Monday June 8, 2020 ~ VICTORIA, BC
by Mary Brooke, B.Sc. ~ West Shore Voice News
Last weekend, and in days before that, people in communities around BC have been participating in civil protests about anti-racism.
These large gatherings have in most cases blatantly defied the orders of the Public Health Officer about physical distancing during the province’s management of disease transmission during COVID-19 pandemic.
Balancing civil rights with COVID-19 sensibilities:
Provincial Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry clearly noted the breach of mass gathering protocols, while at the same time assuring British Columbians of her recognition that anti-racial issues must of course be addressed in our modern society.
“People need to speak up against racism and the impact it is having on our community,” said Dr Henry today June 8 in her media briefing.
But she added: “I and we are concerned in a way that respects the right to peaceful demonstration, but cannot have impacts on those very people we are trying to stand up to protect.”
“Many racialized communities are adversely affected disproportionately,” the Public Health Officer said, adding that indigenous communities are “differentially affected”.
Find ways to protest safely:
Dr Henry said people need to “use what we have in place”, referring to the guidelines about physical distancing, hand hygiene and wearing a mask in certain circumstances.
She recommends that small groups wearing masks can still have a powerful impact, while still maintaining physical distances.
“We have seen that around the world (some) impactful demonstrations.. I am thankful that all the ones in the BC have been peaceful,” said Dr Henry. But added: “Hopefully you are not bringing (COVID-19) back to your families and communities if participating in large group, especially if chanting and close together.”
Watch for symptoms and get tested:
For anyone who has participated in the large gatherings, Dr Henry asks those people to monitor their symptoms and get tested. For testing, call 811 and/or take the online COVID-19 self-assessment tool.
“We do not want to have outbreaks because of this important way of having our voice heard,” she concluded.
Now in Week 3 of second incubation period:
Today Dr Henry said that BC is now in Week 3 of our second incubation period since restrictions started loosening up. “By end of this incubation period we should be in a good place to move into the next period or phase.”
She noted that last week schools reopened in BC and that there were “some gatherings that happened”… “so we need to see the impact of those, so we are moving slowly.”
With school reopened and people out to parks and camping, Dr Henry and also Health Minister Adrian Dix today encouraged British Columbians to not loosen up on attention to physical distancing and other measures to keep the COVID-19 curve flattened in BC.
Tourism and travel factor:
With reference in this case to travel and visiting other communities for summer vacations, Dr Henry said to be self-sufficient (bring what you need with you for camping, including what you would need if someone becomes ill). But this applies in the broader context as well: “If the virus is anywhere we are at collective risk.”
“Social and physical distancing practices that we’ve all been doing for the last few months” should be used.