By Lyonel Doherty
Times-Chronicle
The province is assembling the troops against COVID-19 by hiring 500 additional health care professionals to increase contact tracing in B.C.
Premier John Horgan made the announcement today, flanked by Minister of Health Adrian Dix and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.
Horgan said the best way to keep people safe from COVID-19 is strong contact tracing.
He noted these “gumshoe” detectives will provide an extra layer of protection by jumping into action as soon as there is an outbreak.
Contact tracing works by following up with each person who has tested positive for COVID-19 to determine where they went and who they were in contact with.
These temporary positions starting in September will help prepare B.C. for a potential surge in COVID-19 cases this fall, said Dix.
Horgan said they expect many of these contact tracers will be retired nurses.
Dr. Henry said time is of the essence when there is a community outbreak, noting that contact tracing is how they prevent others from getting sick.
She reminded the public that anyone who is sick must self-isolate for 14 days, which is a public health order.
During question period, Horgan said the vast majority of people are listening to health officials but noted there are some people still flouting the rules and not using common sense (by attending private parties). That’s when the government will look hard at enforcement measures, he pointed out.
“We don’t want to do that,” Horgan said, adding the province has largely been successful avoiding a punitive approach.
When asked about making masks mandatory in B.C., Horgan said they don’t want people to believe that masks are their “invincibility shield.”
Dr. Henry said masks are becoming normalized in many communities, but she doesn’t believe in mandating them for fear that people will rely on them too much as a preventative measure.
“We know that physical distancing works and keeping your contacts small works.”
In fact, Henry said masks are the “last line of defence” against COVID-19.
In reaching out to the younger generation, Horgan called on Canadian actors Ryan Reynolds and Seth Rogen to use their influence to educate young people about the seriousness of the pandemic.
Horgan acknowledged parents’ anxiety about sending children back to school this fall. He expressed his apprehension too, but said they are being cautious by delaying the start to allow educators to better prepare for September 10, the day students head back to class.
