MLAs express frustration over COVID rules on behalf of constituents
Local MLAs say they’ve heard anger, disappointment and frustration from constituents about a fraction of COVID restrictions being lifted under phase two announced Monday.
“I wonder why the government set out guidelines and some hope for Albertans, then chose to ignore this and change the policy. The anger and disappointment is very strong ,” said Drew Barnes, MLA for CypressMedicine Hat.
“I am hearing ... loud and clear; the frustration from yesterday’s announcement is palpable,” said Michaela Glasgo, MLA for Brooks-Medicine Hat.
“People have sacrificed a lot
... partially lifted restrictions are quite frustrating.”
On Jan. 29, Premier Jason Kenney announced a series of benchmarks, based mainly on hospitalization rates, for lifting restrictions in four phases. At that stage hospitalizations were below 600.
“To tell small business owners that they may be shut indefinitely, to give them no path or sense of hope, leads to even greater despair,” said Kenney on Jan. 29. “We have to give, I think a measured path that is safe but also presents a sense of hope.”
The first phase began on Feb. 8 with certain restrictions lifted for restaurants.
The province said phase two would begin when Alberta had reached 450 cases of hospitalization, but a minimum of three weeks after Feb. 8. Phase two was to change the rules for retail businesses, community halls, hotels, banquet halls and conference centres. If hospitalization dropped below 300, plus three weeks after launching phase two, the lifting of restrictions in phase three would ease limits on casinos, museums, movie theatres, churches and adult sports.
On March 1, three weeks had passed and hospitalizations had dropped to 257. They are currently at 261.
Kenney suggested case numbers were starting to plateau but that the danger of COVID-19 variants meant certain planned changes had to be put on hold.
Glasgo says she is hearing about the “inconsistency” of government and “moving goalposts” now. She was impressed with the original announcement which she says was precise and reasonable.
“Unfortunately it seems that another approach has been taken,” said Glasgo.
She says constituents “want to stay the course on the original plan.”
Both Glasgo and Barnes have been advocating for regional restrictions.
“A less restrictive regional approach is essential because, the fact is, our mental health and economic crisis is as great as the COVID crisis in southeast Alberta,” said Barnes.
In a story in the News on Tuesday, Mayor Ted Clugston suggested that a group of doctors, which had urged the province not to lift restrictions yet, should give half their salary to a business owner or a restaurant owner.
“When you demand people lose their livelihoods you better be willing to give us some of yours,” Clugston said.
Barnes says he’s been giving 20 per cent of his MLA salary to charities. The last two went to Community Foundation/Salvation Army, and the SE Alberta United Way. This month’s is going to the Miracle Network.
On Feb. 8 there were 5,831 active cases in Alberta, with 2,335 in the Calgary zone, 1,748 in the Edmonton zone, 656 in the Central, 325 in the South and 758 in the North. There were 427 hospitalizations at the time.
As of Tuesday, there were 4,631 active cases in Alberta, with 1,560 in Calgary, 1,030 in Edmonton, 636 in the Central zone, 333 in the South and 1,061 in the North zone. There are 261 hospitalizations.
The were 96 total cases of the more contagious COVID variant strains on Feb. 8. That number was at 492 on Tuesday, an increase of 35 over 24 hours.