ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Health Minister Dr. John Haggie says he is satisfied everyone is on the same page now when it comes to American military personnel making stopovers in St. John’s.
“We kind of took matters into our own hands yesterday when it became apparent there was a vacuum in information, and we, I think, have dealt with that to my satisfaction,” he said Wednesday during the weekly COVID-19 briefing.
Social media lit up over the weekend when reports were posted of American servicemen entering a downtown restaurant without having undergone any quarantine.
Haggie said instructions they were given by Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) officials were less clear than what provincial public health hands out.
“Those from CBSA were somewhat more ambiguous than ours," he said.
“We have corrected that. We have gone with a very clearly worded memo to every fixed-base operator at the airport … with very clear language, very clear expectations, and offered the availability of personnel from the Department of Health should the need arise.”
Asked why the issue has only arisen now, since American military flights have been regularly making stopovers, Haggie said the province doesn’t have the jurisdiction.
“That has been an issue that has come and gone over the course of this.”
“Any business is free to refuse to serve someone whom they feel is a risk because of a lack of diligence or a lack of application of the recommendations or special-measures orders from the chief medical officer." — John Haggie
Haggie also emphasized that businesses have a role to play in ensuring those entering their establishments follow the rules.
“Any business is free to refuse to serve someone whom they feel is a risk because of a lack of diligence or a lack of application of the recommendations or special-measures orders from the chief medical officer,” he said.
The minister said he has no evidence that any of the servicemen were symptomatic.
Gossip vs. good citizen
The confusion highlights a bit of a mixed message emanating from the department during the pandemic. While the public is encouraged to report possible infractions of health measures, Haggie has also lamented the time wasted on rumours that frequently circulate on social media.
“I think it’s a movable target,” he responded, when asked how people should react. “I am always concerned about social media as a method of reporting to the department.”
Haggie noted his own Facebook page has an automatic response set up telling anyone who comments where to go to formally document their concerns with the appropriate agency.
“I think if people have concerns, they should report them. There is a mechanism through the COVID-19 website. There are channels through the Department of Health, and I would encourage anyone to use those.
“The challenge,” he said, “is when you get a post on Facebook that is suddenly shared 700 times and it turns out to be based on rumour or second-hand or third-hand information, or a picture that is six weeks old.”
Kindness counts
Meanwhile, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald encouraged people Wednesday not to judge, a message she has made before.
“As we continue to navigate living with this virus, please remember to take a moment and put yourself in someone’s shoes before you make comments, especially on social media,” she said. “These types of comments are generally not helpful, and can hamper our effectiveness.
“Kindness can be shown in many ways, and one of them is in our respect we have for one another.”
Haggie noted that young people in Canada seem to be the primary demographic of the disease in recent weeks as people start to let their guard down at social gatherings.
“That speaks to the lack of selectivity of the virus,” he said. “It will pick up on anyone and will move with them as chance offers. I think it’s important that all age groups bear in mind that this is a virus that can affect them. It’s not specific to the old. It’s not specific to town. It is everywhere.”
Departures
Wednesday’s briefing was Premier Dwight Ball’s last before a new Liberal leader takes over next week, but he isn’t the only person stepping down.
All three panellists offered thanks to Colleen Simms, assistant deputy minister of population health and mental health, who retires on Friday.
Fitzgerald was especially emotional in acknowledging Simms’ dedication to her successive posts in the department, which included director of mental health and addictions.
“Her work in mental health and addictions, particularly with Towards Recovery, has touched each and every one of us in some way,” she said, trying to hold back tears. “You have been steadfast in your leadership, and a tremendous support to those around you. We will miss you at the Department of Health and Community Services and we wish you only the best in your new adventure. No one is more deserving than you.”
@pjackson_nl
Peter Jackson is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter covering health care for The Telegram
