🧵 1/ 🙏 @humanrights4BC for updating your Covid19 sec w/ @KasariGovender’s Mar16/22 letter to #DrHenry. Also, for incl this imp 2nd letter dated Apr12/22 that challenges BCPH narrative, Henry’s response & continues to advocate for masks. #bcpoli #bced bchumanrights.ca/wp-content/upl…
2/ As per your Apr12/22 reply to #DrHenry, you state: “Although I understand reasoning…for ending temp mask mandate, I wish to offer some responses to points raised in you Mar31/22 letter.” Con’t…
3/ “While it’s encouraging pop-level threat of serous outcomes from Covid is reduced, it’s not the proportion of people at risk but the rights of marginalized that are relevant to HR...”
4/ “..data you shared confirms that deep inequities remain. Elderly people continue t/b at much higher risk as evidenced by graph you provided..& you note that there’s a pop..for whom vaccine is less effective. This pop is neither insignificant in #s nor in rights entitlement…”
5/ “Those w/compromised immune systems & less robust response to the vaccine are forced to weigh their safety against their right to equal participation in society (incl sending their children to school & getting safely to work/med appts via public transit)” @SafeSchoolsBC #bced
6/ “…the data you provided shows that 1/3 of those that died from the virus btwn Dec 11 & Jan 10 were fully vaccinated. The fact that most people exp only mild symptoms has no bearing on our responsibility to those who continue to die & face significant illness.” @Protect_BC
7/ “…vaccination rates & marginalization are interconnected. Altho BC does not publish disaggregated demo data except in relation to FN & Métis…evidence from peer jurisdictions suggests there are continuing inequities in vax access & uptake among numerous marginalized groups”
8/ “…the end of vax mandate, waning effectiveness…w/o boosters & lower immune response to vaccines in some pops compromises effectiveness…as a protective mechanism. For these reasons…exclusive use of vaccines a defence against the virus will result in disproportionate harm…”
9/ “In Apr1 opinion piece, you argued..layers of PH protections are like layers of warm clothing..we shed..I worry…this metaphor fails to capture communal nature of masking & other PH interventions. If my layers..help keep others warm…calculation to remove them is quite dif…”
10/ “…wearing a mask is simple & effective way to protect oneself & others from transmission..We share the burden b/c masks are most effective when worn not only by those vulnerable..but also by those who may be spreading it. Making masks optional serves to indiv the decision..”
11/ …leaving vulnerable people w/ responsibility to advocate to others for their rights & health. This is an unjust & unnecessary burden to place on those who already bear burden of increase risk, particularly in a world that is increasingly polarized about Covid protections.”
12/ “And is particularly troubling in the case of public transit & schools, 2 indoor environments that many cannot avoid regardless of health status” #bced
13/ “You note that a mandate is mildly intrusive & assoc w/some inequities; I consider these t/b comparably minor concerns next to the protection that masking provides to most med vulnerable.”
14/ “You raise how mask mandates stoke division in society; I respond that the loud voices of a misinformed minority should not tip the scales when weighed against the rights of marginalized groups..& med vulnerable shouldn’t..bear weight of countering misinfo on indiv basis.”
15/ “You argue that requiring masks will have little add benefit b/c exposure can no longer be prevented…But fact that masks continue t/b req’d in HC settings & that you continue to recommend mask use elsewhere (incl public transit) shows they remain effective health measure.”
16/ “…you highlight social & psychological harms that can come from imposing an indefinite public health restriction…” but like seatbelt laws... “Viewing masking thru lens of protection rather than restriction can shift our perspective on whether they cause psychological harm.”
17/ “& any psychological harm that may be caused must be weighed balanced against the more profound harms to the rights of marginalized people to participate in society & enjoy their HRs to fullest extent possible.” Your full letter again here: bchumanrights.ca/wp-content/upl…
18/ Again🙏@humanrights4BC & for incl both letters from @KasariGovender to Dr.Henry in a more accessible sec on your site. That said, I have some questions.
1st, was this 2nd letter ever sent to #bcmedia or just added here w/o public release?: bchumanrights.ca/news/commissio…
19/ & Did Dr. Henry respond to this 2nd letter? If so, pls incl this response as well. If she hasn’t, pls put pressure on esp now & esp in light of new dire circumstances impacting BC kids & further affecting health compromised & vulnerable people. BCians are counting on you.
20/ Pls amplify this Apr12/22 rebuttal letter (above) from HRC Govender to Dr.Henry that lays bare faulty logic for lifting universal masking & it’s profound impact on those at risk. Esp w/# of very sick BC kids now! @brish_ti @PennyDaflos @charliesmithvcr #bcpoli #BringBackMasks
21/ @KasariGovender I truly hope that on the heels of the public release of this 2nd letter today, you will immediately start pressuring #DrHenry @Dave_Eby @adriandix to reinstate universal masking to protect children & those at extreme risk right now. As per my Dec 17/22 letter:
22/ 🙏 @haus_ppl. "Those who are most vulnerable among us shouldn’t have to depend on the kindness of others to respect their fundamental rights. For this, they should be able to depend on the responsible exercise of governmental power." It’s really the crux isn’t it, @Dave_Eby?
23/ Also, if you are a BC resident & haven’t yet signed this stellar advocacy letter by @OhCasavant calling on @KasariGovender & @humanrights4BC to initiate an immediate inquiry into BC’s discriminatory #COVID19 policies, PLEASE DO SO ASAP! ⬇️⬇️⬇️
24/ I neglected to incl this imp sec too: “I am particularly concerned about lifting of the mandate in schools & public transit, where many med vulnerable people & their close contacts cannot avoid going regardless of their vulnerabilities."
🙏@Lidsville for your thoroughness:
25/ THIS ⬇️⬇️⬇️ #bced
26/ This newly publicized Apr12/22 HRC letter to Henry challenges all reasons for lifting masks & shines light on deep inequities that remain bchumanrights.ca/wp-content/upl…
@Dave_Eby himself reinstated HRC t/b fully independent w/power to initiate inquiries to hold BC govt to account.⬇️
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