In the fourth year of this ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, no Canadian CMHO/PHO has yet acknowledged that SARS-CoV-2 is airborne and spreads like cigarette smoke.
As we struggle trying to make safe holiday plans with family again this year, I can't help but wonder about a parallel universe, where the early 2020 speech from leaders went like this:
"There is a strong chance SARS2 is airborne, like SARS1. Go about your business BUT PLEASE WEAR A MASK INDOORS, work from home, eat outdoors or near open windows & scale back large gatherings if possible ...
"Medical masks are plentiful, but not sufficient. We need to reserve the respirators we have for healthcare workers, as we work around the clock to increase Canadian N95 production. In meantime, please see this link on how to use a mask brace, which greatly increases protection.
In today’s press conference, I was upset to hear Dr Bonnie Henry misrepresent the seriousness of the pediatric flu and COVID situation. I am referring to the section of the press conference clipped here:
Below, I have provided the latest data from the national IMPACT network, showing record and climbing pediatric flu hospitalizations. There are reports that 3 children under the age of 10 died recently from complications of flu in BC.
"The precautionary principle states that the highest level of PPE should be used until such time as there is definitive proof that it is not required."
Of course, the #Omicron waves (yes, plural) were deadly in BC. Most of our pediatric hospitalizations and deaths occurred since this letter was written.😥
So, building on this study that @littleann4ever investigated (inc. noting Henry waived ethics on her own paper AGAIN), I decided to make a quick search of Google Scholar as well.
Buckle up. There's something rotten in the state of #bcpoli & Bonnie Henry's office... 🧵