By Lyonel Doherty
While B.C. Premier John Horgan is urging people to stay home when they are sick, he admitted that he should have stayed home when he had a runny nose in the past.
During Wednesday’s news update, Horgan referred to the number of employees at United Poultry Co. in Vancouver who were working while sick, resulting in an outbreak of COVID-19.
He acknowledged that many employees worry about their finances and making ends meet when they stay home from work during an illness. But he stressed they shouldn’t be going to work, particularly during this global crisis.
However, he admitted going into the office when he had a runny nose and he “shouldn’t have.”
He said everyone has seen a sick co-worker show up to work when they should have been home in bed.
“We can’t have people putting others at risk for fear of economc consequences for themselves. That’s irresponsible.”
Horgan stated the government will have a look at the sick pay system to see what can be done to ease people’s stress about missing work and not getting paid.
He pointed out that the crisis will compel people to take a different approach now that they have an understanding of the consequences of COVID-19 and other viruses.
The premier said the government is now working on how the province phases into normalcy again.
“I’m optimistic, but I want to make sure that we don’t take comfort in the early successes we’ve had.”
That could mean further restrictions as the summer proceeds, he pointed out.
