Wednesday December 15, 2021 | NATIONAL [Updated with BC Premier John Horgan’s statement, at 3 pm]
by Mary P Brooke, B.Sc. | Island Social Trends
The federal government is delivering a bolstered effort against the next wave of the COVID-19 virus, seen now with the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.
In yesterday’s economic and fiscal update and today’s live press conference by three federal cabinet ministers, the messaging was clear: don’t travel this holiday season, especially internationally, if it’s not essential.
Booster shots:
The federal government is supplying additional COVID vaccine doses to be used as booster shots (for most people that will be a third shot, if they have already received two doses).
In BC yesterday, Provincial Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry reiterated that a six-month interval between the second and third shots will yield the best results for protection against infection or severe illness.
BC’s booster shot program is ramping up in January (February and March), as that falls six months after the bulk of immunizations that were done in June (July and August).
The NDP in Ottawa today: “We need a better approach to vaccination. The federal government can play a better role in making sure people get access to all the doses. We need a plan to make sure they get into people’s arms,” said NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. Agreement with much of that tone was heard an hour later in the live announcements afterward from LeBlanc and Duclos.
Jurisdiction & federal role:
The NDP calls for this “better approach to vaccination”, including more consolidated federal leadership still knowing that delivery of boosters and testing is a provincial responsibility. This highlights the struggle of the Canadian governance system that crops up in many areas, not just health care.
Yesterday the Prime Minister met virtually with the provincial and territorial premiers to discuss Omicron “which is rapidly spreading around the world”, it was stated in a release from the Prime Minister’s office around 8 pm Pacific.
“First Ministers discussed the importance of remaining vigilant with strong public health guidelines, and premiers noted the measures they are implementing in their respective jurisdictions,” it was stated in the PMO news release.
There was agreement among the Prime Minister and premiers that vaccination, including booster shots, is key to “getting beyond the pandemic”.
The federal government will continue to provide the tools needed to contain the spread of COVID-19, including rapid tests, support for improved ventilation, and COVID-19 therapeutics (by Merck and Pfizer, pending Health Canada approval), it was stated by the PMO. The investments were included in the Economic and Fiscal Update delivered yesterday by the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Rapid tests:
The federal government is also supplying rapid test supply across the country. Some provinces already have those supplies. In BC, the type of rapid testing most in supply requires administration by a health professional, and health-care worker availability is tight (given demand within the hospital system and immunization programs).
Yesterday Dr Henry said the new type of kits will be available in January. Today Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities Dominic LeBlanc urged the provinces to undertake rapid rollout of rapid testing and booster shot programs.
Today the NDP in Ottawa highlighted the importance of the federal government providing rapid test supplies across the country (which it now is), and emphasizing that they be available (which is presently variable among the provinces).
Don’t travel:
Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos today emphasized that Canadians should not travel abroad, where they could be exposed to Omicron, get sick, and possibly be stranded beyond the reach of the Canadian health-care system.
Yesterday BC Health Minister Adrian Dix also advised against non-essential travel. Dr Henry suggested small gatherings only, attention to ventilation, wearing masks, and not attending any gatherings if feeling unwell.
“We are concerned for people who are already travelling abroad,” Duclos said today. In some cases they may get minimal or no support from the Canadian government during the holiday season under conditions of any already stretched-thin public service and health-care system. There could be blockages at borders in some countries that the Canadian government would have no control over.
Travel takes the virus with people, and when they return they come back with likely having had viral exposure.
“Stay home and staff safe,” was the Prime Minister’s advice to Canadians, in the House of Commons today.
Not a time to take chances:
BC Premier John Horgan released a statement today around 3 pm urging British Columbians to follow the federal government’s advice to “avoid non-essential travel outside the country”. He notes that “as the highly transmissible Omicron variant spreads worldwide, this is not a time to take chances”.
“While this advice undoubtedly disrupts many holiday plans, a fast-changing and unpredictable situation demands we act with caution and prudence. Avoid non-essential travel and follow public health guidelines. Plan your vaccinations and booster shots,” the Premier said in a statement from his office.
“As we enjoy the holiday season, remember to follow health guidelines and exercise caution. We will get through this so we can once again enjoy all the holiday traditions.”
Meet virtually, smart choices:
Going back to working from home has been a general recommendation for the last few weeks, in light of the continuing pandemic and people spending more time indoors in the winter season.
Today in the face of the coming wave of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, the NDP caucus held its regular Wednesday meeting virtually and they will also have a reduced number of MPs in the House today.
In a short media briefing after the caucus meeting today, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh emphasized the Omicron fifth-wave of the pandemic as an urgent matter and encouraged: “Everybody, again, follow all the best public health guidelines.”
More health-care workers:
Hiring more health-care workers in response to Omicron and the continuing COVID pandemic was also an NDP thrust today, knowing that it takes time to train workers.
In BC, that has been a priority mentioned by Health Minister Dix during the pandemic, with more training seats opening up at various training locations.
In BC, many tracks of nursing professionals are trained at BCIT and there are nursing programs on Vancouver Island at Camosun College and the University of Victoria.
