MONTREAL—The Quebec coroner investigating the deaths at elder care homes during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic assured health workers they were not at fault and deserve respect for the working conditions they endured. “Rest assured that the coroner’s office doesn’t lay blame on health-care workers,” coroner Géhane Kamel said. “And each individual who went to work, whether in a CHSLD (long−term care home) or at the hospital, has nothing but thanks and respect from us.” The comments came as a witness, a worker who’d treated residents at Résidence Herron, had ended her testimony by asking what would be done for staff who endured the situation and treated residents as best as they could given the circumstances but had the finger pointed at them as if they’d let patients die. The coroner sought to reassure the witness, noting her final report will include observations on their working conditions. Kamel’s …