United Nurses of Alberta President Heather Smith said the province needs to stop treating the uptick in respiratory diseases as a political inconvenience and reinstate mask mandates. .“The simplest and most effective policy change that could implemented immediately would be an indoor mask mandate to reduce the spread of influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV),” said Smith in a letter to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, Health Minister Jason Copping, and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Mark Joffe. .“However, even a strong statement acknowledging wearing masks in indoor public spaces and limiting the size and number of public gatherings attended this holiday season could have a beneficial impact.” .The letter said the spread of respiratory viruses throughout Alberta is critical right now. It said the crisis is most severe in children’s hospitals and pediatric care. .The Alberta government said there were 1,400 Albertans hospitalized with influenza, with 140 of them in the ICU, as of December 10. There were also 992 Albertans hospitalized with COVID-19, with 32 of them in the ICU, as of December 12. .Smith said more robust reporting of influenza, COVID-19, and RSV statistics is “important to Albertans understanding the severity and the critical impacts on staffing of this situation.” She acknowledged Alberta Health Services (AHS) said the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton was at 100% capacity. .AHS said Tuesday Stollery will be implementing new staffing measures to help meet increased demand from respiratory virus patients in the emergency department, pediatric intensive care, and inpatient units. .READ MORE: Stollery Children’s Hospital moving into crisis mode.It will be identifying staff with previous ED, critical care, and inpatient care experience or appropriate skills for deployment to support clinical need in these areas and boost surge capacity..Other potential staffing measures include mandatory overtime, short notice schedule changes, and cancellation of staff vacations if shifts cannot be filled. .The letter said another measure which could help would be for Joffe to make a public appearance and statement acknowledging the situation facing Alberta’s healthcare system, especially the pediatric care facilities. .Smith implored these public figures to “do the responsible thing and act.” .“Now is not the time to put politics ahead of our children’s and seniors’ health,” she said. .Danielle Smith said November 14 she will not support school boards reinstating mask requirements amid an uptick in respiratory virus cases. .READ MORE: Smith says mask mandates not coming back to schools.“We’ve heard loud and clear from parents that they want a normal school environment for their kids,” said Smith..“We’re going to let kids be kids.”
United Nurses of Alberta President Heather Smith said the province needs to stop treating the uptick in respiratory diseases as a political inconvenience and reinstate mask mandates. .“The simplest and most effective policy change that could implemented immediately would be an indoor mask mandate to reduce the spread of influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV),” said Smith in a letter to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, Health Minister Jason Copping, and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Mark Joffe. .“However, even a strong statement acknowledging wearing masks in indoor public spaces and limiting the size and number of public gatherings attended this holiday season could have a beneficial impact.” .The letter said the spread of respiratory viruses throughout Alberta is critical right now. It said the crisis is most severe in children’s hospitals and pediatric care. .The Alberta government said there were 1,400 Albertans hospitalized with influenza, with 140 of them in the ICU, as of December 10. There were also 992 Albertans hospitalized with COVID-19, with 32 of them in the ICU, as of December 12. .Smith said more robust reporting of influenza, COVID-19, and RSV statistics is “important to Albertans understanding the severity and the critical impacts on staffing of this situation.” She acknowledged Alberta Health Services (AHS) said the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton was at 100% capacity. .AHS said Tuesday Stollery will be implementing new staffing measures to help meet increased demand from respiratory virus patients in the emergency department, pediatric intensive care, and inpatient units. .READ MORE: Stollery Children’s Hospital moving into crisis mode.It will be identifying staff with previous ED, critical care, and inpatient care experience or appropriate skills for deployment to support clinical need in these areas and boost surge capacity..Other potential staffing measures include mandatory overtime, short notice schedule changes, and cancellation of staff vacations if shifts cannot be filled. .The letter said another measure which could help would be for Joffe to make a public appearance and statement acknowledging the situation facing Alberta’s healthcare system, especially the pediatric care facilities. .Smith implored these public figures to “do the responsible thing and act.” .“Now is not the time to put politics ahead of our children’s and seniors’ health,” she said. .Danielle Smith said November 14 she will not support school boards reinstating mask requirements amid an uptick in respiratory virus cases. .READ MORE: Smith says mask mandates not coming back to schools.“We’ve heard loud and clear from parents that they want a normal school environment for their kids,” said Smith..“We’re going to let kids be kids.”
