BC's Liberal health critic asks what is triggering a return to mask mandates in Central Okanagan

Photo: Contributed

Kelowna-Mission MLA Renee Merrifield wants to know what standards British Columbians are being held to in the fight against COVID-19.

In a tweet following the reintroduction of mask mandates across the Central Okanagan, the Liberal health critic wondered where the goal posts are.

"The key line to keep an eye on is hospitalizations. COVID isn't going anywhere - cases will rise & fall. As we've vaccinated the vulnerable, hospitalizations decreased. Fewer in ICU. That was the goal of the early PHO measures. Seems the goal posts have now moved," she tweeted.

Contacted for clarification by Castanet News, Merrifield said she is not questioning the decision after it was discovered 240 positive cases have surfaced in the Central Okanagan over the past seven days, but rather what the guidelines for such a move are.

"It used to be that the guidelines were being made to keep people from hospitalizations and deaths, and this seems different than that," said Merrifield.

"I think British Columbians and Okanagians need to know what we are being held to. I think the rationalization is a change, so I am asking what triggers those rationalizations."

Merrifield says communities want to know what the guidelines are so they can take the steps necessary to avoid these additional restrictions.

"I know that we often see a lag between case counts and hospitalizations. I'm going to be watching that closely.

"One of the indicators of the end of the pandemic is when there is a decoupling of case counts and hospitalizations and deaths. The hope is what we are doing with vaccinations allows us that."

She says it is heartening to see hospitalizations and deaths have not increased.

Kelowna's mayor, meanwhile, says the new mask mandate is disappointing and a huge concern.

He thanked those who have heeded medical advice and received their vaccination, saying it's unfortunate the minority are disappointing the majority.

"What you are doing by not getting vaccinated is not only putting people's health in jeopardy, but you continue to impact someone's ability to make a living," said Basran.

"I can't think of any other scenario where somebody would impact someone's health, impact their ability to earn a living, where we would just accept that.

"In my opinion, it's unacceptable that somebody is choosing not to get vaccinated unless there is a legitimate health reason not to."

Basran says he likes what France has done in making vaccination passports, or a negative test a requirement for people if they want to go to a restaurant, cafe, bar or movie theatres.

While not specifically endorsing the same for B.C. or Canada, Basran says he applauds the move.

"I applaud them for taking such a strong stance. I applaud them for trying."