26 APRIL/MAY 2020 www.vanguardcanada.com
CoVid-19
By LGEN STu BEARE (RET'D)
Set a Battle Rhythm to Endure Through
CRISeS
I
n these unprecedented times, I have
been asked more than once about
how the military, law enforcement,
and other security institutions con-
front, work, and prevail through
emergencies and crises. In normal times, I
would have responded immediately and in-
stinctively. However, given that we are af-
fected by the first and second order effects
of the pandemic and that we are looking for
ways to prevail in these times of incredible
disruptions to all parts of our lives, I chose
to reflect more deliberately. That led to the
formulation of these thoughts which are re-
flections that answer the question asked, and
framed in ways that I hope may be relevant
and useful to others from all walks of life.
Let's start with a heartfelt conviction.
Simply put: I am convinced that we will
endure through this emergency, we will
recover together, and we will find a new
normal, including the peace, security, and
stability we all desire in life beyond CO-
VID-19. There are two reasons why. The
first is because we, as Canadians, and as a
nation, have confronted and overcome cri-
ses in the past. The second is because we
are confronting this crisis with clear eyes,
clear minds, and compassion.
During and before our lifetimes, the
world, Canada, businesses, institutions,
citizens, neighbours, and families have
confronted crises and hardships together.
From the two World Wars to combat in Af-
ghanistan, we have endured and prevailed
in wars and through armed conflicts.
Within our borders, we have experienced
national emergencies and disasters like the
1997 floods in Manitoba, the ice storms in
Ontario and Quebec in 1998, and the af-
tereffects of 9/11 in 2001. More recently,
the devastating floods in Southern Alberta
and Quebec, and the destructive firestorms
in Alberta and British Columbia. We have
endured financial distress like the 'Great
Depression' of the 1930s and the 2008 fi-
nancial crisis. We have seen and confronted
epidemics, most notably SARS in 2003.
