Thread by @_scottreid

So, in anticipation let's try to put some structure to all of this. I recognize that there might be no alternative to these measures - that we've so failed to take proactive measures and the viral spread is so great that shutting society down might be the only option. #onpoli

https://twitter.com/robertbenzie/status/1477976361205739520

But what frustrates is the way in which the Ford government's approach is so consistently late, improvised and half-assed. Never acting in anticipation in order to mitigate, only responding in desperation with measures that may well be too overdue to achieve much good #onpoli

What's clearly lacking is a plan - and, just as importantly - the articulation of a plan. How are decisions being taken? What are the critical indicators that will guide future policy change? How will the impact on people and small biz be mitigated? No framework. Ever. #onpoli

So, even as we might be forced to accept the inevitability of these new measures - here are five questions the government should answer as the new policy is announced. First, what is objective(s) of these measures - and what is their likelihood of success? #onpoli

Are we just scrambling to blunt further spread in the hopes of bending down the hospitalization curve? If so, is it too late? Should we not have acted earlier? Does this mean the only key indicator by which we measure progress hospitalization rates? What else can help? #onpoli

Second, what is objective progress - and will that be shared publicly? Is there a rate of hospitalization or case counts (or other?) that we can be told is the measuring stick? The dividing line between continued restrictions or their removal? Tell us all the target. #onpoli

Third, if the measures work will restrictions be eased? Or will that merely risk reversing gains - and therefore the truth is that we must see evidence of sustained progress? If so, for how long? Again - just tell us the truth of it. And if you don't know, why don't you? #onpoli

Fourth, if the measures don't work will restrictions be eased - based on the logic that if we can't correct things we ought not to further harm families with school-aged children and struggling small biz. Seems counter-intuitive. But maybe things are already too far gone? #onpoli

Fifth, will there be supports for those affected most directly? For families having to online school their kids? For teachers who must be fried? For health care workers? For restaurants and bars? Feds have extended benefits but it's not enough. Provincial top-ups? #onpoli

It all basically comes down to laying out a more comprehensive detailing of what we're trying to achieve, what the objective measures of success/failure look like, what happens next and how impacts will be mitigated? Coming clean like this will be uncomfortable for Ford #onpoli

First, because it will diminish the government's discretion - forcing it to act according to transparent terms. Gov'ts like to give themselves wide grey zones to operate within. And second, because it may highlight how decisions untaken earlier have made things worse now #onpoli

But those considerations are only problematic for the gov't. So, tough shit. The fact remains if Ford is forced to impose these measures at this point, he owes the public a fully transparent plan of what we're doing, why we're doing it and where it is all headed. #onpoli