This mantra from @PremierScottMoe about "lives vs livelihoods" is such a false dichotomy. It's upsetting to me because it completely shuts down the option of time-limited financial support for business owners and employees to temporarily shut down so we can quash this curve.
1/4
"Livelihoods" are only at risk if we refuse to help people when they are in need. Instead of forcing businesses to remain open when it's unsafe to do so, we could be providing rental and wage subsidies. Is this expensive? Maybe. You know what is also expensive?
2/4
ICU beds, HCW overtime, lost productivity due to waiting for canceled procedures, **lost productivity because you died a premature death due to COVID.** I haven't even touched on the emotional costs of illness, isolation, and the loss of dear loved ones. We need to
3/4
stop accepting this as an excuse for inaction and acceptance of the status quo. Of the worst case rate and 2nd highest death rate in the country.
'Lives vs Livelihoods' is intentionally adversarial; it frames the problem as a debate where only one side wins. We can do better.
4/4
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I spoke with @SLangeneggerCBC on the radio this morning about the psychology of pandemic rules and some of the reasons why we may be seeing more apathy from some of our partners on this large-scale group project where we all need to do our part. 🧵:
Rules need to be consistent and simple. Most want to do their part but we need to make rules easy to understand. I’m often asked what the various restrictions are for indoor vs outdoor vs restaurants gatherings, how long do you need to self isolate with a negative test? Etc.
Support people to do the right thing. Paid sick leave and other safety nets are crucial. If you’re in isolation, do you have a way to get groceries? Public health checking in on people in quarantine every day is great for mental health but also for enforcement. Speaking of which,
From @MMandryk: “As Moe watches malls and box stores crowded with Christmas shoppers and sees daily case COVID-19 cases and deaths rise, surely he understands now is not the time to send signals we can be lax?”
The premier has seen the same modelling numbers the physicians did at our provincial town hall last week (this is now available on the SHA website). He knows what the forecast shows in terms of our hospital capacity - even *with* our current level of restrictions.
2/5
This graph shows that the high end of the estimates for hospitalizations - **assuming current public health orders stay in place and aren’t loosened** - will reach 50% OF ALL BED CAPACITY by February.
I've been asked to do a post on how to manage anxiety and other mental health symptoms that may be popping up or exacerbated by the #pandemic. As a psychiatrist I can't help manage ventilators or relieve our tired ER physicians so hopefully this is a small way I can be helpful:
1. News and social media can be a vital source of information updates but there's a fine line between being informed and getting overwhelmed by (mis)information. Bombarding yourself like that is a surefire way to worsen anxiety; try to unplug and disconnect for a few hours a day
2. Exercise is a powerful stress buster and mood booster - it literally grows new brain cells! Your gym may be closed so get creative about other ways to move your body. Find some exercises on YouTube or dig out an old workout DVD.