Coronavirus: Canada and Provincial #COVID19 Pandemic Responses Increase Risk of Community Transmission; How to Contact Your Elected Officials

                                      

The words and actions of government officials speak for themselves. We're on our own, Canada!

Contact Minister Patty Hajdu here:

Website: https://phajdu.liberal.ca/contact-us-form/

Email: PATTY.HAJDU@PARL.GC.CA
Call: Ottawa office: 1-613-996-4792 Constituency office: 1-807-766-2090 

[Ed: BE NICE/POLITE to her staff! Imagine what it would be like to work for her right now.]

Excerpts:

Between 30 per cent and 70 per cent of Canadians could become infected with the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19, federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu said Wednesday, but that number will depend on the scope and scale of the response to combat transmission.

The COVID-19 outbreak is a “national emergency and crisis," Ms. Hajdu told the House of Commons health committee, but public health officials say they won’t prohibit mass gatherings until the virus spreads more widely.

“There are a range of estimates, but I would say that it is safe to assume that it could be between 30 per cent of the population that acquire COVID-19 and 70 per cent of the population,” she said.

While most will recover, she said Canadians must work together to protect seniors, people with underlying conditions and other vulnerable groups.

“What we are saying is that each case, it’s a case-by-case basis. It will depend on the kinds of risks in your community. It will depend on the number of cases in your community,” Ms. Hajdu told reporters Wednesday.

Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott said the province had no immediate plans to bring in tougher measures, such as banning large gatherings, closing schools or putting students returning from travel in isolation – at least until cases that cannot be linked to international travel or visitors emerge. 

“We’re not at that stage yet,” Ms. Elliott said. “… We’re watching this very, very closely.”

[Ed: Community transmission is now well established in Canada. A "Health Minister" who doesn't know that is a SCARY person!].

Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s Provincial Health Officer, said officials there are not ruling out anything, such as the cancellation of Easter church services or a delayed return to school after March break. It will all depend on what happens in the province in the next few weeks, she said.

“It’s not easy to say across the board everything should be cancelled because we want to continue with life as well,” Dr. Henry said.

Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, on Wednesday recommended all those who travel outside of Canada to limit their attendance at large public gatherings upon their return, and to self-monitor for symptoms. 

She said older people and people with underlying health conditions should think about the risks associated with mass gatherings, stopping short of advising against them.

The number of COVID-19 cases has increased dramatically in Canada in recent days, reaching more than 100 as of Wednesday. Those include the first cases on Vancouver Island and in New Brunswick.

The news that a man who attended the massive PDAC conference tested positive for the virus sent alarm bells across the country. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and several political and business leaders were at the conference. 

Health officials say attendees should monitor themselves for symptoms for the next two weeks.

Weeks, C. (2020). Between 30 and 70 per cent of Canadians could become infected with coronavirus, Patty Hajdu says. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-between-30-and-70-per-cent-of-canadians-could-be-infected-with/.

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What Can You Do About This Situation

 

Email, or contact your MP (Member of Parliament): Tell them you're unhappy about how the COVID-19 pandemic response has been handled by your province, and Canada and that you want to see improvements IMMEDIATELY to stop the transmission of COVID-19 in your region and Canada. 

Report local test refusals to MP’s and senators: Advise them if you, anyone in your family, or in your community has been refused testing for COVID-19. BC’s elected officials have been completely silent while community transmission is spreading, including in their own ridings.

Find out your MP’s contact information here: https://www.ourcommons.ca/Members/en

Email, or contact your MLA too: Tell them you're unhappy about how the COVID-19 pandemic response has been handled by your province, and Canada.  

Report local test refusals to MLA’s: Advise them if you, anyone in your family, or in your community has been refused testing for COVID-19. Many elected officials have been completely silent while community transmission is spreading, including in their own ridings.

Find Your Local Senators here: https://sencanada.ca/en/senators-list/ 

In BC Find Your MLA’s contact information here:

MLA’s by name: https://www.leg.bc.ca/learn-about-us/members

Search for your MLA by Postal Code: https://www.leg.bc.ca/Pages/BCLASS-Member-Search-PostalCode.aspx