The province’s NDP leader says now is not the time to consider relaxing some of the restrictions that we have had on us.
Ryan Meili says clear and consistent messaging is needed right now.
“There is a real risk that the message gets muddied.” Meili said on Wednesday before Moe announced that the province’s state of emergency was being extended by two weeks. “We don’t need to see people start to draw back from the measures in place. We don’t want that to happen where there are a number of elements missing in our response to the pandemic.
Meili outlined a number of gaps in Saskatchewan’s response that the province must address:
• Delays in reaching full-scale testing and contact tracing.
• Lack of health care readiness, including limited supplies of Personal Protective Equipment and critical equipment needs for ICU care
• Gaps in supports for the most vulnerable, including the homeless, those fleeing domestic violence and seniors.
• Limited availability and use of non-medical masks by the general public.
• The need for a task force of key sectoral leaders to plan the best possible ongoing response.
While saying this, Meili did admit the frustration level from people who want to go outside and begin interacting with friends, family and others is starting to grow as the numbers keep showing improvement, but he stresses that the work Saskatchewan people have done to limit the spread is something that can’t be abandoned.
