Kenney Facebook live!
Q- You need to stop open and closing, you're hurting people's mental health?
A- Kenney says that's one of the reasons Alberta has treated restrictions as a last resort, unlike say Australia and NZ hard lockdowns.
Q- You need to stop open and closing, you're hurting people's mental health?
A- Kenney says that's one of the reasons Alberta has treated restrictions as a last resort, unlike say Australia and NZ hard lockdowns.
Kenney knows everyone wants predictability - which is why he erred on the side of caution this summer.
But he says the disease changes, so too does human behaviour.
Adds that 20% unvaxxed adults are the largest part of the hospital crunch.
But he says the disease changes, so too does human behaviour.
Adds that 20% unvaxxed adults are the largest part of the hospital crunch.
Q- Do you remember when you said vax passports were illegal?
A - He remembers, but he says he always said there could be exceptions.
Adds he sought legal advice from lawyers about this and they said there can be circumstances that justify a policy framework like this.
A - He remembers, but he says he always said there could be exceptions.
Adds he sought legal advice from lawyers about this and they said there can be circumstances that justify a policy framework like this.
Kenney says to those who oppose vax passport- what's the alternative?
Do you want to let the virus run wild until we can no longer offer health care to people?
Says gov has a legal and ethical obligation to take these steps.
Do you want to let the virus run wild until we can no longer offer health care to people?
Says gov has a legal and ethical obligation to take these steps.
Q - Your hospitals are not at full capacity!
A - Kenney says his information has 268 ICU patients (201 COVID).
There are 310 ICU beds available, but that's +140 more than normal because they've cancelled surgeries and taken other steps to make it happen.
A - Kenney says his information has 268 ICU patients (201 COVID).
There are 310 ICU beds available, but that's +140 more than normal because they've cancelled surgeries and taken other steps to make it happen.
Kenney says there are 6089 non-ICU beds of which 4913 (675 for COVID) are being used- which is 87%.
He adds it's only 87% because of delayed surgeries and moving older patients into home care.
He adds it's only 87% because of delayed surgeries and moving older patients into home care.
Q- Will you require vax passports for grocery stores?
A - Kenney says no, it only applies to discretionary events like bars, retail or concerts.
A - Kenney says no, it only applies to discretionary events like bars, retail or concerts.
Q - What are you planning to do for kids and schools?
A - Kenney says they added mandatory masking for grades 4 and up.
Elementary schools are adding class cohorting.
But no masking/distancing for physical activity or outdoor events.
A - Kenney says they added mandatory masking for grades 4 and up.
Elementary schools are adding class cohorting.
But no masking/distancing for physical activity or outdoor events.
Kenney says the COVID cabinet committee spent 11-12 hours over two days discussing these measures.
Says they considered the effects of restrictions on kids, while recognizing they are less likely to suffer severe outcomes.
Says they considered the effects of restrictions on kids, while recognizing they are less likely to suffer severe outcomes.
Q-There are more variants- how many times are we going under restrictions- how can we improve health care?
A- Kenney says that's true, just like the Spanish Flu mutated for years. Eventually, we developed immunity to it. This time, we have vaccines and antibodies.
A- Kenney says that's true, just like the Spanish Flu mutated for years. Eventually, we developed immunity to it. This time, we have vaccines and antibodies.
Kenney says every health care system in the world has been tested by this.
Points to Ontario, which he says had higher death rate and Manitoba, which sent patients to Alberta.
Says any HC system will have limits.
Points to Ontario, which he says had higher death rate and Manitoba, which sent patients to Alberta.
Says any HC system will have limits.
Kenney says we can manage COVID-19 ICU cases among the vaccinated given that it's a low number.
Says please for the love of God get vaccinated.
Says please for the love of God get vaccinated.
Q- Are we heading towards Aussie restrictions, is that a subtle warning?
A- No, Kenney says he was just using it as a comparison. Says if people get vaccinated, we can get through this.
Says this is up to 380k unvaccinated Albertans- they'll determine how many lives are lost
A- No, Kenney says he was just using it as a comparison. Says if people get vaccinated, we can get through this.
Says this is up to 380k unvaccinated Albertans- they'll determine how many lives are lost
Q- What do you say to people who say you're taking away their freedom?
A- Kenney says no democratic govt across the globe has used these types of tools before.
If there was a conspiracy, why wait until now?
Adds the numbers are real- we had 24 deaths yesterday, real people.
A- Kenney says no democratic govt across the globe has used these types of tools before.
If there was a conspiracy, why wait until now?
Adds the numbers are real- we had 24 deaths yesterday, real people.
Kenney says he has a hard time to understand people who don't understand the life and death reality we're facing.
He says his govt didn't want to bring back measures- but we have to face reality- day after day, hospital numbers are going up, many dying.
He says his govt didn't want to bring back measures- but we have to face reality- day after day, hospital numbers are going up, many dying.
Kenney says the 20% haven't taken the precautions to protect themselves or others.
Adds many aren't getting tested even if they're sick.
When they do get sick, many go to hospital only when it's too late.
Adds many aren't getting tested even if they're sick.
When they do get sick, many go to hospital only when it's too late.
Kenney says you can't maintain a free society without people acting responsibly.
To anti-vaxxers, says if you won't accept your social responsibility, will you at least consider self-preservation knowing that there might not be an hospital bed for you based on current trends.
To anti-vaxxers, says if you won't accept your social responsibility, will you at least consider self-preservation knowing that there might not be an hospital bed for you based on current trends.
Q - At what point will the Vax passport be done away with -are they indefinite?
Kenney says he doesn't know, so they are indefinite now.
Says virus is unpredictable, had previously tried to be optimistic because he felt it was needed.
Kenney says he doesn't know, so they are indefinite now.
Says virus is unpredictable, had previously tried to be optimistic because he felt it was needed.
Kenney says it's mainly up to the 20% of the unvaccinated.
If they don't step up, this thing will go on much longer than it needs to be.
Says the unvaxxed people are actually the ones who are prolonging the pandemic.
If they don't step up, this thing will go on much longer than it needs to be.
Says the unvaxxed people are actually the ones who are prolonging the pandemic.
Q- Will I be able to add vax card to my phone?
A- Kenney says you can print off record now.
On Sunday , you can print off a vax card.
Come as early as October 1st, you can grab an app that will offer a QR code.
A- Kenney says you can print off record now.
On Sunday , you can print off a vax card.
Come as early as October 1st, you can grab an app that will offer a QR code.
Q - You said 70-% was the goal, now you moved the goal posts!
A - Kenney admits that was the Open for Summer target- based on what they were seeing in the UK.
But says the disease and human behaviour is dynamic.
Says they now recognize vax demos were different than UK
A - Kenney admits that was the Open for Summer target- based on what they were seeing in the UK.
But says the disease and human behaviour is dynamic.
Says they now recognize vax demos were different than UK
Kenney again points to pattern of behaviour of the unvaccinated, saying many aren't staying home when sick, refusing to get tested and only showing up at ICU when it's too late for them
Q- will there be any recognition for natural antibodies?
A - Kenney says big studies show there's a very high level of protection from COVID with antibodies but it wanes over time.
Adds that the highest level protection is to have antibodies and vax, practically a superpower.
A - Kenney says big studies show there's a very high level of protection from COVID with antibodies but it wanes over time.
Adds that the highest level protection is to have antibodies and vax, practically a superpower.
Kenney says they will not expand program to include people with antibodies because they have to act now.
They can't wait weeks to develop a program to prove antibodies.
Says some countries are using proof of antibodies, will study it for the future.
They can't wait weeks to develop a program to prove antibodies.
Says some countries are using proof of antibodies, will study it for the future.
Q - I'm vaccinated why do I only get two indoor friends?
A- Kenney says this applies to him, too. But vaxxed singles can go to bars, concerts or other events.
Says chance is 15% of vaccinated peeps to catch COVID.
A- Kenney says this applies to him, too. But vaxxed singles can go to bars, concerts or other events.
Says chance is 15% of vaccinated peeps to catch COVID.
Q- When will the MyHealth app be able to handle more traffic?
Kenney says they hope it will be Sunday.
Says Telus has begun back-end improvements.
Should be able to handle higher volumes for vax card to be printed on Sunday
Kenney says they hope it will be Sunday.
Says Telus has begun back-end improvements.
Should be able to handle higher volumes for vax card to be printed on Sunday
Q- How can you support tens of thousands of people being fired?
A- Kenney says AHS has received 27 people have filed formal expressions of concern out of over 100k employees.
Adds a condition of employment to work at AHS is to be vaccinated for other diseases already
A- Kenney says AHS has received 27 people have filed formal expressions of concern out of over 100k employees.
Adds a condition of employment to work at AHS is to be vaccinated for other diseases already
Q- Why are schools open, seems like a virus-breeding ground?
A - Kenney says the science shows children are at a very low risk of severe outcomes.
Says more kids wind up in hospital with the flu and with COVID.
In 2019, 32 children died in car accidents- zero kids COVID deaths
A - Kenney says the science shows children are at a very low risk of severe outcomes.
Says more kids wind up in hospital with the flu and with COVID.
In 2019, 32 children died in car accidents- zero kids COVID deaths
Q- will you need proof of vaccination to vote?
A- Kenney says this is for discretionary things like nightclubs or gyms- voting is not discretionary, although masking and distancing will be required by Elections Canada.
A- Kenney says this is for discretionary things like nightclubs or gyms- voting is not discretionary, although masking and distancing will be required by Elections Canada.
Q- Israel is highly vaccinated but has high hospitalization rates?
A - Kenney says its actually high case rates and manageable hospital rates.
Says like Alberta, they have a higher rate of unvaccinated and have seen those people wind up in hospital.
A - Kenney says its actually high case rates and manageable hospital rates.
Says like Alberta, they have a higher rate of unvaccinated and have seen those people wind up in hospital.
But Kenney adds that Israel has managed to close the gap between cases and hospitalizations in recent weeks.
Kenney says they are following Israel's booster program.
Says they have done so here for the most vulnerable, and are actively studying data on whether or when to do so for elderly people living in the broader community.
Says they have done so here for the most vulnerable, and are actively studying data on whether or when to do so for elderly people living in the broader community.
Q- Is the AZ vaccine acceptable for the vax passport?
A- Kenney says yes, it's good for any Canadian province.
Adds he took it, and it's still being offered to people.
A- Kenney says yes, it's good for any Canadian province.
Adds he took it, and it's still being offered to people.
Q- Will you revoke passport after cases lower?
A- Kenney say yes, it's only in place to prevent a catastrophe in the health care system- but he doesn't know how long that will be
A- Kenney say yes, it's only in place to prevent a catastrophe in the health care system- but he doesn't know how long that will be
Vax passports work?
Kenney says they saw a small uptick with the $100 incentive.
But TODAY? Alberta was pushing 25k bookings today- that's up from 9k on Wednesday.
Kenney says they saw a small uptick with the $100 incentive.
But TODAY? Alberta was pushing 25k bookings today- that's up from 9k on Wednesday.
Q- When is the date you'll be evaluating to see if the measures are flattening the curve?
A- Kenney says they'll continue to monitor it, but if things don't improve, Alberta will have to consider even *more* measures.
Says it's up to the 20% unvaxxed to avoid that.
A- Kenney says they'll continue to monitor it, but if things don't improve, Alberta will have to consider even *more* measures.
Says it's up to the 20% unvaxxed to avoid that.
Q- What does 10pm liquor curfew have to do with COVID?
A - Kenney says young people are least vaxxed and most likely to socialize.
The later at night, the more they've had to drink, the more they are to not follow health measures.
A - Kenney says young people are least vaxxed and most likely to socialize.
The later at night, the more they've had to drink, the more they are to not follow health measures.
Q- My husband is a diabetic, worried it will cause him issues.
A- Kenney says diabetes is one of the major diseases that puts you at higher risk of severe outcomes if you catch COVID
Kenney says they had 1400 adverse outcomes of vax out of 2.9M people in Alberta, mostly minor
A- Kenney says diabetes is one of the major diseases that puts you at higher risk of severe outcomes if you catch COVID
Kenney says they had 1400 adverse outcomes of vax out of 2.9M people in Alberta, mostly minor
Q- Why aren't you increasing ICU and just making cuts?
A- Kenney says they are increasing ICU beds, believes they might be able to double the normal total (which is 173) with heroic efforts.
Says they are sparring no expense in growing capacity.
A- Kenney says they are increasing ICU beds, believes they might be able to double the normal total (which is 173) with heroic efforts.
Says they are sparring no expense in growing capacity.
Q- What happens when everyone is vaxxed + people are still dying?
A- Kenney says there will still be breakthrough infections.
But right now, we have only 20 vaxxed people in ICU- less than a normal flu season- so we can handle that.
But can't handle 200 unvaxxed ICU patients
A- Kenney says there will still be breakthrough infections.
But right now, we have only 20 vaxxed people in ICU- less than a normal flu season- so we can handle that.
But can't handle 200 unvaxxed ICU patients
Q- Is what you're doing constitutional?
A- Kenney says legal advice says it is, points to all the other provinces that have adopted this.
Says there is no enumerated constitutional right to go into a casino.
A- Kenney says legal advice says it is, points to all the other provinces that have adopted this.
Says there is no enumerated constitutional right to go into a casino.
Q- Will you please offer passports for those who have antibodies?
A- Kenney acknowledges the science of antibodies acquired in prior infection, but says to test that is complex, and have to move forward with vax passport now to deal with hospital capacity crush.
A- Kenney acknowledges the science of antibodies acquired in prior infection, but says to test that is complex, and have to move forward with vax passport now to deal with hospital capacity crush.
Kenney says he is sorry they had to come in with these measures, but said they had not choice- they have an ethical, moral and legal responsibility to do this.
Says where this goes is up to the 20% of unvaccinated Albertans - "You can put an end to this very quickly."
Says where this goes is up to the 20% of unvaccinated Albertans - "You can put an end to this very quickly."
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