With the backdrop of a third-wave surge in COVID-19 transmissions, Premier John HorganB次元官网网址檚 pointed message to young British Columbians this week is attracting mixed reviews B次元官网网址� including condemnation from the BC Green Party leader.
On Monday (March 29), provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced a ban on indoor dining, indoor fitness services and indoor worship until April 19. The sweeping restrictions B次元官网网址� dubbed a B次元官网网址渃ircuit breaker B次元官网网址� no doubt put a damper on anyone who was hoping B.C. would soon see an easing to gathering rules ahead of summer.
According to BC Centre for Disease Control data, many of the latest infections have been in those aged 20 to 39. As of March 29, 40,172 people in these age cohorts have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. There have been 98,195 total confirmed cases in B.C.
Horgan said during the news conference that while he knows that many who tune in regularly to see Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix are following the rules, younger British Columbians are not paying much attention and B次元官网网址渜uite frankly are putting the rest of us in a challenging situation.B次元官网网址�
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Horgan called on those 20 to 39 years old to curtail their social activity.
B次元官网网址淢y appeal to you is do not blow this for the rest of us,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淒o not blow this for your parents and your neighbours and others who have been working really, really hard, making significant sacrifices so that we can have good outcomes for everybody.B次元官网网址�
The stern directive drew immediate response.
In a series of tweets, Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau called on the NDP government to review the reasons behind the higher case count and help B次元官网网址渏ust like we did for seniors.B次元官网网址�
& yes, some are gathering w/ friends in unsafe settings. That is not OK. But maybe we can help them with that too - clearer comms that actually reach them, support w/ mental health care, affordable higher education & employment opportunities that give them hope for the future. 3/
B次元官网网址� Sonia Furstenau (@SoniaFurstenau)
She pointed to reasons such as the B次元官网网址減recarious, low-paid, public-facing workB次元官网网址� young people canB次元官网网址檛 afford to miss amid the pandemicB次元官网网址檚 impact on the economy, as well as relying on public transit, caring for relatives and minimal affordable housing options forcing them to have multiple roommates.
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She also argued that clearer communication B次元官网网址渢hat actually reach themB次元官网网址� and mental health supports could offer support to those who are unsafely gathering with friends when they shouldnB次元官网网址檛 be.
B次元官网网址淵oung people have lost so much this year,B次元官网网址� she said.
B次元官网网址淚 canB次元官网网址檛 imagine how the isolation, loss of income, and cancelled life plans would have impacted my mental health at that age. And they are last in line for the vaccine. We owe it to them to create policies that will help them succeed.B次元官网网址�
ashley.wadhwani@bpdigital.ca
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