Words to remember: Canadian newsmakers have their say on COVID-19

A look at some of the top quotes from across Canada on Monday in relation to COVID-19:

“There’s some donors, deceased organ donors, and we’re not sending teams to procure those organs. It’s quite tragic.” — Dr. Atul Humar, past president of the Canadian Society of Transplantation, as organ transplants are scaled back so hospitals can treat COVID-19 cases.

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“I think I would say we’re not necessarily on the same trajectory. We were quicker to get the screening done, and I think we have had more success in getting people to self-isolate.” — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, comparing the COVID-19 curves between Canada and the United States.

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“When somebody’s sick you want to be there and hold them and hug them — and it’s the one thing you can’t do with this. When we got the news, I watched my mother break down and I couldn’t even console her due to her having the illness. I wanted a hug from my mom and I couldn’t get it.” — Nova Scotia’s Kelly Marshall, whose father is on a ventilator and whose mother has tested positive for COVID-19.

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“The reality is if there’s a massive surge of people coming into our hospitals in the next two weeks, our supply lines will be seriously challenged.” — Ontario Premier Doug Ford.

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“This is kind of a sad milestone in our fight against COVID-19.” — Saskatchewan chief medical health officer Dr. Saqib Shahab after the province recorded its first two COVID-19 deaths.

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“Don’t take your children with you (to the grocery store). And please don’t let them lick the handles on the shopping cart.” — Health Minister John Haggie of Newfoundland and Labrador.

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“It is tough having to go through another winter. It’s exhausting. But my partner Hillary and I can take it on together and we can get through it and do it even better.” — Canadian rower Caileigh Filmer on the challenge facing her and partner Hillary Janssens now that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics have been pushed back a full year to July 2021.

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“I still have lots of Lysol wipes and I’m wiping down everything — cutlery, cups, you name it. I don’t want to go home in a body bag.” — Ottawa’s Catherine McLeod, who has been stranded at sea for more than a week on a cruise ship where four passengers have died.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 30, 2020.

The Canadian Press