SASKATOON — Official opposition leader Ryan Meili is calling on the provincial government for a proactive approach in controlling a possible fifth wave of COVID-19 as the first case of the Omicron variant has already been detected in the province.
In a press briefing on Dec. 13, Meili talked about what the latest COVID-19 variant means for the province.
“We've also learned how important it is that we don't wait until we're in a crisis before we act. It is absolutely necessary that we don't wait until hospitals are full before we try to keep people safe.”
Meili said an Omicron plan must be put in place to keep everyone safe.
“As we learn more about the Omicron variant and the effectiveness of vaccines, we're learning that three is the new two. We need to make sure that people are getting those booster doses. Let's have an Omicron plan. Show that we're ready to get ahead of this and not wait until it's too late.”
He added that the Omicron plan should begin with getting the third dose immediately.
“Let's know exactly what our quantities of supply are and what the schedule is so that we can get everyone 12 and over that third dose. Let's make sure that we know what the steps are that we’ll take if cases start to rise,” said Meili.
“When we start to see proof of vaccine showing that three doses is fully vaccinated now, when will that be able to be something that is required, what gathering restrictions might come into place over and over and over again. These new measures have been surprising. Let's lay out a roadmap for ones have a real plan to get ahead of Omicron.”
Meili said a roadmap for how to celebrate Christmas must also be part of the Omicron plan.
“Last week, we heard the premier suggesting that people should get together in groups of vaccinated and unvaccinated. That kind of advice is muddying the waters. It's unclear and it's unsafe," said Meili.
“Let's have clear, distinct guidelines from the chief medical health officer so that people know what they can do to keep themselves safe over Christmas. We've been through too many waves of this to keep making the same mistakes. The good news is we've got a chance to show we've learned to get ahead of the Omicron variant. Let's have a clear plan laid out and follow it to keep Saskatchewan safe.”
Meili said accelerating the booster shot program, a third dose, could increase the effectiveness of vaccine protection against the Omicron variant.
“Now is the time to create an Omicron plan and share that plan with the public. We need to be expanding eligibility to younger adults as soon as possible and lay out what steps are needed should Omicron start driving a fifth wave,” said Meili.
“We’re almost two years into this pandemic—this government needs to learn from their failed fourth wave response, be proactive and get this right. Saskatchewan people were already at risk with protection waning from their COVID-19 vaccines. Now, as case numbers in other provinces start to climb, we need to be doing everything we can to get third doses before it's too late."
He added a plan, even partial, must be put in place rather than not having anything at all.
“We don't know exactly when we'll have doses available for everyone 12 and over. We're not seeing an accelerated schedule to get us those third doses. We don't know what else this government would do as we see cases start to rise. What would their choices be to keep us safe?”
“Over and over again, we've had to wait until it's too late. And we can't do that again. Our hospitals still have not recovered. They're still far over their usual capacity. If we get a big wave they'll be overwhelmed quickly. Let's see a real plan for the whole spectrum of response to Omicron. I would really encourage us to not wait on this. We know that the vaccine is safe. The third dose is safe. Let's accelerate that offering to the public. Allow people to have that choice.”
He added the province’s healthcare system is still recovering from the fourth wave of the pandemic, and a backlog with surgeries and organ transplants are some of the consequences of not acting soon enough. Patients that desperately needed care must be prioritized.
“The Saskatchewan Party’s choices to ignore the experts and allow the worst 4th wave in the country had a devastating effect on Saskatchewan health care. The idea that it will take eight years to dig we out of a mess made because they took one summer off is beyond infuriating.”
Meili also accused the Saskatchewan Party of using the crisis that they made to privatize the public healthcare system.
“Instead of building up capacity in the public system, they’re planning to rely on a parallel, for-profit system that will draw much-needed staff out of public health care delivery. Rather than investing in our public system to get results now, they’re putting their politics ahead of people in desperate need of care.”
According to the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s website there are more than 1,400 positions that needs to be filled and the provincial government has not yet announced a strategy to address the current shortage or plans for how to get additional personnel to offset the increasing shortage of staff.
Since 2018, residents who are currently awaiting surgery increased to about 12,000 patients and Meili said the provincial government’s plan to clear the surgical backlog in eight years is ridiculous.
“Alberta committed to clearing its backlog by mid-next year. What we need is an investment in our public healthcare system and a genuine recruitment and retention strategy from this government. There are currently nearly 1,500 vacancies in the SHA.”
“This Saskatchewan Party government has struggled for years to recruit healthcare workers to this province. Saying you plan to hire additional nurses to deal with our lack of capacity means nothing when you still have 1,400 positions empty. The government needs to involve the clinical leadership in addressing this backlog to create a solution that works for patients and strengthens our public healthcare system for years to come.”
