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A group of Saskatchewan doctors believes the province is currently losing the fight against COVID-19.
280 physicians penned a letter to Premier Scott Moe, Dr. Saqib Shahab and Health Minister Paul Merriman encouraging stronger measures to cut back the spread of the virus.
“If more is not done to change our course we are confident that winter will bring overflowing hospitals, canceled surgeries, overwhelmed healthcare providers, and needless deaths,” the letter reads.
It points to the recent upswing in case numbers. Over the past month, active cases have increased from 161 to 1,305. There have also been record numbers of daily increases.
“It is becoming increasingly clear to us, physicians from across Saskatchewan, that we are losing the battle against this virus,” it continued.
The doctors suggested looking to pandemic response models from places like the Maritimes, New Zealand, Australia and South Korea for examples of successfully slowing the spread.
They did not make any specific request for more restrictions, but rather asked the government to put out a plan with more details.
“Both action and inaction will be criticized. We humbly ask you to act with sufficient force to reverse the rising daily case counts while also detailing how and when we would escalate our interventions even further. Making decisions, even when difficult, is the hallmark of strong leadership,” the letter said.
The letter acknowledged that it is difficult to keep up with COVID safety measures, but still encouraged caution.
“We appreciate that, in battling this epidemic, there are no easy solutions. From the inconvenience of wearing masks, to the isolation of social distancing and quarantine, to the harms felt by local businesses with every escalation in restrictions, we know that doing more will be difficult for Saskatchewan people. However, the lives of our friends and neighbours are on the line.”
Dr. Erin Hamilton, a physician in North Battleford, was one of the doctors who signed the letter.
She explained why the doctors are not making specific recommendations for policy.
“We’re not public health experts. We don’t have access to all of the data they have been collecting about how transmission is happening in Saskatchewan. We’re asking government to use all the information they have available to them to make the best decision,” she said.
She used the Re-open Saskatchewan Plan as an example of the correct approach, as it was phased in and methodical. She would like to see something similar for bringing in more restrictions.
“They had a great phased-in plan as they reopened, but they haven’t shown a plan as our cases are rising. We want to know that there is a good plan in place that will respond as our numbers are rising,” she continued.
“They have shown leadership. We would like to see more.”
#COVID19 is getting out of hand in Saskatchewan and physicians are concerned. We've now collected 280 signatures for this letter. @PremierScottMoe, we look hopefully to you for decisive leadership that will turn these numbers around. pic.twitter.com/Pu8WzqXfoK
— Brent Thoma (@Brent_Thoma) November 11, 2020
In an email to 980 CJME, Merriman responded to the letter.
“I would like to thank these dedicated physicians for their passion and engagement as Saskatchewan people continue to face the COVID-19 pandemic. I agree that a solid foundation of science and expert medical opinion is central to an effective response to COVID-19, which is why our government has been acting upon the advice and guidance of our top doctor, Chief Medical Health Office Dr. Saqib Shahab. Dr. Shahab’s advice and the adherence of Saskatchewan people to that advice has been crucial as we work to protect our families and communities while keeping our economy strong throughout the pandemic,” he wrote.
