Thread by @Tommy_Slick

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi says "things are bad", as he gives an update on the local response to COVID-19. Highlighting a need for personal responsibility and discipline. #yyc

Starts with a story about a friend who recently got a vaccine, but before it was fully effective they caught the virus. They have been in the ICU for six days.

He also has a friend in India who caught one of the variants, amid the horrendous outbreak over there.

But something to keep in mind: the infection rate in India is half of what is is Calgary. "It is absolutely critical for all of us to manage this with incredible vigour."

He now lambastes the "maskless idiots" who continue to hold protests. He knows it's "maddening."

Nenshi showing some slides about the cases (I'm dialed in on the phone and not watching this so I can't grab the screenshots at the moment.)

Nenshi says it's worse now than it ever has been before. Peaking above the second wave, and we're still going up.

"We're heading in the wrong direction."

Nenshi says the end is in sight, but we are not there yet. Vaccinations will increase and that is good news, but don't rush right now. "We've got this, we can do this ... we just need to be disciplined."

We're now hearing from Dep. Chief Chad Tawfik from the Calgary police to talk about enforcement.

He is anticipating another weekend of anti-mask protests, and is updating the public on the role of the police. Says it's not as simple as some think to just cut these out.

Tawfik says he is also frustrated with what is happening. Officers and their families are being targeted as well. "This is not okay," he says. But still, they show up to the protests to try and keep the peace and enforce what they can.

Some of these actions have been "nothing less than outrageous." He says they will continue to enforce the laws and attend the rallies. They are focusing on repeat offenders. Tawfik says it is a "systems approach", they need all parties -- including the public -- to help.

Tawfik notes that the numbers about COVID-19 are alarming, but not to everybody. The people doing the right thing are helping out, but it's hard to get the message across to everyone.

CEMA Chief Sue Henry speaking now. Reiterates that we have to work together to limit the spread of the virus. Behind the scenes they are working to maintain critical services, such as access to testing and vaccines.

The city is also working with the province to create a rapid testing site. They have allocated $10 million to help distribute vaccines. Mentioning the success of the Telus Convention Centre vaccination clinic as well.

There's also some positivity around the expansion of vaccinations in the province, to close out Phase 2. City will support this in any way possible. But while increased vaccinations are good, we cannot rely on this alone Henry says.

Henry says the restrictions can be very mentally and physically draining. But these restrictions are only in place because of the high case numbers.

I find this is the great irony of the "maskless idiots". If they stop being idiots they wouldn't have anything to complain about

Nenshi adds on, it's okay to be frustrated and sad. You can hate all the elected officials, but "that's just not relevant right now."

Fine, write an angry email, but just focus on doing what you can do to keep everyone healthy.

Questions now. @KevinCTV asking about parking tickets at the Telus Convention Centre for people who wanted vaccines.

Nenshi wasn't aware of this, must be because you have to register your plate when you sign in and then you get 90 free minutes.

Henry also responds, there were a number of tickets issued. Most for people who didn't start the parking session when they arrived. Encourages people to reach out and try to get the ticket rescinded.

Kevin follows up, the resolution process could involve going to court, why not make this easier?

Henry says it's a bit complicated, again supports the Calgary Parking Authority resolution process. Nenshi says it's an automated system as well, not roaming officers.

Nenshi will be in touch with CPA to ensure they're being generous and try to get these tickets rescinded.

.@jasonfherring asks if there's going to be targeted interventions to help hard-hit areas of the city, like the northeast.

Nenshi says in the past he would've supported a geographic approach, but right now "the whole city is a hot spot."

Testing delays are also an issue, Nenshi looking to help out on that front in any way possible. This is not just a northeast Calgary thing, other regions have similar infection rates. "The entire city is dark red." (Dark red is bad.)

.@LiveWire_DK asking about the protests, is there a sense of how much spread originates from them?

Nenshi says they don't know, but they are flagrantly breaking the laws and clearly making each other sick. Some of them coughing and saying it's just bronchitis. That's laughable.

Nenshi says they are "insurgents", and other people are being caught in the crossfire.

Followup, any work being done to close the areas to stop the protests?

Nenshi says he was having convos with the premier on what additional restrictions could involve. He reminds us that there's never been a lockdown, if there's a real lockdown that's a big step.

Nenshi says there's one specific law being ignored. You're allowed to be on a patio only with people in their own household. Clearly this isn't being followed, but also some people aren't aware of the rule. He says being outside isn't enough, continued exposure still causes cases

.@ByJamesKeller asks about possible further restrictions, do we need more measures in Calgary?

Nenshi says they are worried about cases not slowing down. Previous restrictions were "ineffectual" in his mind, and we are not seeing any significant reduction lately.

Nenshi says he isn't requesting a full lockdown, but it's clear what is in place right now is not working.

"Don't wait for the Alberta government to do the right thing," he says we need to do the right thing ourselves.

Followup, what should the province be doing right now?

Nenshi doesn't want to be evasive, he isn't in these high-level meetings though. He thinks the meetings are in good faith, but the reality is there's not a lot of moves left on the chess board. Something more must be done.

.@meksmith notes this is a bit of an unusual presser, (Mayor quips he feels like Professor Nenshi today), what is the message in sharing all this data and bad news?

Nenshi says he only has a message for citizens. "We can't get complacent," he says. "Things are really bad."

Followup, is there still a discussion around changing the bylaw to address protests so they cannot occur on the public land?

Nenshi says they do have to protect people using City Hall for legitimate purposes or working there. "We're in a pandemic and people are dying."

Dep. Chief Tawfik adds on, internally within CPS they are continuing to evaluate how they respond to this. Keep people safe while allowing free expression.

Nenshi closes this out. Yes, government decisions matter, but still this is up to everyone else. Need to make decisions filtered through a lens of public health and protecting others.

"Together we will continue to save lives."