The Current

The Current for Nov. 16, 2020

Today on The Current: Doctors and nurses describe ‘dread’ as COVID-19 cases risk overwhelming hospitals; Is devastation of spring’s first wave repeating itself in long-term care homes?; Mystery behind viral video of woman with dementia dancing to Swan Lake; Fears over growing conflict in Ethiopia.
Matt Galloway is the host of CBC Radio's The Current. (CBC)

Today on The Current:

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, nurses and doctors are warning about what happens if ICUs exceed capacity. Matt Galloway talks to Dr. Darren Markland, an intensive care physician and nephrologist at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton; Darlene Jackson, president of the Manitoba Nurses Union; and Dr. Ann Collins, president of the Canadian Medical Association.

Then, is the devastation of the first wave repeating itself in long-term care homes? We talk to Lisa Muswagon, whose father is a resident at a home in Winnipeg, about the fear and anxiety her family is experiencing. And Dr. Samir Sinha, director of Geriatrics at Sinai Health System and the University Health Network in Toronto, and Isobel Mackenzie, the Seniors Advocate in B.C., discuss the lessons learned — but not always implemented — since the first wave in spring.

Plus, a recent viral video shows a former ballerina — living with memory loss — coming to life as she hears music from Swan Lake. But who is she? Alastair Macaulay, former dance critic for the New York Times, looked into her life.

And the UN has warned that conflict in Ethiopia could "spiral out of control." Giulia Paravicini, Reuters Ethiopia and African Union reporter, brings us the latest from Addis Ababa, and former U.S. Ambassador to Botswana Michelle Gavin discusses what the conflict means for the region, and what Canada can do to help.

Full Episode Transcript