Thread by @Protect_BC

1 - The What?
This is not a drill. Stay home. BC public health policies have failed us. We need a government-organized lockdown. #ThisIsNotADrill #StayHomeRightNowForNow 🧵
1/14

2. Why are we calling for this?
It is with great sadness and frustration that we recommend a lockdown. This is what PoP BC has been working tirelessly to avoid. On our current trajectory, seen in this image, our healthcare system will collapse by early January.
2/14

We are looking at unprecedented case numbers and hospitalizations. So far, the data shows that Omicron is as severe as Delta. It is airborne, and it is far more transmissible. Our testing and tracing capacity will soon not be able to cope with the surge in case numbers.
3/14

IT DIDN’T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY.
4/14

This is the result of a series of public policy failures. We would not be in this place if public health adequately responded to this variant.
5/14

3. What do we need now?
PoP BC echoes the following UK Independent SAGE recommendations:
-outdoor mixing, retail and outdoor hospitality remain open
-indoor hospitality and entertainment are shut
-no indoor gatherings between households of any size (exceptions for bubbles)
6/14

-all close contacts of new cases must isolate for 10 days regardless of vax status
-continuation of the concerted effort to get as many people vaccinated (particularly younger age groups for whom uptake is low)
7/14

PoP also adds:
-accessible COVID benefits for individuals and businesses.
-places for people to quarantine and isolate when they don’t have homes or their homes don’t allow for isolation
8/14

Not all hope is lost!
9/14

PopBC’s messaging hasn’t changed; we have the tools to get ourselves out of this, and reopen safely, together.
10/14

11/14

4. What can I do to stay safer?

We cannot take our cues from the government right now.
12/14

Here’s how we can protect ourselves and each other in the absence of effective guidance:
-tell others about Omicron: it is much more transmissible than Delta and can make you just as sick
-identify and stay in your bubble
13/14

-if you have to meet others outside your bubble, wear an adequate, high quality mask such as N95 and if you can, do a rapid antigen test right beforehand. Continue to use as many layers of protection as possible, watch the video of Dr. Filiatrault on how to layer up.
13/14

#BCActNow #COVID19 #Omicron #ThisIsNotADrill #StayHomeRightNowForNow
End.

@PennyDaflos @cbcnewsbc @CBCOnTheCoast @CBCRadioCanada @CBCStephenQuinn @CHEK_News @npescod @moirawyton @richardzussman @brish_ti @CTVNews @GlobalBC @CKNW @VancouverSun @globeandmail @realreporter @ianjamesyoung70 @VictoriaNews @VaughnPalmer @SrushtiGangdev @Balzer_Jess