re better off than many people. If you can work from home, you’re one of the lucky ones. If you have access to a vaccine, which experts urge us to get as soon as possible, be thankful.
Keenan: Reseachers are in this together to solve rare diseases
calgaryherald.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from calgaryherald.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Coronavirus: Young Canadians with rare diseases feeling impact of pandemic
msn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from msn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
This is but one of the many stories shared by Durhane Wong-Rieger, president and CEO of the Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders (CORD). Feb. 28 is Rare Disease Day, and with one in 12 Canadians affected by a rare disease two-thirds are children Wong-Rieger talked about the burden felt by patients and families. “Rare diseases do affect a lot of people. There are between 6,000 and 7,000 rare diseases. Some will affect one in 2,000, some will affect one in a million, some are so rare that we only know maybe two people (affected) in all of Canada,” Wong-Rieger said. Some well-known rare diseases include cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, sickle cell disease and Tay-Sachs disease. Many rare diseases are genetic due to a misprogramming of a person’s DNA, according to Wong-Rieger.
Tackling Canada s drug shortages - The Globe and Mail
theglobeandmail.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theglobeandmail.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.