Thread by @shazmamithani

Thread time again - my thoughts on the current state of affairs in #ab

1. Elective surgeries being delayed to make capacity - remember that elective doesn't mean not needed. This includes CANCER surgeries and other serious surgeries that are scheduled (hence, "elective"). /1

2. It's been almost 1 week since the $100 vaccine incentive - the dial has barely moved. I don't think anyone is surprised.

3. Vaccines won't save us now (they'll hopefully save us later). If someone gets vaxxed today, it's a minimum of 6 wks until they are fully protected. /2

4. Hospital capacity affects every single Albertan who needs care. This is NOT a "pandemic of the unvaxxed," because when beds are tight, anyone needing acute care (for any reason) is affected. As above, it means cancelled surgeries for those who need them. /3

5. We need contact tracing back. School just started this week and we are already seeing reports of several cases (and outbreaks). Kids AND adults will have negative outcomes from school spread.

6. We need basic protective measures to stop the spread now (not weeks from now). /4

7. We need leadership to LISTEN to what frontline HCWs are experiencing. When we tell you it's the worst it's even been, we aren't fear mongering. It's getting worse. Leaders need to step up and make hard choices to do the right thing. Every severe outcome is preventable. /5

8. In the meantime, PLEASE keep yourselves safe. Just because you don't have to mask or avoid indoors, please do so. Mask, keep your bubbles small, get vaccinated. We need to keep our hospitals available for every Albertan who needs them. /6