Thread by @RhondaBrown5

Five new cases of COVID-19 for #NS That includes the two school-based cases announced late yesterday. The other three are close contacts of previously recorded cases. Briefing with @StephenMcNeil and @StrangRobert should start soon.

https://twitter.com/nsgov/status/1328776732858519554

Briefing now underway. Premier McNeil starts by going over process to work with schools that now have positive COVID cases - Auburn HS and Graham Creighton JH. Calls this a "wakeup call". Says the virus is creeping into neighbourhoods.

Dr. Strang says there have been 15 new cases of COVID since Friday. Now 24 active cases. So far in November, we've had 42 cases, and "it's a trajectory we can't continue to follow." (Compare that to three in September.)

On the school cases: Two people involved are self-isolating. Everyone in each class and bus, and small number of close contacts during recess and lunch, have been asked to self-isolate. Tests are being arranged now. Anyone affected has been contacted.

Strang says this was not unexpected. Have followed protocols and communication plans since becoming aware of cases yesterday. For anyone linked to those schools, if you haven't heard from public health, you haven't been identified as a close contact. You can go to school.

No need for general community to take further action, like excluding people from those schools from sports activities, which Strang says is happening. He says he's also hearing speculation, rumours about individuals involved. Says must treat people with kindness and compassion.

Last week - NS at a tipping point. Today, feels like we're on a roller coaster. Strang says we have choices to make now. Confirms we are now starting to see community spread. Seven cases - couldn't identify source related to travel, so must conclude it's local transmission.

Need to focus on ways to keep ourselves as safe as possible in the weeks ahead. Don't want to return to days of full lockdown; Strang says the future depends on our decisions going forward. Asks people to become COVID guards - look out for own communities.

Wash hands, wear a mask in indoor public places (stop making excuses), wear mask properly (and wear a proper non-medical mask), stay 2m or 6 ft apart, follow gathering limits (no more than 10 in house or social circle). If you feel unwell, stay home. Do online self-assessment.

Appealing to employers: don't insist people come to work if they're unwell. Be tolerant, support employees, and understand they're following public health direction.

Don't leave Atlantic Bubble until absolutely necessary. Must isolate when you get back. Don't invite people from outside the bubble to be guests in your home. You will ALL need to self-isolate.

Strang: Now is the time to take this seriously. Look across the country to see what could happen if we don't. Most at risk right now are 18-35 year olds. They're mobile and social, but Strang appeals to them to be leaders in taking a stand against COVID-19.

You might not feel vulnerable, but consider those in your social circle - they may have underlying condition, or have a family member who does. Think more about others and the potential impacts of your actions in the broader community.

Reduce the number of times you go out to socialize, keep social circle small. If you're feeling unwell, stay home. Using alcohol and other substances makes it more likely that public health measures aren't followed. Be aware of that.

Time for questions. For @StephenMcNeil - what about those who can't afford to stay home sick? Everyone gets 10 sick days, administered by national government.

Strang on isolation rules and asymptomatic testing: everyone in a household of a confirmed case needs to self-isolate. Now looking at asymptomatic testing to get a better sense of COVID activity in some clusters (like Bitter End exposure).

Strang: Increased enforcement being planned for downtown bars. Says he's talking to police about enforcement of parties, etc. in the community. (Missed a few questions)

Actively in discussion now about further shutdowns, but every time we tighten down there are consequences for employment, etc. Fully prepared to go there, and likely sooner than other jurisdictions so we don't end up where they are.

@emcsheff on three layered masks: Strang says there's too much focus on number of layers. 3 is optimal, but 2 is good, but should focus on getting people to wear a mask and wear it properly. As we go forward, will change procurement to 3-layer but won't replace 2-layer

And q for @StephenMcNeil How has your interpretation of living with COVID since summer? Not changed, but we have more cases now. If community spread continues, I won't think twice about shutting down the economy again. We need to act accordingly.

PEI putting stronger measures in place for rotational workers. Why hasn't NS moved to do same? Strang: looking at logistics for getting them in and getting tested, lab capacity, etc. Can't turn these things around on a dime.

Are you optimistic that community spread can be contained to #Halifax? There's the potential for people coming in and out of city to take it with them. Need to act like the virus is in our community.

How many students and teachers are self-isolating? There were 7 teachers at junior high, 2 teachers at high school. About 53-55 students between both schools. (Dr. Strang doesn't have breakdown.)

How close are we to imposing additional restrictions? Strang: won't speculate; will depend on what we see happening over the next several days. Look at the areas we're warning about - likely to be the first areas we impose restrictions.

Back to schools: When would we go to blended model or home learning? Strang: 3-level plan: blended model for grade 9 and up, with younger kids dispersed to other schools. Ultimately could go to all online. Depends on context, cases, how exposure happened, how many involved, etc.

McNeil: cleaning protocols have been working in schools, have purchased technology we use if needed for blended model. That's what students who are self-isolating now are using.

Message to parents keeping kids home? McNeil: We understand. Anxiety is a natural feeling. Want to reassure parents that the learning environment is safe. That's why we implemented mask policy in July to get kids ready to wear on bus and in classes; enhanced cleaning.

Are you satisfied with approach in schools? Kids moving around, etc. McNeil: important to recognize that we have made changes: reduced movement in schools, enhanced cleaning, but will continue to watch. If changes are needed, we'll do that.

Any concerns about substitute teachers not wanting to go to certain schools? Strang: taken appropriate action, so there's no more risk in either of the two schools than any other school. McNeil: ongoing battle to maintain education system that kids perform best in.

Asked a public policy question, McNeil says his only focus is COVID right now, and future governments can manage public policy.

Should restaurants stop taking holiday bookings? Strang: They can go ahead, but we have gathering limits. Can't guarantee it won't change by December. As long as following requirements they can go ahead.

Requirement: Can't get together with groups of more than ten. Request: Please don't get together with different groups of ten. Keep it consistent.

Are we in the second wave? Increased numbers indicate beginning phases of second wave. Ultimate trajectory is up to us.

Plans for school exposure will vary depending on each case. Guidelines only. Epidemiology will help us decide.

Final thoughts from @StephenMcNeil - If you are part of naming and shaming campaign at schools, you are a bully. Let's show kindness and understanding instead. We should all be worried about community spread.

Hearing young people treating COVID like it can't kill. Look at other provinces. Everything we do impacts what COVID does. Follow protocols, we can stay safe.