Despite the extraordinary measures taken by education professionals, the impact of Covid 19 had major and negative impacts on students, Tests given in 2020 show 70 percent of students performing lower than expected grade level.

Long-term effects to society, although still a mystery, are expected to be quite real for many people. Anxiety disorders and depression are up 30 percent, according to one study.

The discussion centered first on obligations to self and to community, then turned to the maze of ethical issues linked to the problems of mass vaccination against Covid-19.

Dr. Bernier called the current Covid-10 pandemic the most significant health worldwide challenge to values and ethics in 100 years. He called the response of the United States, once considered the leader in such issues, “a colossal failure.”