Premier not demonstrating leadership on COVID

By Letter to the Editor on October 6, 2021.

Editor:
Dear Premier Kenney,
As an Albertan who received both vaccine doses as soon as possible and has worn a mask consistently since last summer, I am furious with your continued refusal to take comprehensive action to stop this fourth wave. I am furious with your refusal to heed the warnings and pleadings of Alberta’s frontline doctors, nurses, the AMA and the CMA.
Had you acted in mid-August when cases of the Delta variant began their rise and when health care workers warned that action was needed, we would not be in the current drastic situation.
Your disregard and disrespect of health care workers who are experiencing the brunt of your mishandling of this wave of the pandemic is appalling. Your lack of decisive action has significantly contributed to the extreme stress, overwork and burnout of healthcare workers.
While it is great to hear that help will finally be arriving from the Armed Forces, the Red Cross and Newfoundland, it is embarrassing and shameful that it has come to this and yet should have happened weeks ago. Implementing a straightforward vaccine mandate and passport system like Ontario and Quebec did when they did, could have lessened the current disastrous situation.
You are finally requiring provincial workers to be vaccinated but then allow an out through testing.
This sends a mixed message and highlights your repeated failure to take decisive action.
Why are you not learning from the experiences of other provinces?
Why do you keep waiting weeks to act when Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and B.C. have shown the way to bring the Delta variant under control?
You are not demonstrating leadership by any stretch of the imagination.
Jacqueline Preyde
Lethbridge