One cannot imagine implementing a public health approach to tackling COVID-19 worst than that taken by the province of Alberta under its Premier, Jason Kenny. As of April 1, 2021, Alberta’s population was almost 4.5 million people. However, in May, Alberta had over 23,600 active COVID-19 cases — the highest rate of infection in Canada. Nevertheless, the province permitted the Calgary Stampede to proceed in July with thousands in attendance and relatively minimal restrictions. Albertans today continue to be among the least vaccinated in Canada, particularly in its rural regions. Back in June, Premier Kenny announced that the province had reached the vaccination threshold for the third and final phase of reopening, because 70.2 percent of Albertans 12 and over had received at least one dose of a vaccine. Alberta had already reopened most of its community and business activities, although at reduced capacity. It was also announced that there would be no more bans on indoor social gatherings; no more limits for gyms, sports and fitness activities; no more capacity limits at restaurants, in retail or for places of worship; and no more advisories against non-essential travel.
Today, a group of the province’s physicians declared that Alberta’s health-care system is on the verge of collapse. The group is pleading with the government to strengthen public health measures to fend off a relentless fourth wave of COVID-19. Alberta Health Services noted that there were 258 intensive care beds in the province, which includes 85 added spaces. It said ICU capacity sat at 87 percent — just slightly below a seven-day average of 91 percent. Recently, Dr. Verna Yiu, the president and CEO of Alberta Health Services, indicated that intensive care beds are 130 percent over capacity, and critically ill patients are being directed to overflow wards. Almost 90 percent of the COVID patients in ICUs are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated. The province has even talked about requesting federal military help and whether other larger provinces could take some of those patients currently requiring ICU care.
Premier Kenny has now publicly apologized to Albertans for his government’s failure to protect them through its public health policies. The government has had to reinstate an indoor mask mandate for public spaces and an alcohol sales curfew at 10 p.m. It also announced a $100 incentive for unvaccinated Albertans who get their vaccine shots. Could be too little, too late! In the meantime, there are no signs COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are slowing in the province. There was an unfortunate belief that, even with its low vaccination rates and more open economy, some Albertans would develop personal immunity by being exposed to COVID-19, similar in approach to the failed policies implemented by Sweden. However, along came the more contagious and deadly Delta variant, causing the hospital system to become overburdened and increased burnout among health-care professionals.
Nevertheless, Alberta continues to act as if the pandemic is over. An example is the fact that its two professional hockey teams, the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers, are being allowed to open the 2021-22 NHL season with 100% fan capacity for games. Other jurisdictions such as Ontario are only permitting 50% capacity for hockey arenas, while the arenas are requiring proof of full vaccination for entry. In light of COVID-related hospitalizations and deaths, critical care and infectious disease doctors across Alberta are calling on the province’s two NHL teams to drop their plans of playing in front of full-capacity crowds. They warn that having full hockey arenas will lead to the further spread of COVID-19, worsening an already “dire” situation.
Previously, Premier Kenney had staunchly refused to mandate proof of vaccination for anyone who wants to use non-essential services such as restaurants, clubs and sports events. All that changed with the current deteriorating health situation in the province. Alberta is now planning to introduce a “proof of vaccination” passport for such businesses similar to that being implemented in other provinces such as Quebec, British Columbia and Ontario. All-in-all, one has to ask if attending a sports event is more important than preventing the further spread of COVID-19? What an absurd question to ask at this time! Just ask Albertans.
FROLITICKS 
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