Hub Podcasts Kevin Quigley on how COVID-19 seized markets, media and special interest groups
May 14, 2025
Kevin Quigley, Director of the MacEachen Institute and author of 'Seized by Uncertainty,' delves into the complexities of Canada’s pandemic response. He analyzes how legal frameworks and public opinion swayed governmental decisions during COVID-19. The discussion reveals how media coverage impacted public perception, especially concerning high death rates and youth issues. Quigley also highlights economic disparities faced by small businesses versus large corporations, and the unique challenges within the fragmented trucking industry amid the crisis.
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Narrow Focus Limits Response
- Canada's pandemic response was fluid, sometimes rational, sometimes not, shaped by science, politics, and emotions.
- A narrow focus on disease containment ignored wider societal impacts like mental health and economic consequences.
Living in Pandemic Anxiety
- An older woman told Kevin Quigley she feared touching anything could cause her death from COVID-19.
- This illustrates the intense anxiety the pandemic generated in vulnerable individuals early on.
Balance Media Coverage
- Media should communicate both the probability and consequence of risks to avoid unnecessary public anxiety.
- Balance pandemic coverage with other important societal issues like jobs and housing to avoid neglecting key concerns.
