EDITORIAL: Scrutinize all -- including public health

Article content

Canadians are currently living through a period of incredible upheaval. Businesses are closed, activities are shut down, people are told to stay in their homes.

There is no doubt we are living under authoritarian measures. The only question is to what degree do we believe they are warranted and to what degree do we support them.

And let’s be clear about one thing: This is indeed a question — a question that Canadians have the right to ask, both amongst themselves and of politicians and public officials who are calling the shots.

For the most part, Canadians have been supportive of efforts undertaken by the government to control the spread of COVID-19.

However there are valid questions to be asked about the measures undertaken.

Is it really necessary to shut down retail outlets when they have been shown to have caused very little spread of the virus?

Why is Canada’s current response over-the-top compared to what the government’s pandemic preparedness guidelines — authored in 2018 — recommend doing?

Why are we locking down all healthy people after having identified that most people are not at risk of having a serious outcome form COVID-19?

Can more be done to protect long-term care homes and hospital capacity other than just bluntly shutting down society?

These are the sorts of questions that need to be asked. We are no longer facing a niche public health issue. This is a whole-of-society problem. That’s why it’s important to have voices at the table who represent all over society.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Play Video

Asking follow up questions or making criticisms of pandemic measures isn’t “anti-science.” It’s just what happens in a free and open society.

Given the severity of what’s going on, it’s the duty of the media and an informed public to ask questions of their government — that includes public health officials.

The Sun recently reported on a public health advisor to the Ontario government who was also retained by a teachers’ union to represent their interests. It’s these sorts of things that the public has a right to know and then make judgments for themselves about.

Everything should be scrutinized at a time like this.