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Political leaders like Alberta Premier Jason Kenney continually emphasize minimizing “impairment” to the economy. Fearing lockdowns, they fail to give uniform messaging. This continues regarding sizes of gatherings.
They are not solely to blame. In July, the WHO issued an advisory that this virus was airborne. Why did it take until now to get reliable information about safe masks being three-layered?
Early false messaging flew in the face of best practices in several Asian countries. This was probably rationalized to crisis manage scarcity of PPE for hospitals. We need to “do unto others” for the Golden Rule to work in public health. And we don’t only wear masks to protect others; we wear them to protect ourselves.
You can’t expect different results if you don’t embrace different practices.
Since June, Canada’s death rate has risen from 20 to 30 people per 100,000; eight times Australia’s rate. South Korea, where universal mask use and effective testing and tracking has helped control surges and avert reactive lockdowns, is still under one (yes one).
Saskatchewan remains on the verge of a surge because decision-makers seem inclined to wishful thinking and “advisers” are still reading political lips. Premier Moe calling this a “slowdown” just adds to the confusion.
This is not a way forward. Nor are anti-mask protests.
Informed health officials are again saying “stay home, socialize only with your household”?
Better late than never will not protect healthcare and precarious workers, seniors, young adults at growing risk, or small businesses who remain pawns in the fools-game.
Jim Harding is a retired professor of environmental and justice studies. He has published widely on social and environmental health.
