Thread by @awong37

Our pandemic response in #SK is completely broken.

❌ Lowest vaccine uptake in 🇨🇦
❌ Zero restrictions
❌ Overrun testing/contact tracing capacity
❌ Critical care capacity nearly maxed out

Our 4th wave has just begun. We're in BIG trouble.

🧵 👇

1/ #COVID19SK

To begin, #SK has the lowest vaccine uptake in Canada.

Despite similar political / geographical considerations as #MB, we're 8% behind in 1st doses, 12% behind in 2nd doses.

The only real difference b/w the 2 provinces? A functional vaccine certificate program.

2/ #COVID19SK

On July 11, we were the 1st place in NORTH AMERICA to remove all public health restrictions, including mandatory isolation for COVID+ persons.

#SK has no province-wide mask mandate. Schools are inconsistently masked.

cbc.ca/news/canada/sa…

3/ #COVID19SK

Testing capacity in central/northern #SK, including Saskatoon / Prince Albert, is overwhelmed. People are waiting hours.

Many will soon need to line up to access testing for non-essential activities (e.g. attending @sskroughriders games).

4/ #COVID19SK

https://twitter.com/saraschatz07/status/1433842605339648006

Contact tracing capacity is overwhelmed with the surge in cases. Earlier today, @SaskHealth indicated that COVID+ persons would be notified quickly but would now be asked to notify all their close contacts due to staffing shortages.

5/ #COVID19SK

https://twitter.com/SaskHealth/status/1433869175542386689

Meanwhile, we've just begun our 4th wave.

With zero mitigation measures (masking, distancing, gathering restrictions) & poor vaccine uptake, our curve is projected to grow exponentially faster than any jurisdiction in Canada.

6/ #COVID19SK

Saskatchewan critical care capacity is already close to maxed out. Earlier this week, multiple referral centers in Saskatoon, North Battleford, and Prince Albert were all on ICU bypass.

7/ #COVID19SK

cbc.ca/news/canada/sa…

After 18+ months of the pandemic, our dedicated HCWs responsible for the sickest people in ERs, ICUs, and hospitals across #SK cannot keep giving more.

Even if we can make more space for people, there won't be anyone to look after them.

8/ #COVID19SK

cbc.ca/news/canada/sa…

Oh, we JUST set a yearly record for daily cases today at 418.

We're going into the long weekend where people will be gathering, partying, etc.

Mosaic Stadium is going to be packed with 33,000+ people for the Labour Day Classic Sunday.

9/ #COVID19SK

https://twitter.com/SKGov/status/1433875822486507524

Meanwhile, the narrative continues to be that vaccines are our way out of this, everyone needs to roll up their sleeves, and the unvaccinated are to blame for "everything".

Encouragement won't change our reality now. Only policy will.

10/ #COVID19SK

https://twitter.com/PremierScottMoe/status/1433875377500262400

In summary, to be blunt, #SK is one giant cluster f*** w/ respect to our (non) response to the 4th wave thus far.

We've done, literally, worse at EVERYTHING than EVERYONE in Canada. Vaccines, restrictions, masks, certificates, you name it. We're at the rear.

11/ #COVID19SK

It's not too late to change course. If we don't, there will be so much unnecessary suffering & death I can't even really fathom what it will be like.

If we pivot quickly, it will be less horrible. Masks, certificates, restrictions. All of it.

12/ #COVID19SK

I love #SK & its people. It's my responsibility to look after every citizen if they need help, no matter the circumstances.

This responsibility, to me, also means advocating in every possible way to prevent unnecessary suffering & death for all #SK citizens.

13/ #COVID19SK

As we stared down our 3rd wave, I asked for #SK to unite against COVID-19.

Now, as we face our 4th wave, let's remember our provincial motto: Multis e gentibus vires (From Many Peoples Strength).

We ARE stronger together, #SK.

Be safe.

end/ #COVID19SK

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