That a duly elected government will act in the best interests of its citizens is the first hope of a

democracy.

As we enter the second holiday season since Covid emerged, it seems that all reason and accountability
has been abandoned by those in authority.

Our critical care services are failing. We will once again have to fly out ventilated patients to other
provinces. Meanwhile we cannibalize essential services to maintain ICU capacity.

Our fourth Health Minister since the onset of the pandemic continues this government’s legacy of denial
and downplaying of the absolute desperation in our hospitals and the impact of poorly vaccinated
communities. The vast majority of ICU Covid cases are unvaccinated.

Meanwhile wait times for surgeries, endoscopies and other essential diagnostic services grow to levels
unimaginable prior to this pandemic.

There is no acknowledgement of the preventable tragedies that will unfold. Thousands wait anxiously at
home, hoping that their aneurysm will not rupture before surgery, that their cancers will be diagnosed and
treated before they become terminal, or that their multiple sclerosis will be evaluated and treated before
they lose mobility and independence.

ICU nurses are in shorter supply because of burnout, resignations, and diminishing volunteerism. As a
consequence, ICU capacity can no longer be expanded to levels that we saw six months ago.

If poor access to vital health services is to continue, we can expect many more deaths than those caused
directly by Covid-19.

We need this government and its health authorities to refocus on two fundamental goals.

First, the government must take the following steps to reduce the rate of new cases:

1) Public health orders need to be strictly enforced, with fines and closures if necessary, including in
under-vaccinated communities.

2) Vaccination for school age children should be required if they are to continue to attend school in
person. Clear medical exemptions must be allowed.

3) Rapid Covid testing must be made widely available to schools and businesses as in most other
provinces.

4) Holiday gatherings should be restricted to family members only.

The second goal must be restoration of surgical and diagnostic services and clinic capacity in vital areas.
The essential steps required for this to occur are:

1) Federal assistance in the form of armed forces ICU health workers should be requested immediately to
maintain current ICU capacity.

2) Redeployed personnel must be returned return to their surgery, ambulatory care and diagnostic
services as soon as replacements are available.
It’s time for this government to stop fabricating spin, admit its failures and demonstrate actual concern for
its citizens.

That first hope of democracy can only be realized when an informed and reasoning public remains
vigilant and demands that those in power do their jobs.

Dr Dan Roberts