PROVINCE MUST WEIGH VIRUS RISK IN NORTH

Saskatchewan is opening, but if residents want increased freedom, they must make sure they follow ongoing measures meant to protect our health and the fabric of our society.

If you think life has gone back to “normal,” you are mistaken. As the outbreak in the northern reaches of the province should remind us, Saskatchewan is not immune from the ravages of this virus.

We must take care, particularly, to protect those who are at risk due to long-standing socio-economic issues.

Quite appropriately, Saskatchewan residents can be grateful that we are not experiencing the extent of the outbreak seen in other parts in Canada, and in other countries like Italy and the United States. As the premier pointed out earlier this week, Saskatchewan had fewer layoffs than anywhere else in Canada. It also had the highest number of businesses, at 66 per cent, that had no layoffs at all.

We mourn the more than 4,400 people who have died in Canada, and we are grateful we have not lost more. Our hospitals are not overwhelmed. We, largely, have the supplies we need.

But we should not let down our guard. There is still a threat that could put us in the situation we see elsewhere. And the burst of cases — 19 new cases as of Thursday — in the north is clear proof of this.

The New York Times reports that African-american and Hispanic people are dying at twice the rate of the rest of the population in that city. This should act as a cautionary tale, and as a motivation to serve and protect more remote communities. Consider this quote from

(Cases) have slowed ... a few missteps could change that.

the U.S. Centres for Disease Control’s information about the special vulnerabilities of ethnic/ racial minorities when it comes to battling the virus: “Many members of racial and ethnic minorities live in neighbourhoods that are further from grocery stores and medical facilities, making it more difficult to receive care if sick and stock up on supplies that would allow them to stay home.”

Sound like a familiar situation? Our northern residents are in exactly this position. But don’t think of this as just a northern problem. Cases in the southern half of the province have slowed but a few missteps could change that. Asymptomatic carriers in Regina or Saskatoon who think the rules don’t apply to them could quickly lead to a situation like we see in La Loche.

As health officials have made clear, all of the precautions put in place by the public health order to promote social distancing are still in effect. Gatherings of more than 10 people are still prohibited. Non-essential travel is discouraged, and anyone who has travelled internationally must go into mandatory self isolation for 14 days. Importantly, travel to northern communities has been strictly curtailed.

As the warmer weather comes upon us, some sacrifice is still required. Those with northern cabins need to show patience in waiting to travel. Campers must understand that only half the usual spots will be available. Households need to continue to limit interactions to a small circle.

Just as residents were committed to staying home in the early days of the crisis, they must now carefully follow these instructions. The province as a whole — including the provincial government — must be ready to adjust reopening plans if the most vulnerable are paying a price.