Thread by @SoniaFurstenau

For us to feel “we’re in this together” we need leadership that brings us together, shows respect & trust for people, & is willing to acknowledge mistakes are inevitable, but that they can be corrected. Humility, compassion, and empathy are needed right now. 1/ #bcpoli #COVID19BC

With rising case numbers and variants, and after yesterday’s press conference that left many feeling deeply frustrated. There are many actions @bcndp could take to build trust - but it largely comes down to transparency... 2/ #bcpoli #COVID19BC #bced

Share with the public all studies that are informing decisions made by the PHO and gov't. If there are studies being rejected, explain why. It’s not enough to tell the public what decisions are being made - show the evidence for making those decisions. 3/ #bcpoli #COVID19 #bced

Resume daily briefings, provide case numbers on weekends. Answer every question being asked by the press, allowing multiple follow ups. 4/ #bcpoli #COVID19BC

Respond with concise answers, not spin. It’s not enough to say “we’ve been clear.” When people are confused, keep explaining. Don’t dismiss strategies like #COVIDZero that have worked elsewhere, show the decision process, show the evidence, show the data. 5/ #bcpoli #COVID19BC

People have a lot of questions about why BC has been reluctant when it comes to masks in schools, increasing testing, and testing for asymptomatic cases. Don’t sidestep the questions. Show the data, research, & evidence. 6/ #bcpoli #COVID19BC #bced

Test more, test widely. In UK, health officials tested entire neighbourhoods when the B1117 variant emerged. Test whole schools (with swish test) in different regions & show us the data. At this point, it’s not enough to tell - gov’t needs to show. 7/ #bcpoli #COVID19BC #bced

Be responsive to people’s concerns, not dismissive. Many - including doctors and researchers - were raising the alarm in January and February about the potential for variants to drive case numbers up, and now we find ourselves in exactly this place. 8/ #bcpoli #COVID19BC #bced

Name-calling (“hysterical”) and scapegoating (“don’t blow this”) diminish trust. Recognize that people are both exhausted and anxious, and are looking for leadership right now. Show empathy, compassion, and understanding. 9/9 #bcpoli #COVID19BC #bced