“Needlessly confusing”; Notley weighs in on health restrictions, hospital capacity, and the UCP

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Notley says the most devastating part of these hospital admission increases is important surgeries like organ donations and tumor removals being delayed or canceled.

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“Those people are loved and part of families of people who are both vaccinated and unvaccinated. As Albertans, what we need to do is come together and think about those people who desperately need our healthcare system to be there for them. Who are waiting, who are nervous, and who are anxious. And think about what we can do to come together for their sake.”

Notley says the COVID-19 pandemic is not about following the government’s plan anymore, but about thinking of those who are relying on the healthcare system for potentially life-saving treatment. The NDP leader says that means following the restrictions now put in place, and getting fully vaccinated.

She further points out, the UCP should be reaching out to the federal government and neighboring provinces for help, something she’s surprised they have yet to do.

“That call should not be delayed because of politics, because of the federal election, because of concerns of how that will impact that campaign. The people who should be front and center in the minds of this UCP cabinet, are the Albertans who need the care who can’t get it right now.”

Commenting about the latest restrictions, Notley says while they could be enough to help control the rise in hospital admissions, she also says they are “needlessly confusing”. She says her party has already heard from hundreds of Albertans who are frustrated and confused by the rules, and are not sure which businesses are open and what rules you have to follow while you’re there.

“I can’t tell if they are confusing because it was done so quickly that nobody figured out how to write it down, or if they are confusing on purpose so they can still try to claim to their extremist base that they’re not doing vaccine passports.”

Notley calls on the UCP leadership to come out and help clarify the latest restrictions, while immediately providing more supports for businesses who’ll suffer financial losses due to the restrictions.

Although another COVID-19 update from the government is scheduled for Thursday afternoon, only Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw and Alberta Health Services President Dr. Verna Yiu will be in attendance, not the premier or Health Minister Tyler Shandro.

Notley says there appears to be a “troubling” pattern with this government “ducking responsibility, and ducking accountability.”

“Because we have declared a state of emergency I would expect our political leaders, the people who made the decision, to be up and available on a regular basis. I think Albertans have questions for the Minister of Advanced Education, the Minister of Education, and of course there are many questions still for the Minister of Health and the Premier, and I would expect all four of them to be part of regular briefings.”