EDITORIAL: Let's advocate for evidence-based rules

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All across the country, Canadians are living under some version of COVID-19 restrictions that tell them what they can and can’t do.

A lot of this is micro-managing people’s lives, a phrase Alberta Premier Jason Kenney used when describing what he thought the government should not be doing right now.

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Some of the restrictions out there make sense. For example, we know a lot of Canadians really enjoy live sports and concerts. But based on our current knowledge of the virus, it would just be irresponsible to hold large stadium events where over 10,000 people stand shoulder to shoulder with strangers, cheering and shouting with enthusiasm.

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For other activities, things are less clear. Like how some public health officials are trying to discourage participation in Halloween this year. And not just indoor parties. Some of them think we shouldn’t go trick or treating.

Really? Is there actually any scientific evidence to suggest that kids in costumes running from door to door outside, in what could likely be windy weather, will contract and spread COVID-19?

People are doing their own calculations about which rules do and do not make sense. A lot of people are beginning to ask critical questions of the rules now in place and are starting to push back.

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This is even happening at the mayoral level.

“I am glad the Province of Ontario is looking at the safe resumption of dance studios,” Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown posted to social media on Sunday. “There was no public health data to support their closure in the first place.”

This came after Lisa MacLeod, Ontario’s Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Minister announced: “I have heard from dance studios loud and clear. I am talking to the [Chief Medical Officer of Health], health experts, and the command table looking at options to ensure a safe resumption.”

Let’s applaud this attitude. The goal shouldn’t be a blanket ban on any group gatherings for the foreseeable future. The goal should be to find creative ways to responsibly resume the activities we love.

Canadians should be advocating for evidence-based rules and feel empowered to engage with their elected officials if the rules don’t make sense to them.