B.C. defends mask mandate removal after human rights commissioner raises concerns
The B.C. government is defending its decision to lift the indoor mask mandate following concerns raised by the province’s human rights commissioner that the change disproportionately affects the most medically vulnerable.
In a letter sent to provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry on March 16, a week after the mandate was lifted, commissioner Kasari Govender called the decision “hasty.”
“I think we have moved too quickly,” Govender said in an interview with CTV News on Monday. “Requiring masks is really a minimal impairment, and we balance the hassle of wearing a mask against the serious life-and-death, or serious illness risks for those who are immune-compromised, and it just doesnt balance out. The balance is in favour of continuing the mask mandate.”
On Tuesday, Health Minister Adrian Dix said the decision was carefully considered.
“The guidance continues to be to wear a mask in indoor spaces. It’s just changed in an important way. It’s not the law. It’s not a legal requirement under a provincial health order now,” Dix said. “The vulnerability of people, I think, is central in our focus on all matters, including this one.”
Jeremy Franta of Ladner said he was “incredibly surprised” when the mandate was lifted.
“It’s astounding to me the carelessness of the thought process in all of this,” he said. “There’s a huge percentage of this province that’s been left to fend for ourselves.”
The 50-year-old father is undergoing chemotherapy for multiple myeloma, and said these days just going to the store has him calculating the risk.
“I’m looking at masks. I’m listening for coughs,” he said. “Half the time I have to leave, because I’m terrified I’m literally risking my life to go into a common store.”
Without a mask mandate in schools, Vancouver resident Chantal Moore’s 10-year-old, who has asthma, has so far stayed home.
“I don’t believe that it’s too much of a burden to ask people to wear a mask,” she said, and added the lack of a requirement has led to increased concerns about going out. “When I go to the grocery store, am I going to bring this home to my daughter? Am I going to bring COVID home to my son, who’s a toddler and unable to be vaccinated?”
Moore would like to see a mandate reinstated for essential public places, such as transit, schools, and grocery stores.
“Places where people with health conditions have no choice but to visit,” she said. “I would ask (people) to have more of a community mindset, to think about others. Just a small gesture you can do every day to keep those around you safe.”
Franta would also like to see the mandate return.
“I do believe that lots of people care. It just doesn’t seem at times we’re thought of,” he said. “Do it for the elderly person down the street. Do it for your neighbour. Do it for others.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.'s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease's progression.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
B.C. man fighting for refund after finding someone living at Whistler vacation rental
Edwin Mostered spent thousands of dollars booking a vacation home in Whistler, B.C., for a group skiing trip earlier this year – or so he thought.
Avs forward Valeri Nichushkin suspended at least six months
Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months without pay and placed in Stage 3 of the league's player assistance program.
Collapsed Baltimore bridge span comes down with a boom after crews set off chain of explosives
Crews conducted a controlled demolition Monday to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Mortgage companies could intensify the next recession, U.S. officials warn
U.S. officials worry the next recession could be intensified by a cascading series of failures in the mortgage industry caused by crashing home prices, frozen financial markets and soaring delinquencies.