`I'M DOING MY BEST': LEGAULT
Premier defends flip-flop on masks
Premier François Legault defended his flip-flop over outdoor masks, saying Thursday he thinks Quebecers understand the COVID -19 pandemic is a fluid situation and last-minute adjustments are necessary.
But he nevertheless warned Quebecers that while the chances of outdoor COVID-19 infections are low, they can still happen and people have to be careful. When two-metre distancing can't be respected, people should wear a mask.
“I think that Quebecers see that I'm doing my best,” Legault said at a news conference when asked if his change of mind could rattle public confidence in pandemic rules. “I've tried to explain correctly all the measures.
“When we need to make some adjustments, I'm doing them very fast. So I'm not perfect, like all Quebecers.”
Legault made the comments following his decision to soften the rules surrounding outdoor mask-wearing Wednesday. The loosened rules came after criticism from the confused public and opposition.
In a message on his Facebook page, Legault said he had asked that the outdoor mask order apply only in situations where it may be difficult to respect a two-metre distance.
“I think the majority of Quebecers understand,” a defensive Legault said Thursday. “It's a question of common sense. It's true there is less risk outdoors than indoors, but there are risks of catching COVID-19 outdoors.
“I want to tell Quebecers: If you are not certain, wear the mask. Be careful. The British variant is very contagious and thus easier to catch.”
The mask controversy is the latest in a string sparked by the government's decision to tighten up the pandemic rules. Quebec last week decided to roll the curfew in Montreal and Laval back to 8 p.m., which sparked several nights of protests and riots.
New rules making masks obligatory for everyone in the workplace were announced. And with almost no advance warning or explanation, masks became obligatory for people not in the same bubble while outdoors.
That meant two people playing golf or tennis would have to wear masks. The fact that couples who spend time together indoors would have to wear masks when they stepped outdoors sparked the most ridicule and anger.
Legault conceded the rules went too far.
“When we're playing golf or tennis, we are able to respect the two metres,” he said. “I am even told there are plastic dividers between passengers on golf carts. In short, when we are able to respect the two metres, we don't need to wear a mask.”
Legault defended his decision to announce a rethink on outdoor masks via Facebook: Wednesday being a cabinet meeting day, he said, he didn't have enough time to hold a news conference.
“The situation is changing quickly,” he said. “I think it's important to change, to adapt rapidly. I saw yesterday there was a need to clarify things on the issue of masks outdoors and I wanted to correct things quickly, so I started by using social media.
“Everyone is acting in good faith and using common sense.”
Legault also reacted to Liberal leader Dominique Anglade's accusation Wednesday that he is ignoring the spirit of Quebec's Public Health Act, which gives his government sweeping emergency powers during the pandemic.
Anglade said the government has renewed the decree 55 times since the start of the pandemic, not once explaining its actions to MNAS in the legislature.
Legault said the issue is a tempest in a teapot because governments all over the world are making use of similar powers in this exceptional situation.
“She is pushing a solution in search of a problem,” Legault said. “It's just debate for debate's sake.”
He insisted that despite opposition accusations of his government acting in secrecy, it is in fact “hyper transparent.”
Legault also responded to new reports about poor ventilation in schools, saying public health clearly states that opening windows is a better solution than air purifiers.
On Thursday, the opposition parties said they were happy the government saw the light and changed its view on outdoor masks.
“Some people have a hard time understanding where the government is going, and rightfully so, because they have not been explaining the decisions that they're making,” Anglade said.
“I think people are happy the government is backing off on this, because it does not make any sense.”