Barnes sorry for testing comments as NDP urges his removal
Local MLA Drew Barnes has apologized on social media for his comments that the COVID testing process in Alberta was unreliable, but opposition critics say he still needs to be removed from government caucus.
Barnes appeared in a video interview on Thursday night with the Western Standard online publication and stated he had heard Alberta testing procedures were up to 50 per cent unreliable and added the benefits of wearing a mask are debatable.
On Friday he released a statement saying that he “misstated” facts on the testing issue on Friday, at the same time as New Democrats held a press conference calling on Premier Jason Kenney to remove him.
NDP deputy leader Sarah Hoffman said Barnes “used his position to spread dangerous misinformation about Alberta’s COVID testing and the use of masks.
“These claims are false and it’s completely irresponsible.”
During the interview, Barnes says, “We’re hearing here that our test might be 50 per cent ineffective.”
According to his statement on Friday he was referring to a related issue, not the tests themselves.
“I am fully aware that PCR testing is effective,” he wrote. “Alberta’s ability to administer more PCR tests per capita than any other province is part of the reason why we’ve been able to bring stabilize our infection rate so significantly.”
NDP health critic David Shepherd says a statement about the validity of testing from a government member would lead some to question their results and potentially ignore isolation requirements, leading to further spread.
Barnes has been vocal about his belief that pandemic restrictions and guidelines should be considered on a regional basis. That’s grown since local case rates began to steadily decline in January.
In Medicine Hat, active cases sat at 21 on Friday, about one-sixth of the high point in late November when further restrictions were brought in and a provincewide mask mandate was imposed.
Kenney, who announced some restrictions would be lifted Feb. 8, didn’t address the issue during a press conference with limited access on Friday afternoon.
Kenney said he is worried about more contagious COVID-19 variants. Alberta has detected 31 cases of the COVID-19 variant from the United Kingdom and six of the variant from South Africa.
“If cases of COVID-19 surge again, if we start moving once again to exponential growth like we saw in November-December, and if somehow one of these new viral variants takes hold in our community and begins to spread at rates seen in other parts in the world, we will have to impose stronger restrictions again,” he said.
The United Conservative government brought in strict lockdown measures, closing non-essential businesses and schools, during the first wave of the pandemic last spring. In early December, as infections spiked to well over 1,000 a day, Kenney announced another lockdown.
Last week, hair salons were allowed to reopen and limits on funerals and outdoor gatherings were loosened.
Kenney said it’s regrettable to see recent reports of some people and businesses thumbing their noses at the current health restrictions. He said Friday’s announcement to ease some of those rules was driven by data.
Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the province’s chief medical health officer, said people still need to follow the rules that are in place and do their best to limit their contacts.
“We can further slow the spread of COVID19 and protect ourselves from the risk of variants by continuing to limit as many in-person interactions as possible in every facet of our day to day lives.”