Help convince virus skeptics: Legault
Premier François Legault says the province is not done fighting COVID-19 and has urged his party's youth wing to help convince skeptics that the pandemic is a serious threat.
One day after announcing he and his wife had tested negative for COVID -19 but that they would remain isolated for a week as a precaution, Legault addressed his youth wing 's annual convention — which was already a virtual event — sitting in the living room of his Outremont home.
“I want to reassure everyone,” Legault said in a video feed regarding his health. “I was very happy to confirm yesterday I was negative. On the other hand, I want to show a good example so I will stay home for another week as recommended by public health.
“You never know. As we saw in the CHSLDS (long term care residences), we can be negative and have no symptoms, as is my case now, but we are not taking any chances.
“I would not want to infect the incredible team I have around me so I will self-isolate for the next week.”
And he rapidly turned to the pandemic in Quebec, noting he's still on the job as the government deals with a second wave.
“We are not out of the woods yet,” Legault told the youth. “We have seen the number of cases increase in the last few weeks. It remains under control and the situation is much better than what we experienced in the spring.
“But the number of cases are up. Yes, many of them (new cases) are with the youth and they are less at risk, but be careful with your parents and grandparents. They are at risk. They are vulnerable.”
With Quebec reporting 462 new cases Sunday, Legault then made a pitch for the youth to do their part with those who refuse to take the pandemic seriously.
“Help me a bit to convince the skeptics,” Legault said.
Legault has expressed his displeasure with anti-mask protests and people who believe the pandemic is some kind of conspiracy. But he said trying to block such protests could galvanize the movement.
Legault also commented on the youth wing's policy proposals. A key recommendation emerging from their convention is to make Quebec carbon neutral by 2050. Legault remained vague on what he would do with the request.
“It's ambitious,” Legault said. “I am not saying no,” he said to a youth member who asked him the question.
He noted the government is already at work on a green economic plan for Quebec focused on more electric powered transportation, to be presented sometime this fall.
Asked about what more his government will do to protect and promote French, Legault noted his minister for the French language, Simon Jolin-barrette, is already working on a new plan to beef up the Charter of the French Language, to be tabled “soon.”
Stuck at home, Legault will be absent this week even with the legislature sitting. He will be replaced at any COVID-19 news conferences by deputy premier Geneviève Guilbault.
It has been the government's policy throughout the pandemic to never have Legault and Guilbault in the same room at the same time as a precaution.