Scholars and Practitioners Share Research Findings and Experience with Chinese Community during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Prepared by Fiona Bian and Xiao Han:
CNIW Dec 12, 2021: The Second CNIW Health and Bio-Medical Forum was held on December 16th at Xinflix Auditorium. The theme of this forum was "COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Impact on the Chinse immigrants in Canada".
After his brief welcome speech, Dr. Peter Wang shared some of his research findings derived from a number of surveys during the pandemic. Additionally, he also discussed current COVID-19 pandemic situations in Canada, particularly in Ontario.
Dr. Pamela Sujiman, Dean of the School of Arts at Ryerson University (https://www.ryerson.ca/arts/about/our-people/dr-pamela-sugiman/) and Dr. Brenda Wilson, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Memorial University (https://www.med.mun.ca/Medicine/Faculty/Wilson,-Brenda.aspx) both delivered pre-recorded congratulatory speeches (video clips below). The two emphasized the importance of community engagement for researchers.
For the past two years, CNIW has been actively collaborating with academics from three Canadian universities on a study of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Chinese community. In this forum, Professor Lixia Yang (https://www.ryerson.ca/psychology/about-us/our-people/faculty/lixia-yang/) from the Department of Psychology at Ryerson University, on behalf of the scholars of the team, presented their important scientific research findings. Some of research results have been published in academic journals and reported in academic conferences. Professor Lixia Yang especially emphasized the importance of coping with mental health during the epidemic.
Professor Jim Hu (https://lmp.utoronto.ca/faculty/jim-hu), professor of experimental medicine and pathology at the University of Toronto and a senior scientist at the Hospital for Sick Children introduced his "new crown vaccine" project and reiterated the fact that the current COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective.
Dr. Heyu Ni (http://stmichaelshospitalresearch.ca/researchers/heyu-ni/), a Senior Scientist at the Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science and St. Michael’s Hospital and a Professor of University of Toronto explained why some side effects of COVID-19 are to be expected and how severe side effects are extremely rare.
Professor Lee Errett, Chair of Global Surgery (https://surgery.utoronto.ca/lee-errett) and the President of Bethune Medical Development Association of Canada (https://www.bmdac.ca/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4#:~:text=Errett%20has%20founded%20the%20Donnelly,to%20come%20and%20exchange%20ideas.) has traveled between Canada and China for many years, actively promoting medical exchanges between China and Canada and working during the epidemic. In his speech, he reflected on the importance of Bethune's spirit from his experience as a front-line doctor.
Dr. Xiaolin Wei (https://www.dlsph.utoronto.ca/faculty-profile/wei-xiaolin/), Professor at the University of Toronto, contrasted COVID-19 control policies between Canada and the United States through virtual participation.
Dr. Lu Wang, (http://www.geography.ryerson.ca/luwang/) a professor of geography at Ryerson University, shared the latest scientific research results of her and her team in the past two years from the relationship between new crown risk awareness, preventive behavior and personal space activities.
Laura Gilbert PhD (C), scientist at Public Health Agency of Canada, explained in detail how the Canadian COVID-19 detection system works.
The traditional Chinese medicine (TMC) played an important role during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. A recent study (https://cniw.org/cniw-contributes-to-scholarly-work-assessing-the-role-of-traditional-chinese-medicine-in-fighting-covd-19/) suggests that TMC is widely believed and practiced among Chinese immigrants in Canada as well. Professor Binjiang Wu shared the important role of traditional Chinese medicine in the fight against the epidemic in Ontario.
The forum also invited Archie Stewart, a cancer-fighting hero in Canada who is in the midst of the epidemic. He suffers from multiple cancers and participated virtually. In his speech, he used his personal experience full of positive energy to encourage cancer patients to strengthen their beliefs and overcome difficulties. His deeds were touching. Cancer Hero Archie Stewart
According to Dr. Peizhong Wang, the first forum was held in June 2019 (picture below) with the theme of commemorating the passing of Dr. Bethune, and more than 20 experts from Canada, China and the United States attended.
Below is the poster used to promote this event.
Due to the COVID-19 control public health measures, only 40 key individuals were invited to attend, including speakers, local media, and community leaders. However, virtual live sessions through YouTube and zoom were held. The estimated total attendees were about 200.