Opinion: Greater focus needed on pandemic's collateral damage It is imperative that we start implementing comprehensive strategies to address things like surgery waitlists and mental health problems. Author of the article: Janusz Kaczorowski and Claudio Del Grande • Special to Montreal Gazette Publishing date: Mar 03, 2021 • March 3, 2021 • 3 minute read • An operating room as seen in 2012: During the pandemic, thousands of Quebecers have had surgeries cancelled or postponed to make way for COVID-19 patients, making already-long waitlists even longer, Janusz Kaczorowski and Claudio Del Grande say. Photo by Dario Ayala /Montreal Gazette Article content As we approach the first anniversary of lockdowns, we have recently passed the grim milestone of more than 10,000 deaths attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec. It is becoming increasingly apparent that this statistic may well pale in comparison with the collateral damage inflicted by the pandemic on social, economic, psychological and physical well-being, including short- and long-term mortality.