With increasing evidence that the coronavirus Covid-19 is spreading globally, it is important that Manitoba have a clear plan to deal with a number of critical issues. Having a clear plan will reduce people's anxiety and allow people to better plan individually. So far the Pallister government either has not fully planned for Covid-19, or it has not released its plan. We put out a press release this morning calling for the release of such a clear plan by the province.
Manitoba Liberals: The Time for a
Coronavirus Plan is Now
WINNIPEG
– With new coronavirus cases emerging in South Korea, Italy and elsewhere
around the world, Manitoba Liberals say the Manitoba Government needs to show
they are ready with a plan to ensure Manitobans stay as safe as possible in the
likely case that the virus reaches Manitoba.
The
virus has been spreading around the world, with 82,000 cases and nearly 3,000
deaths. While it started in China, there have been recent outbreaks in South
Korea and Italy, where schools have been closed.
“We
don’t want to alarm anyone, but we do want to make sure the PCs actually have a
plan in place for places it could hit hard, especially First Nations and
Personal Care Homes. Telling people to wash their hands and to stock up on
groceries is not going to cut it.” said Dougald Lamont, Leader of the Manitoba
Liberal Party and MLA for St. Boniface.
Manitoba
Liberal Health Critic Dr. Jon Gerrard said the PCs need to have specific plans
in place for managing a coronavirus outbreak in Manitoba.
Manitoba
Liberals are calling on the PCs to release plans specifically to deal with:
- Protecting
and supporting northern communities, where people living in close quarters
could easily catch the virus
- Protecting
personal care homes, because seniors may be more susceptible to the disease
- Assisting
individuals on low incomes who face quarantine
- Being
prepared to crack down on price gouging and hoarding of supplies
- Ensuring
the Work of Government continues
- Setting
up a Central Command Centre that can coordinate food and other deliveries
Protecting
and Supporting Northern Communities
Manitoba
should introduce measures for screening people going to northern communities,
for dealing with the coronavirus if it arrives in a northern communities and
ensure prior consultation with northern leaders, with First Nation and Métis communities.
Protecting
and Ensuring Communications in Personal Care Homes
Special
procedures need to be in place to protect residents of personal care homes. The
mortality rate for coronavirus is 3.6% for those aged 60-69, 8% for ages
70-79, and 15% for those age 80 and over. This is much higher than the rates
for people aged 10 to 49 which are 0.2 to 0.4%.
Current
evidence suggests this higher mortality in older people is related, in part, to
many having underlying chronic diseases.
Planning
for personal care homes must include:
- A clear
description of measures to be taken in homes to reduce any likelihood of virus
transmission to residents
- Ensuring
open communications, such as internet video links between residents and their
families and friends, in the event that either the residents or the family and
friends are quarantined
Those
on Low Incomes
The
Federal Minister of Health has suggested that people have enough food in their
home so that, if necessary, can be self-quarantined for 14 days. This will be a
challenge for individuals and families on low incomes.
The
provincial government must have:
- A plan
to assure individuals on low incomes have enough nutritious food in their homes
to last 14 days in case of quarantine
- A plan
for housing those who are homeless to reduce any likelihood of the coronavirus
infecting individuals in such shelters
- A plan
for what to do in the event of a coronavirus infection in a homeless shelter
Be
Ready to Crack Down on Price-Gouging and Hoarding
There
may be people who will take advantage of an epidemic by hoarding and hiking up
prices on important goods or supplies – fuel, food, and medical. The government
should be prepared to intervene and prosecute.
Keep
Government and Business Running
The
government should be clear about how the legislature will keep running – not
just the Premier and Cabinet, including the possibility of video links to allow
MLAs to continue working.
A
Communications Command Centre
The
provincial government must be prepared to set up a Central Communications
Command Centre that can coordinate actions and provide advice to individuals
and to businesses in need.
Lamont
also said the PCs need to ensure there is enough “surge capacity” built into
the system so that there are not sudden shortages. “We’re concerned that with
the current government’s cuts, that it has undermined the health system’s
ability to deal with a surge in demand, and they need to show that’s not the
case,” said Lamont.
-30-
Media
Contact:
Colin Roy
Director of Communication
Manitoba Liberal Party
Colin Roy
Director of Communication
Manitoba Liberal Party
204-299-4947
Colin.roy@leg.gov.,mb.ca
Comments
Post a Comment