Photo by Photo Submitted
PROVIDING THE LATEST – Dr. Brendan Hanley, the Yukon’s chief medical officer, delivers Wednesday afternoon’s media update on the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of known cases in the territory remains at 11. Photo courtesy YUKON GOVERNMENT/ALISTAIR MAITLAND PHOTOGRAPHY
Photo by Vince Fedoroff
ACKNOWLEDGING A VITAL SECTOR – NDP Leader Kate White and her father, Don, erected signs thanking truckers along the Alaska Highway at both ends of the city. Truckers continue to play an invaluable role hauling food, fuel and numerous other supplies into the territory during the COVID-19 pandemic. Inset Dr. Brendan Hanley
The Yukon will stay in COVID-19 lockdown for another 12 to 18 months, though some restrictions will be relaxed or modified in the meantime, according to the chief medical officer.
The Yukon will stay in COVID-19 lockdown for another 12 to 18 months, though some restrictions will be relaxed or modified in the meantime, according to the chief medical officer.
“COVID is an insidious disease which continues to teach us, surprise us and humble us,” Dr. Brendan Hanley told a Wednesday afternoon media briefing.
As of that evening, the Yukon was still at 11 cases of COVID-19 with 878 people tested and 16 tests pending result.
During Wednesday’s media briefing, Hanley outlined the necessary criteria for reopening the territory incrementally and establishing a new normal.
“There is no getting back to the old normal until we have a population that is sufficiently immune,” Hanley said.
That means waiting until a vaccine for COVID-19 is available and has been administered to a large portion of the Yukon population.
The working timeline for a vaccine’s availability is 12 to 18 months. The Yukon will be under some form of lockdown until that happens, Hanley said.
The chief medical officer is working to assess what businesses can be opened and restrictions relaxed in the next year.
This could mean permitting the reopenings of public spaces, like the Whitehorse Public Library, with safety measures in place.
“With an ability to look at priorities and systematically examine adherence, I think we can make life a lot more bearable, or livable, by looking at where we can start to open up,” Hanley said.
He estimates another month before incremental reopenings will take place.
The Yukon will work with other jurisdictions and federal powers to prioritize reopenings.
Hanley said he is expecting the federal government to establish some kind of framework for relaxing restrictions that can be adopted by each jurisdiction according to its unique circumstances.
Last week, the World Health Organization posted six criteria for lifting COVID-19 restrictions.
They include maintaining low transmission of the virus, sufficient health system capacity and minimized risk for vulnerable populations and importing the virus.
There are a few restrictions that will not be loosened before a vaccine is available, Hanley explained.
Tight border closures will remain in effect, because a key aspect of fighting the virus is limiting its importation.
Travellers will still need to isolate for 14 days upon entering the territory.
The ban on gatherings of 10 or more people will also not be lifted, though Yukoners can expect more clarity on those restrictions as they pertain to specific situations, Hanley said.
The chief medical officer is looking to revise the territory’s testing strategy, strengthening the protections for vulnerable populations and susceptible areas. More information on this will be communicated on Friday, Hanley said.
Yukoners should plan to carefully follow the six steps of prevention for the foreseeable future.
They are physical distancing; regular hand washing; staying home when sick; not gathering in groups of 10 or more; avoiding travel to communities; and self-isolating when required.
Hanley said he sees some Yukoners growing lax on these safety rules. He warned that maintaining vigilance is paramount to preventing an outbreak.
“We cannot let go of these … I will tell you, we will get nowhere and could end up being on the curve,” Hanley said.
“We are still early in this pandemic, we will need patience; stamina and mutual support to get through this.”
Hanley urged Yukoners to reach out for mental health support and refrain from drinking or smoking to manage stress. It’s important to maintain optimal physical health at this time, he noted.
On Monday, Hanley announced that the Yukon’s ninth, 10th and 11th cases are centred in the same household.
Since the existence of a family cluster was publicized, there has been a trend of unkind dialogue on social media directed at the household.
Hanley urged Yukoners to remain compassionate toward those affected by the virus.
“I understand there have been, might I say, ungenerous social media postings about the involved family,” Hanley said.
“I would like to say we cannot, and should never, know about specific circumstances of an individual or family.
“This family infected is like any other I have come to know in Yukon–– close, loving, dynamic and thirsting, above all others, for respect and privacy.
“I would never wish to suppress the flow of public opinion, but please, let’s be understanding and kind to each other.”
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Comments (51)
Up 5 Down 1
BnR on Apr 29, 2020 at 8:58 pm
Ah yes, let's open the economy and get back to normal because there's not too many cases anymore. It's the old I'm-feeling-better-so-I'm-not-going-to-finish-taking-these-anitbiotics schtick.
Up 10 Down 21
Atom on Apr 28, 2020 at 9:17 pm
How glad am I we elect the folks who make the tough decisions to keep us from dying prematurely.
Up 17 Down 13
Always Questions on Apr 28, 2020 at 7:15 pm
Sounds like we've done everything wrong by the comments here, lol.
Personally, I just take a look at the US stats and I am grateful to be a Canadian and even more so a Yukoner.
My two cents ->
1. Who has/had it? NOYB, let's make everyone with, say, Herpes, tell us they have Herpes, highly contagious and also a virus with no cure.
2. Are the stats, studies & media reports accurate? Who cares? Drop the number(s) by half and all those families of all those people who have died (alone) still feel the hole left in their hearts and their lives.
3. Does anyone accept the concept of personal responsibility for yourself or your community? Govvy can't do this part, it's up to us.
4. What if it was 6 - 12 months instead of 12 - 18? We just don't know a lot about this virus, let the experts do their jobs and quit reading & watching so much TV about COVID19!
5. Seeing Mother Earth being able to breathe again around the globe is inspiring and hopefully we global citizens will recognize we can't keep doing what we've been doing. Positive of this pandemic, let's not waste the message.
6. Economy & money? hm? I can't even, too much to consider what the future could look like eh?
As Yukoners, we do know hardship, we do know isolation, we do know the importance of community and giving a helping hand to our neighbours in times of need, disaster or even a pandemic. More appreciation to express to all my co-Canadians that keep our territory going.
Unlike those vowing to step-out asap, I am promising to adhere to the recommended behaviours of our health experts for as long as my country, my territory and my neighbours needs me to.
See ya all on the other side xo I hope
Up 31 Down 10
donna johnston on Apr 28, 2020 at 6:35 pm
12 months are you kidding me - every store on Main Street is open - Walmart - Canadian tire etc - wtf - we've had 11 cases - and that was 2 to 3 weeks ago - and where is Larry ?? No word from him - we need to hear from our territorial government as to why we are supposed to be shut down - as long as we do not let people in who do not self isolate - we should be ok.
Up 15 Down 7
Can't lay off government on Apr 28, 2020 at 9:26 am
@Real -- there won't be government layoffs of any permanent employees because of their collective agreement with the union. It would cost more to lay them off then to keep them working--even if at a reduced capacity from home.
They would be able to cancel all casual contracts or anyone out of the union. I'm sure that's happened.
Up 24 Down 5
senor on Apr 28, 2020 at 8:50 am
Real wrote
'lock down seniors' facilities" I tell you what, come down to Alexander residence and present your proposal, and we'll take a vote on it. I mean you are some kind of freedom freak right!
Up 56 Down 6
Obi on Apr 28, 2020 at 6:03 am
So Canadian Tire, Walmart, and our grocery stores are open, and cashiers see hundreds of people a day, but our hospital won’t see a few people that need blood work to check for other possible serious diseases?
I would say definition of what is an “essential service” needs an update.....
Up 32 Down 16
Micawber on Apr 27, 2020 at 5:49 pm
I am a senior with compromised lung. I have not been able to hug my grandkids for 2 months. I do not want to die because an 'invincible' cowboy wants to rush back to life as usual. Please be patient, wash your hands and stay home.
Up 39 Down 17
willard phelps on Apr 27, 2020 at 5:19 pm
I consider the situation and hear it compared to a war, and can't understand the whining of those who feel deprived by the present restrictions. FOR GODS SAKE, our ancestors sacrificed their LIVES in war for the common good!
Up 47 Down 48
Real on Apr 27, 2020 at 3:07 pm
How about anyone who is at risk isolate themselves and those who are low risk go back to business. Lock down the seniors facilities, hospital and whatever other risk areas I cant think of and let the rest of society move forward. And, why have there not been any govy layoffs?
Up 62 Down 72
melba on Apr 27, 2020 at 11:12 am
An economist who understands where the money comes from to pay for our medical care, social assistance cheques, and other public services should be making regular announcements along side of the doctors. Doctors are interested in one thing only: the medical aspect of this disease. I was going to say 'public health' but public health includes paying for services which means having a functioning economy. The economists are very much a part of public health and should be heard. I would be very relieved if they were to stand up and say, 'Everything is going to be fine! Don't worry, here is how we are going to dig our way out of this financial hole that we are sinking into right now. Here is how your kids are going to pay it off over the next 20 years.' - or whatever the story is.
Stop ignoring the other side of the equation.
And speaking of even just the medical side of things, the hospital sits 2/3rds empty while we wait for a flood of covid patients in intensive care, that never happened. Get on with the elective surgeries and other health care that is not happening! These are impacts on people's health that are real and that are happening right now and that are being completely ignored by Dr. Hanley and others who are over focused on covid19. My opinion!
Up 84 Down 16
Yukon Cornelius on Apr 27, 2020 at 10:56 am
@ Nicky who at 11:59 pm on Apr 24, 2020 wrote:
"Saskatchewan has a plan which shows how leadership works.
Re-Open Saskatchewan is a plan built on a methodical and phased approach to slowly lifting restrictions so that more businesses can open and more employees can go back to work."
According to a recent report from a Harvard University panel of more than 45 experts in health, science and economics, the U.S. will need to administer 20 million tests for the novel coronavirus each day by mid-summer of 2020 in order to fully remobilize the economy in a safe fashion.
Given the fact that Canada's population is 11.5 per cent that of the USA's, Canada would have to scale up to 2.3 million tests for the novel coronavirus each day by mid-summer in order to fully remobilize the economy in a safe fashion. The bad news is that Canada currently does not have the required testing infrastructure, let alone the medical PPE needed to protect our front line health care workers.
The reason for the cautious approach used by the Harvard University panel is the fact that the mean, global R0 (a value of how many people 1 infected person can infect each day during normal social interaction) of SARS-CoV-2 is 5.7 which equates to a doubling time of the number of new case every 6 - 7 days.
There is a general consensus among Epidemiologists that prior to opening (whether immediately or in phases) one's economy, the R0 value would have to decline to less than 1 and the then current number of new cases of COVID-19 would have to decline to a level seen prior to when hospitals were over-run with COVID-19 cases.
As mentioned in my previous post of Apr 24, 2020 at 2:26 pm (below), SARS-CoV-2 is approximately 3 times more contagious than the Spanish Flu which killed an estimated 20 - 50 million people worldwide in 1918.
As of March 3, 2020, the World Health Organization estimates the global Mortality Rate of Coronavirus at 3.4 per cent which is almost 3 1/2 times more lethal as Spanish Flu which in 1918 had a global Mortality Rate of 1 per cent.
Unless and until the Canadian Government, Provinces and Territories drastically ramps up testing and contact-tracing (figuring out each and every person each newly infected person had contact with in the prior 40 days which is the outlying incubation period for COVID-19), re-opening the economy (whether all at once, or in phases) would be irresponsible, as SARS-CoV-2 doesn't care about 'phases'. It only does what it does - spreads rapidly, silently and cryptically between people who, once infected, may have zero symptoms for up to 40 days, but are extremely contagious and in turn, spread the virus among people who they come in contact with.
SARS-CoV-2 is spread through micro droplets suspended in the air from people breathing, speaking, coughing and sneezing. Indoors, these micro droplets can stay suspended in the air for hours after an infected person leaves a room, so unless we test everybody and each worker wears an N95 respirator, any other so-called 'plan' to re-open the economy is reckless and unnecessarily puts peoples' lives at risk.
Every business has a different workflow requirement. As we've seen during the past few weeks with a half-dozen large abattoirs shutting down in Canada and the U.S. (one of which is located in Edmonton and produces one-third of all the beef consumed in Canada, another, a Tyson Poultry plant which recently had to euthanize 2 million chickens due to hundreds of COVID-19 infections among their employees, there is no one to slaughter and process the chickens), without aggressive testing of the workforce, the spread of SARS-CoV-2 will be rampant and devastating to an organization's workforce.
I can assure you that public health concerns aside, given the employer liability for failing to provide safe work environments for their employees, there isn't a reasoned CEO of any major firm who, in the absence of aggressive SARS-CoV-2 testing of its workforce, would be willing to take a chance with people's lives - yes, even under a 'phased' approach ineptly hatched by some hayseed politician.
At the end of the day, epidemiologically speaking, although a 'phased' approach sounds well-thought out and impressive, there is no shortage of inept individuals who, for political reasons will take a half-baked idea and attempt to dress it up as a 'strategy' in the hope of getting it past public scrutiny.
The first thing they teach you in Statistics is not to confuse presentation with rigour. In other words, just because someone has a 'three-pronged' approach or a '5-phase' plan with some pretty charts and graphs, doesn't mean that it's well thought out or supported by epidemiological science.
Please stay home and protect our elders.
SOURCE:
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/493722-us-needs-to-conduct-20-million-coronavirus-tests-per-day-to-fully-open
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/04/03/825639323/scientists-probe-how-coronavirus-might-travel-through-the-air
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26/7/20-0282_article
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/canada/
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/sweden/
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/coronavirus-death-rate/#who-03-03-20
For calculation of Case Mortality Ratio, see 'Closed Cases' (Cases which had an outcome) and 'Deaths'.
Up 38 Down 11
Crunch on Apr 27, 2020 at 10:27 am
80% of the working folk in Yukon work for the 4 levels of government which is business as usual with the only change being working from home. 20% of the working population is getting royally screwed over in this lockdown. ( With the exception being VG and possibly others) How long do you think it could go on for?
Up 35 Down 19
One One-Lesser-Voice on Apr 25, 2020 at 7:50 pm
Phase one, government workers and others work at home and we have essential services.
Phase two, things open up a little but it's tough for many people.
Phase three, many people struggle and toys and homes are bargains. People leave if they can and many have to get used to a single household income.
Meanwhile in some countries they balance protection with an economy.
Up 31 Down 18
Igor Bogdanoff on Apr 25, 2020 at 12:27 pm
Deaths related to Covid-19 in the United States have surpassed all of the other causes of death you mentioned and are skyrocketing to the moon. Have a look at this graph and I think you'll reconsider your position:
https://i.insider.com/5e98cd7173d0c818b1055a52?width=800&format=jpeg&auto=webp
Up 49 Down 7
Groucho d'North on Apr 25, 2020 at 10:13 am
Let the Darwin Games begin. Winners will be announced in a year or two.
Up 25 Down 62
Ellie on Apr 25, 2020 at 8:41 am
So because my post was edited I will post these youtube sites you should check out yourselves. Go to “It’s Time to Fire Dr. Fauci and Fire Dr. Tam” on Youtube.
Up 80 Down 13
What, exactly, should Dr Hanley be doing differently? on Apr 25, 2020 at 8:31 am
Crack a few jokes before he gives an update, or a little song and dance??? I hope you folks who are criticizing him aren't the same ones who freaked out when the AWG were cancelled in early March. My opinion only - he's a bit of a nerd, gives measured/calm updates, advises people to be nice to one another. And has implemented some (imperfect, to be sure) measures that have put a lid on cases, which is exactly the kind of medical officer needed during this time.
Up 24 Down 60
Nicky on Apr 24, 2020 at 11:59 pm
Saskatchewan has a plan which shows how leadership works.
Re-Open Saskatchewan is a plan built on a methodical and phased approach to slowly lifting restrictions so that more businesses can open and more employees can go back to work. The plan introduces five phases to methodically, gradually and cautiously re-open businesses and services across Saskatchewan, beginning May 4, 2020. The plan also details physical distancing measures and restrictions that will remain in place throughout the five phases and provides a number of factors to inform decisions regarding the lifting of long-term restrictions.
“Over the next several weeks, restrictions will be gradually lifted by adding more types of businesses to the allowable businesses list, meaning that they can re-open if they so choose,” Moe said. “All businesses and public venues will be required to continue following physical distancing and cleaning and disinfection practices to protect both employees and customers. Members of the public will be expected to follow physical distancing rules and to stay home if they are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.”
Five Phases of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan
The Re-Open Saskatchewan plan consists of five phases. The timing and order of the businesses and workplaces included in each phase is subject to change throughout the process based on a continuous assessment of transmission patterns and other factors.
Phase One – Beginning May 4, 2020
The first phase of the plan includes the re-opening of medical services restricted under the current public health order, and the resumption of low-risk outdoor recreational activities, including fishing and boat launches, golf courses and a fixed date for parks and campgrounds. The size restrictions of public and private gatherings will remain at a maximum of 10 people.
On May 4, public access to medical services will be reinstated, including access to dentistry, optometry, physical therapy, opticians, podiatry, occupational therapy and chiropractic treatment. When it is not possible to physically distance, providers will be required to take precautionary measures as outlined by the Chief Medical Health Officer.
Low-risk outdoor recreational activities will be allowable with precautionary measures, including fishing and boat launches (May 4), golfing with physical distancing guidelines (May 15) and a fixed date (June 1) and clear guidelines for the operation of parks and campgrounds.
Phase Two – May 19, 2020
The second phase of the plan includes the May 19 re-opening of retail businesses and select personal services that were previously not deemed allowable. The size restrictions of public and private gatherings will remain at a maximum of 10 people.
A full list of retail businesses and select personal services that will be deemed allowable in phase two is included in the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan, along with guidance, protocols, and physical distancing measures that allowable businesses and services are required to observe.
Phase Three – Date To Be Determined
The third phase will be implemented following an evaluation of transmission patterns of COVID-19, and does not have a pre-determined date. The third phase will include the re-opening of remaining personal services, along with the re-opening of restaurant-type facilities, gyms and fitness facilities, licensed establishments and childcare facilities. Capacity limits will remain in some facilities, such as limits to 50 per cent of regular capacity for restaurants and licensed establishments.
All businesses and customers will be expected to maintain physical distancing practices, guidelines and recommendations.
Other than in allowable businesses, the size of public and private gatherings will increase to a maximum of 15 people.
More at https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/news-and-media/2020/april/23/reopen-saskatchewan-plan
Up 13 Down 43
Baa, Baa Blacksheep on Apr 24, 2020 at 9:14 pm
You’re wrong, you’re wrong and you are wrong, but you, especially you, you are absolutely, fundamentally, and stupendously wrong - Infinitely so... SSTFU!
Blah, blah, blah...
The endless bleeting of sheep who proceed to the slaughter, cacophonously ignorant, of their own free will.
Up 15 Down 29
JC on Apr 24, 2020 at 5:18 pm
Ellie: Good for you. Totally agree.
Up 30 Down 42
JC on Apr 24, 2020 at 5:13 pm
Bud McGee, Social distancing and personal safety is not Dr. Hanley's advice. He didn't invent that - he's just parroting what he has heard from the experts. And that goes for everything else about this virus. But he and the govt. will try to do a few things a little different just so everyone will think it's their idea. And as I said before, if he and the lib government think they are going to force Yukoners to hibernate for 12 - 18 months, they have a big surprise. I for one am waiting for the handcuffs.
Up 65 Down 112
Ellie on Apr 24, 2020 at 2:44 pm
So for 11 cases you shut the Yukon down for 12-18 months. Show the proof that there are 11 confirmed cases. Right now the virus has been around for a long time and people die everyday of all kinds of things. Pneumonia, Flues, colds, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, car accidents, plane crashes, abortions, bad choices, alcoholism, drug addictions, and on and on. There will be more people dying of the vaccinations that won’t work because the virus changes all the time that's what is happening right now, and you shouldn’t put anything in your body that comes from China. This is getting totally out of hand and ridiculous and people are operating in nothing but fear. Wake up people and start taking a stand, you are all being totally deceived by the so-called authorities.
Up 60 Down 90
HML on Apr 24, 2020 at 2:30 pm
12 to 18 months is ridiculous. What will happen with the businesses - they will they go bankrupt, the whole territory might go that way. No tourists, no business, people have to work and support their families....we are talking about year and half, waiting for vaccine that might not come or work. I just do not trust Bill Gates. The man has gone berserk wanting to vaccinate and microchip the whole planet earth.
Something just does not sound right. People will go berserk to be locked up for year and half while Trudeau is letting criminals out, do you think that is fair?
Up 88 Down 20
Yukon Cornelius on Apr 24, 2020 at 2:26 pm
@ Miles Epanhauser who wrote: "... we can and should shift gears well before 12 to 18 months ... allowing people in eateries and bars. It can be done and reversed if it does not work."
The biggest tragedy in all of this would be to allow ignorant, ill-informed, opinionated people to be the loudest voice in the room in the midst of an airborne, global pandemic.
As far as your ill-informed claims that: "... we can and should shift gears well before 12 to 18 months ... allowing people in eateries and bars. It can be done and reversed if it does not work." is concerned, one has only to look at Sweden which decided to keep businesses open and instead simply lock down vulnerable populations and rely on social distancing and good hygiene practices alone.
For the record, Sweden has a population of 10.23 million. As of April 24, 2020, Sweden had 2,152 COVID-19 deaths out of 2,702 'Closed Cases' (cases which had an outcome). Sweden's COVID-19 Case Mortality Ratio (the percentage of people hospitalized for COVID-19 who died from it) is 80 per cent. As of April 24, 2020 Sweden has 14,865 Active Cases of COVID-19.
Canada has a population of 37.59 million. As of April 24, 2020 Canada (which eventually locked down its economy) has 2,294 COVID-19 deaths, yet its population is 3.67 times that of Sweden's. Canada's COVID-19 Case Mortality Ratio is 13 per cent (compared to 80 per cent in Sweden).
Adjusting for the population difference between Sweden and Canada, Sweden (which as of April 24, 2020 has 2,152 deaths) would have 7,907 COVID-19 deaths or almost 3.5 times the number of deaths than Canada has as of April 24, 2020, yet if I had a dollar for every ill-informed Yukoner in town whom I've heard say: "We should be like Sweden and leave everything open! It's working for them!", I'd be a rich man.
In case you missed it the first time, to demonstrate the importance of keeping SARS-CoV-2 (Coronavirus) out of the Yukon, a recent U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) peer-reviewed White Paper states that Coronavirus has a doubling time of the number of infected persons of between 6 and 7 days. Assuming a serial interval of 6–9 days, the study calculated a median R0 value (a measure of how many people 1 infected person can infect each day during normal social interaction) of 5.7 (with a 95% confidence interval: 3.8–8.9). In contrast, the Swine Flu (AKA Spanish Flu) which killed an estimated 20 - 50 million people in 1918 had an R0 of 2. In other words, Coronavirus is almost 3 times as contagious as the Spanish Flu.
As of March 3, 2020, the World Health Organization estimates the global Mortality Rate of Coronavirus at 3.4 per cent which is almost 3 1/2 times more lethal as Spanish Flu which in 1918 had a global Mortality Rate of 1 per cent.
COVID-19 currently has a global Case Mortality Ratio of 20 per cent (the percentage of people hospitalized with COVID-19 disease who die from it), this is why global governments are shutting down their economies and ordering people to self-isolate.
So much for your ill-informed claim that: "... we can and should shift gears well before 12 to 18 months ... allowing people in eateries and bars. It can be done and reversed if it does not work."
In fact, if you understand basic math, with a global COVID-19 Case Mortality Ratio of 20, COVID-19 is 200 times more lethal than the flu, which has a Case Mortality ratio of 0.1 (put differently, currently, on average, 200 out of 1,000 global hospitalized COVID-19 patients are dying compared to 1 in 1,000 global hospitalized flu patients).
Verstehst du, Herr Epanhauser?
Please stay home and protect our elders.
SOURCE:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26/7/20-0282_article
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/canada/
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/sweden/
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/coronavirus-death-rate/#who-03-03-20
For calculation of Case Mortality Ratio, see 'Closed Cases' (Cases which had an outcome) and 'Deaths'.
Up 29 Down 6
voiceofthepeople on Apr 24, 2020 at 1:03 pm
I am not asking for the name and address of positive COVID-19 people. Information can be provided anonymously. The information is about testing procedures inside and outside the country for our sense of security. Why should this be a secret. Why can't Hanley tell us about whether or not the people who tested positive went through testing and security precautions at entry and departure points. We have all heard the stories about people getting off in Vancouver and even Whitehorse without any testing other than a questionnaire, and even people who knew they were positive but kept it hidden because the wanted to get back into Canada. My original comment was viewed by others through a paranoid lens of big brother is watching. We are not invading privacy. We are asking questions about security for the people of Yukon, who are not, in my 53 year residency, a stone throwing mob.
Up 37 Down 71
Miles Epanhauser on Apr 24, 2020 at 12:29 pm
They should protect the identity of people infected, we do not need a modern day Salem witch trial burning in the Yukon.
People here are fearful but we can and should shift gears well before 12 to 18 months. We should venture ever so carefully in the direction of allowing people in eateries and bars. It can be done and reversed if it does not work.
And to close the parking lot at the SS Klondike is so so unnecessary.
Up 44 Down 20
Bud McGee on Apr 24, 2020 at 12:24 pm
My advice to fellow Yukoners is follow Dr. Hanley's advice on social distancing and personal safety, but do not get too worked up about his speculation about when things can "re-open". The Yukon doesn't have the mathematical modeling capabilities, the amount of tests available, and the scientific know-how to figure this out. The Yukon will follow trends in BC, and the Federal Government. Our Federal Government will in turn follow guidance from the corrupted China-centric organization that is the World Health Organization. Hanley's doing great but for him to speculate doesn't provide useful information.
Up 45 Down 36
Juniper Jackson on Apr 24, 2020 at 11:15 am
Mr. Craft is entirely correct. Everyone is at risk for lack of information. I don't respect or pay much heed to Hanley. My personal opinion is that he has not handled this pandemic well from the start. But then, neither has the federal government, who is actually supposed to be protecting us. But, thats another issue. Another 18 months of handouts, charity, begging from people who actually like to work? uh huh.. good luck with that. Again, just me..but the reliable information is saying.. the disease is spread in enclosed places. Churches, mosques.. keep them closed down. Reliable information is saying, seniors, the already ill at high risk of death if the disease is contracted. Keep the Legion, Copper Ridge, Whistle Bend.. keep these places isolated. Otherwise..the rest, wear a mask, latex, hand wash, personal cleanliness and hygiene, antiseptic wipes.. 6 ft rule..and carry on. Runners? run.. campers? camp.. workers work.. families? You had a wonderful opportunity to know each other, don't let that get away from you. https://regina.ctvnews.ca/proceed-with-caution-sask-will-reopen-in-five-phases-premier-says-in-provincial-address-1.4906837 THIS is what all Canada should be doing.
Up 47 Down 2
Chad on Apr 24, 2020 at 8:30 am
Welp. Looks like the money I had saved for a vacation will be spent on a nice computer upgrade instead. If I'm gonna be stuck in my room for a year, might as well make it /comfy/ and download some good vidya. Good bye vacation, hello ultrawide monitor.
Up 51 Down 23
Capitan on Apr 23, 2020 at 11:36 pm
"what businesses can be opened and restrictions lifted in the next year"???. This is not a plan. It's not a plan to wait for a vaccine. That is not a life. This is with no hospitalizations. What can we expect when one person ends up in hospital?
I thought Brendan Hanley was trying not to overreact. I do not think that anymore.
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Skeptical One on Apr 23, 2020 at 11:31 pm
Like hell I’ll get a vaccine for this...they can’t make the ones we already have any better than “unavoidable unsafe”, and the one they’ve been trying to create for SARS (virus in the same viral family) for over a decade makes things worse in the vaccinated individuals than the unvaccinated ones when they’re exposed to the virus. No thank you, sir.
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Salt on Apr 23, 2020 at 11:02 pm
Recent studies involving large scale testing has shown anywhere from 5-21% of the population has been exposed to the virus. Lock downs have done nothing useful. On the bright side, it should soon be irrefutable that the mortality rate is well under 1%. Not that that will matter to the crybullies and chickenhawks lusting for authoritarian rule or our own cowardly brown shirts that are so willing to give it to them. Western society slides from one hysteria to the next without even time for a breather these days.
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Jack on Apr 23, 2020 at 10:34 pm
Announcing a long-term lockdown like this means these officials are now out of control and have no plan or way to measure the risks.
How does this still warrant a state of emergency?
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Matthew sills on Apr 23, 2020 at 9:51 pm
I am not sure what the preoccupation is with knowing who the infected people are. They are entitled to their privacy. They have behaved responsibly and done exactly what was expected of them. End of story! There is not a conspiracy here! I am also in the demographic, but I also believe that if I behave responsibly, physically distance, limit my exposure, and avoid the moist speakers, then I think I will be OK.
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Max Mack on Apr 23, 2020 at 9:28 pm
Waiting for a vaccine is a huge risk, as our success with coronavirus vaccines has been mixed. Not only that, but imagine being pumped full of a vaccine that has been rushed to market.
Let the low risk populations develop natural herd immunity by exposure to the virus. Let people get back to work and protect/lock-down the vulnerable populations. The lock-down is making the general population sick.
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Batteryguy on Apr 23, 2020 at 7:49 pm
I agree with richard! But why are we protecting a family who immigrated to Yukon? Shouldn't we all be given the right of protection from them?
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Kind of sleeping on Apr 23, 2020 at 6:26 pm
Dear Dr. Hanley,
I cannot look down on you as a medical professional. The education and dedication it takes to get that "Dr." in front of your name far surpasses what I've had the fortitude to achieve in my life so far. However, your abilities for public speaking and communication are abysmal. You may as well be a parrot on the shoulder of our excuse for a prime minister. Keep everyone locked down and afraid. This virus has sadly taken many lives, but it's also unfortunately raped our minds of the little common sense there was to begin with...
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Guncache on Apr 23, 2020 at 6:20 pm
I agree with these comments. Personally if I contracted corona I would have no problem putting my name and picture out there so everyone knows.
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Frank Lee Knott-Wright on Apr 23, 2020 at 5:36 pm
Dear voiceofthepeople - Ironically... In the Information Age information is subject to all manner of proprietary and privacy rights and protections... National secrets, corporate secrets, confidentiality agreements along with the hidden agendas we are not privy to... And then... There are various levels of interpretive authority should something be known... The informational hierarchy based on the societal structures.
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Kyle Carruthers on Apr 23, 2020 at 5:10 pm
I hope that we are able to achieve some sort of balance over the next year or two because Hanley is right that we are in this thing for the long haul.
Obviously we can't hold rock concerts or reopen the bars any time soon. But the immediate closure of unserviced campgrounds was unnecessary and the early delay of the opening of the campgrounds was premature and apparently not even based on Hanley's recommendations. The idea that we can ban any activity where people "might" congregate in groups that are too large and the government won't be there to intervene is flawed.
I am concerned that officials in the territories are going to overreact and we are going to endure unnecessarily strict lockdowns for longer than is necessary.
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Stephen on Apr 23, 2020 at 5:04 pm
It must be so hard for Matthew to know so much more than all of the blind masses who are being so easily tricked by Bill Gates and the elitist new world order into giving them complete control over their lives. Keep up the good work Matty and when this is all over and Qanon comes out on top, I really hope they consider you for the Yukon’s new and glorious leader. Only you can keep us safe from another pizza-gate.
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Fred Norris on Apr 23, 2020 at 4:50 pm
We’ve seen this movie before, it’s “I Am Legend” with Will Smith. Remember, the swine flu vaccine that was rushed through for the last “pandemic” caused more damage than the swine flu itself.
https://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/event201/
Speaking of event 201, Dr Brendan Hanley is the only current CMOH in Canada who studied at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, whose major donors include the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation. The major push for vaccines is coming from this group and the billions of government dollars involved in this. Who writes Dr Hanley’s press releases? Does he, or JHU? Does he have Yukoners’ interests first, or is he just a WHO parrot?
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JC on Apr 23, 2020 at 4:37 pm
And as far as not telling us about those infected and their communities, I have this to say. When those infected get over it, will they be allowed back on the street. What if they can infect people after they are over it? There have been reports already to that. If we knew who had it, we could avoid them. And that goes for the rural communities. And by the way, has the Silver lib govt. been able to get protective masks for the citizens up here yet? What are they doing about that? They can do a lot about taking away our freedoms, but don't seem to have any ability to supply the people with safety equipment. That's not leadership, that's failure to lead.
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Anon on Apr 23, 2020 at 4:32 pm
"...and not telling us gives the impression that Yukon people are a dangerous mob ready to stone the hapless victims."
I think that, judging by the comments people leave on here, that a dangerous mob is *exactly* how Yukon people already act... at least in their private hearts and from the comfortable armchair of anonymity.
Why do you need to know who was sick? It's none of your business. Would you want everyone knowing that *YOU* were sick? Of course not! But I'm sure you think you won't get sick, so you probably don't think about that side of things at all.
I can see it now: People will demand less restrictions, or take them upon themselves. Then we'll be hit with a new wave (remember, all it takes is ONE sick person, coming in from Vancouver or up the highway, to start a chain reaction) and then we're screwed. And THEN you'll all blame the government for not doing enough to save you and make all your decisions for you.
We have it pretty good up here right now. I would very much like that to continue.
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JC on Apr 23, 2020 at 4:27 pm
There may not be a vaccine for another 18 months or so, but there will be various cures. When the cures come out, it won't matter who gets the virus. To keep people locked up for another 18 to 24 months is insane. I can tell you the various consequences of this will be more devastating than the Covid19. I'm talking about drinking, drugging, spousal and child violence, sexual abuse, suicide and yes, even murder. I also am in the vulnerable stage - age and medical. But if the good doc and the libs think I'm going to hibernate for that period, then they better put me in jail. I'll take it for a little bit longer, but will know when enough is enough. I came to the Yukon in mid 1970s and know what cabin fever is and know what to do about it. If I get it, I'll go out happy.
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Tyler on Apr 23, 2020 at 4:23 pm
So with travel bans, what's it looking like for traveling to Bc and Alberta at the end of summer? Will those measures calm down or will the boarder remain closed?
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Matt on Apr 23, 2020 at 4:06 pm
12-18 months........you gotta be kidding? WTF?
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RICHARD CRAFT on Apr 23, 2020 at 3:14 pm
I have lived in Whitehorse since wooden sidewalk and dirt streets. If a person got cancer in Watson Lake everyone in the Yukon knew who it was! Now sick people are hidden from the public. So you lock everyone up! Why not let everyone know who the sick are so they can be avoided and kept in quarantine! And if they are caught wandering around, lock them up!
I am in that age group that die from Covid-19. And I have medical issues that require me to go to Walmart Pharmacy to get my medication every two weeks. And I have to see my Doctor monthly. What if one of your hidden Virus infected persons are in my presence and I don’t know and die! I will hold you responsible for my death should I die from having contact with your sick friend.
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Matthew on Apr 23, 2020 at 2:27 pm
We already know the outcome... Well you do if you know all about Event 201, which took place October last year.. look it up!
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voiceofthepeople on Apr 23, 2020 at 2:22 pm
There is no law stopping COVID-19 people from telling their story of what tests they had before returning, what tests they had on returning, what were the results, and when did they first realize they had the virus. Keeping things secret arouses suspicion, and not telling us gives the impression that Yukon people are a dangerous mob ready to stone the hapless victims.