ALDRICH: We need to know Manitoba’s plan for a return to normal
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In the cloud of darkness that is the third wave of this pandemic Manitobans need a lighthouse.
We are drowning in health orders, cases, depression, anxiety, debt and addictions. We need to know the path forward. We need to know that there is a legitimate end in sight at some point and how to get there.
Two weeks ago, Premier Brian Pallister said the province was working on modelling and information and that path to re-opening.
What was hoped for was something similar to what Saskatchewan has had for three weeks now — a clear chart that shows progress to herd immunity through the rollout of their vaccine program.
Instead, we did eventually get modelling, but it was about the health-care system being overwhelmed as they instituted even more health orders which have since been extended. The premier then followed up late last week discouraging people from talking about herd immunity, even though health officials continue to do so.
On Tuesday, we were given some information about the effectiveness of vaccinations by showcasing the numbers in hospital and ICU who have not been vaccinated while doubling down on encouraging people to get tested at even the slightest of symptoms. In the battle against hesitancy, this information is absolutely critical, but we need actual goals because no one in Manitoba knows what target they are shooting at.
Even Alberta, on Wednesday, was able to set out a multi-phase path to reopening based on vaccinations. At each stage more services come back online, including the third phase, which they ballpark at early July for when all Albertans 12-and-up are expected to hit 70% first dose vaccination. At this point, all remaining health restrictions will be lifted, including no restrictions on indoor or outdoor gatherings.
It is a similar plan to Saskatchewan’s.
In the U.S., where they have outpaced us on first doses and are eons ahead of us on second doses, they are opening the doors on stadiums, live music, restaurants and other gatherings. The Center for Disease Control said they could even ditch masks.
Manitoba is currently at 48.8% of all people receiving a first dose. We should have an idea what we are actually driving towards here. Is it 70% first shot, is it higher than that due to the variances, is there some combination that includes case counts, hospitalizations and test positivity?
It may seem tone-deaf to talk about reopening in the midst of a wave that is bringing in some of the highest case counts of the pandemic with ICUs overflowing and patients being flown to Ontario and potentially soon Saskatchewan and North Dakota.
But it is critical to understand the full picture. From a morale standpoint and to encourage compliance. It puts freedom in the window. We need that.
The business community also needs to have some idea of what reopening is going to look like so they can prepare, so they can plan and make the moves behind the scenes to be in a position to reopen and get the economy moving when it is safe to do so. Many of them have been shut down since the fall with no reprieve.
I understand we are on a need-to-know basis when it comes to pandemic information — though I think the public should be able to determine what they need to know.
I can tell you, we need this.
jaldrich@postmedia.com
Twitter: @JoshAldrich03
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