Current restrictions nowhere you are?

[ronandannette]

Checking in here from Calgary - also confused and dismayed by several aspects of the recent announcements particularly the closure of test sites and (WTH) the idea of dropping mandatory quarantine for Covid-positive cases. Yesterday I wrote my MLA, Deena Hinshaw's office, the Minister of Health and the Premier. I encourage all Albertans here to do the same.

Having done this before on various matters I've always been impressed by receiving respectful and informative responses (not just generic forms) and I expect to hear back from most of them. In addition to registering my strong opposition to these changes I've asked SPECIFICALLY for information as to why - what's the rationale for these baffling decisions. I'll post again with whatever answers I get and boy, these better be good...

 

[lpoham]

Checking in here from Calgary - also confused and dismayed by several aspects of the recent announcements particularly the closure of test sites and (WTH) the idea of dropping mandatory quarantine for Covid-positive cases. Yesterday I wrote my MLA, Deena Hinshaw's office, the Minister of Health and the Premier. I encourage all Albertans here to do the same.

Having done this before on various matters I've always been impressed by receiving respectful and informative responses (not just generic forms) and I expect to hear back from most of them. In addition to registering my strong opposition to these changes I've asked SPECIFICALLY for information as to why - what's the rationale for these baffling decisions. I'll post again with whatever answers I get and boy, these better be good...

Good for you ronandennette. You've encouraged me to do the same. The more I think about the lack of guidance by this gov't the more angry I get. Their decisions are not science based and with no rationale provided (which I have come to expect over time but this takes the cake). I'm truly worried about the rest of the summer and fall. Now that numbers will not be provided, I'll have to assume the worst. I dearly hope that most Albertans feel the way we do and will mask up and be cautious. GRRRR. Anyway, enough ranting and will start my letter writing

 

[dvcdisney]

A few weeks ago, my family discussed an alternative to Disney...we have a cruise and dvc stay at WDW booked for Dec. Then there were news of rising cases. Now, apparently, Florida has the highest cases and they even beat their hospitalization record last year at the height of the pandemic.

We were discussing where we should go if we needed to stay in Canada. We planned on Banff/Edmonton/Calgary. Photos during the holiday season seems so inviting. We felt better about our alternative, then we heard the announcement recently from Alberta and our hearts sank.

It's not too bad in Ontario at this point, but we really want to take some time and vacation. We haven't left our area since March 2020 so we would like to go somewhere.

 

[ABCanada]

Their decisions are not science based and with no rationale provided (which I have come to expect over time but this takes the cake).

What support do you have for either of these statements?
Personally I have found Alberta's approach to be science based and logical as evidenced by their website.
I am pleased that Albertans are being treated as adults.
If you have not had the opportunity to review the full news release I suggest you do. Media headlines can often be misleading.
https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=7962654912AD7-EFD7-89F5-1AA4E31447E892D2
Alberta has taken many logical steps, I could list if you would like, prior to other areas.
Alberta has some higher risk situations, meat packing plants, etc., that have contributed to higher rates at various points but even taking some risks Alberta had lower death rates than many areas of Canada.
The situation has always been monitored, with requirements adjusted accordingly, and will continue to be although using techniques more appropriate for the higher vaccination rate.
Testing is still available
Variants are still monitored
Isolation is still 'strongly recommended' (I suspect the percentage isolating will be close to the same. Even with mandatory isolation it was clearly not always happening
Contract tracing will change to the 'carrier' notifying their contacts except in high risk situations where the contract tracers will
...

In addition they will be monitoring waste water (given the vaccination rate, likely a better indicator as vaccinated will likely have milder if any symptoms so likely not go for testing)

Who knows perhaps the relaxed rules will encourage a few more eligible people to get fully vaccinated and someone who is concerned that they may have COVID-19 but does not want to be mandated to isolate to get tested.

 

[lpoham]

What support do you have for either of these statements?
Personally I have found Alberta's approach to be science based and logical as evidenced by their website.
I am pleased that Albertans are being treated as adults.
If you have not had the opportunity to review the full news release I suggest you do. Media headlines can often be misleading.
https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=7962654912AD7-EFD7-89F5-1AA4E31447E892D2
Alberta has taken many logical steps, I could list if you would like, prior to other areas.
Alberta has some higher risk situations, meat packing plants, etc., that have contributed to higher rates at various points but even taking some risks Alberta had lower death rates than many areas of Canada.
The situation has always been monitored, with requirements adjusted accordingly, and will continue to be although using techniques more appropriate for the higher vaccination rate.
Testing is still available
Variants are still monitored
Isolation is still 'strongly recommended' (I suspect the percentage isolating will be close to the same. Even with mandatory isolation it was clearly not always happening
Contract tracing will change to the 'carrier' notifying their contacts except in high risk situations where the contract tracers will
...

In addition they will be monitoring waste water (given the vaccination rate, likely a better indicator as vaccinated will likely have milder if any symptoms so likely not go for testing)

Who knows perhaps the relaxed rules will encourage a few more eligible people to get fully vaccinated and someone who is concerned that they may have COVID-19 but does not want to be mandated to isolate to get tested.

As an RN working for AHS in Edmonton, I can assure you that I am privy to all the information listed above; in my work we are updated multiple times per day, plus weekly meetings. I do not wish to get into an argument regarding your statements but I would like to offer my rationale for my statements. I can say from first hand experience working in health care system since the beginning of the pandemic, plus daily briefings from our senior management, that the "recommendations" may not be effective going forward and a 4th wave is likely if things continue as they have been during the month of July. As a front line worker who has direct contact with this virus, I have had colleagues who are suffering long term effects from COVID illness, and another who passed from work acquired COVID in November. The mutations are fast and we don't know what the consequences will be from one variant to the next. I put my trust in the epidemiologists and physicians that I work with who provide us with the stats and information that we need to form opinions and guide our actions. At this time these colleagues are not in agreement with Hinshaw's recommendations.

My work day revolves around hope and trusting people to protect those around them. And it's not about me, it's about protecting those more vulnerable e.g. unvaccinated children, the elderly, teachers, service workers, immune compromised... Unfortunately, vaccines do not offer 100 percent protection. And it's unlikely that the vaccination rate will increase to herd status, as most of those who want to be vaccinated most likely already have been. I won't be commenting any further.

 

[ronandannette]

Good for you ronandennette. You've encouraged me to do the same. The more I think about the lack of guidance by this gov't the more angry I get. Their decisions are not science based and with no rationale provided (which I have come to expect over time but this takes the cake). I'm truly worried about the rest of the summer and fall. Now that numbers will not be provided, I'll have to assume the worst. I dearly hope that most Albertans feel the way we do and will mask up and be cautious. GRRRR. Anyway, enough ranting and will start my letter writing

One thing that has happened in the past is that the Kenney Government has changed course when enough ire is raised. I actually respect that so if they have the misguided notion that this path is one most of us want - let's tell them otherwise. Contact your own MLA or any Member of legislature or Ministry via email. Just google either the Member's name or the title of the office and you'll find it.

 

[ottawamom]

A few weeks ago, my family discussed an alternative to Disney...we have a cruise and dvc stay at WDW booked for Dec. Then there were news of rising cases. Now, apparently, Florida has the highest cases and they even beat their hospitalization record last year at the height of the pandemic.

We were discussing where we should go if we needed to stay in Canada. We planned on Banff/Edmonton/Calgary. Photos during the holiday season seems so inviting. We felt better about our alternative, then we heard the announcement recently from Alberta and our hearts sank.

It's not too bad in Ontario at this point, but we really want to take some time and vacation. We haven't left our area since March 2020 so we would like to go somewhere.

What about Mount Tremblant. All the beauty of the mountains and pretty much guaranteed to have snow (and skiing). Or Quebec City great snow and amazing city to see at Christmas.

 

[dvcdisney]

What about Mount Tremblant. All the beauty of the mountains and pretty much guaranteed to have snow (and skiing). Or Quebec City great snow and amazing city to see at Christmas.

Thank you! It is definitely one of our choices. We're just a bit concerned about the crowds during Christmas. But other than booking the hotels early, it would be easier to plan.

I guess we were just a little disappointed since we've never been to Banff...just wanted to do something new. But we can always go another time.

 

[saskdw]

I was just curious as to what restrictions are still in place where you are? NB just announced today that ALL restrictions are being dropped July 30th, and the state of emergency will be dropped. So no more masks, capacity restrictions, distancing, travel restrictions, isolation requirements (outside of federal requirements) etc...

How are things where you are?

Here in Saskatchewan all restrictions were lifted July 11th. State of emergency lifted.

There are less then 500 active cases in the entire province. Only about 40 people hospitalized for the entire province and only 11 in ICU.

80% of the active cases are in a section of the province in the north west corner where no one wants to get vaccinated. Outside of the area Covid is pretty much non existent in Sask.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

Here in Halifax on August 2, the HFX Wanderers Soccer Canadian Premier League team had it's first game back with 4000 spectators (6500 is a full house). They had everyone in pods of 250 throughout the various sections with their own washrooms, concessions, etc. The team president is saying once we hit Phase 5 in September, it will be 6500 full house at the games. I am going to the same on Saturday afternoon and I can't wait!

 

[2Lunds]

Manitoba: dropping nearly all capacity limits & mask mandate as of Aug 7. Allowing non-vaccinated in restaurants, theatres etc... Still require isolation for positive cases (public health orders are long, I doubt anyone here wants to read the whole thing for every province, so I'm paraphrasing and including highlights). Most frustrating part is that we brought in an expensive vaccine card system, including forcing businesses to invest in special readers, only to 90% scrap the program 6 weeks later. Worse still, there was a plastic shortage, and many people are STILL waiting for the cards that are mostly trash as of this weekend

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

I just read on CBC that Ontario will be bringing back masks for students this year, yet they are allowing high-contact sports indoors LOL I swear to god if NS brings back masks in schools, I will lose it.

 

[Kiley]

Manitoba, we still have a mask mandate, though I believe most, if not all businesses are now open to 50% capacity. There are some restrictions for people who are not fully vaccinated (we get QR codes once we are two weeks past our second dose for proof) such as eating in doors in restaurants if not from the same household, casinos and movie theaters.

I wish we had QR codes. A little more official looking than what we get.

 

[friedela]

Also from Alberta. Maybe I'm the minority here, but I am 100% happy and comfortable with the province's decision to lift all restrictions and end testing and isolation requirements. I am beyond thrilled that our kids won't be masked up in school in the Fall and that they can actually hug one another again without being reprimanded. The long term mental health impact of what lockdowns and isolation has done to society is hard to even comprehend. I suspect we will be dealing with the social, emotional, economical and financial repucussions for many, many years to come. Vaccination rates are extremely high. There will always be a new variant (viruses mutant constantly), and at some point I agree that we do need to learn how to live alongside Covid without extreme government measures. But I completely understand why people are hesitant/afraid/outranged. We have trusted the government to keep us safe for over a year and a half. Now that government is pulling back it's hard to know how to cope with normal again.

 

[Pumpkin1172]

So it seems Alberta will be keeping the testing and quarantining of positive cases. I will have to watch/read again to see if they mentioned anything about masking in schools. They did say they are watching the numbers in the US.

With the increasing numbers, I am glad that they are still going to be testing and positive cases will have to quarantine and contact tracing will still be happening as well. Now to see if they bring back masking as well.

 

[ronandannette]

So it seems Alberta will be keeping the testing and quarantining of positive cases. I will have to watch/read again to see if they mentioned anything about masking in schools. They did say they are watching the numbers in the US.

With the increasing numbers, I am glad that they are still going to be testing and positive cases will have to quarantine and contact tracing will still be happening as well. Now to see if they bring back masking as well.

Yes - although in fairness, when the easing of restrictions was announced a month ago it was with the provision that current conditions would dictate, and they have. Dr. Hinshaw gave a very long and extremely detailed explanation on Thursday of why the planned changes have been delayed - now for an additional 6 weeks. They may be delayed again at that time depending on how trends look once school resumes. And although US numbers are being watched, the actual modeling has been based on UK data and trends as our vaccination and restriction situation much more closely matches theirs.

I for one was NOT happy with the plan to ease all measures when it was announced but then again, IMO it was not explained properly - neither the goal or the rationale. The government has taken great effort to give better clarity and it does make sense if one is inclined to listen and learn. I'm very pleased to see they are also realistic and responsive to the on-going situation and can and do pivot as the circumstances require instead of just ramming through an agenda.

 

[Pumpkin1172]

I for one was NOT happy with the plan to ease all measures when it was announced but then again, IMO it was not explained properly - neither the goal or the rationale. The government has taken great effort to give better clarity and it does make sense if one is inclined to listen and learn. I'm very pleased to see they are also realistic and responsive to the on-going situation and can and do pivot as the circumstances require instead of just ramming through an agenda

I couldn't agree with you more. She has done a fantastic job to clarify. I am happy that there is still 6 weeks of testing and isolating for positive cases. She had said they would monitor and adjust when outbreaks happened...which is exactly what they are doing. It is very scary for some to think of a life, past all of this craziness, but at some point, we will all have to move forward in a world where covid exists.