I am Al Poole, retired Site Leader,  NOVA Chemicals, Joffre site. Like everyone else, I’ve been overwhelmed with information about Covid 19. It is in my nature to ask questions – and keep asking until I get a satisfactory answer. As a former Site Leader at NOVA Chemicals, Joffre I am aware of what emergency response plans look like. This isn’t it

Why am I doing this?

1. I accept that covid may be more contagious than other influenzas and requires thoughtful and well planned interventions to minimize the impact on all citizens (I say “may” as there is considerable disagreement on the PCR test method – even by its founder).. However, I am puzzled as to why the AB government and AHS will not consider the opposing opinions coming from other health and science experts. I suspect the truth is somewhere in the middle.  Why are they so reluctant to engage other opinion to ensure we are on a productive path to protect all Albertans. I am surprised at how willingly many Albertans have accepted the ongoing dogma by our government, AHS and the media. Fear factor is something to worry about. I believe it results from sharing inaccurate models and the constant reporting of cases even though we know cases are not harmful to the vast majority of Albertans.  Clearly – our media people are caught up in the fear factor. I hope people will read this and begin a process to become more informed on – What is And What isn’t –  as it relates to Covid. People need to ask more questions – demand better information.
2. Read these articles: one by David Redman on a proper Emergency Response Plan – why ignore it? https://c2cjournal.ca/2020/12/every-store-and-school-should-be-open-confronting-the-pandemic-with-confidence/  Second one – Great Barrington Declaration, written by some smart qualified medical people – why it is simply dismissed? https://gbdeclaration.org/
3. See this article on our freedoms and rights in the National Post from Preston Manning https://nationalpost.com/opinion/preston-manning-lockdown-rules-are-violating-our-rights-im-calling-on-the-justice-minister-to-intervene

Remember:

1) At the outset we were alerted to the fact the virus (like flu viruses) is likely to mutate.  Now – it has and continues to mutate.  Even more concerning is the notion it only happens in other countries and can only enter Canada – versus accepting the mutation can happen here too.

2) Soon after governments accepted Covid was real and in Canada they declared, “we must protect our most vulnerable”.  Everyone agreed! It still makes sense as one of the important objectives – but not the only one.

Perspective:

As of Jan 25^rd in Alberta (Based on data from Alberta Gov’t interactive web site on Covid):

• Over 95% of people contracting the virus have few to no symptoms;
• Less than 5% are hospitalized;
• Less than a 1% in ICU;
• Average age is 82;
• No one under the age of 20 has died.

Across Canada over 80% of deaths are in Long Term Care Facilities (most vulnerable).

So – how have they done protecting the most vulnerable? They have done a miserable job – and I am not surprised.   They were offered an emergency response plan but chose to ignore it. The plan outlined by Mr. Redman is consistent with my  Emergency Preparedness and Response training and experience.  Further, as soon as you enter the realm of personal protective equipment to protect people from respiratory infection – you are into seriously rigid procedures.  I have seen no evidence of meaningful procedures.

Deaths (using 4,400,000 as Alberta population – actual slightly higher):

• Covid deaths (1549):  0.04%
• Annual deaths (from all causes in 2019 – over 26,000):  0 .6%
• Deaths among elderly continue to rise – no surprise as they did not protect most vulnerable.

Age at death (comorbidities a major factor in most of these deaths):

• 80+ – 1030
• 70s – 316
• 60s – 160
• 50s – 50

In summary:

I worry the hype of new strains will lead gov’t to more and longer lockdown restrictions with out any realization these same actions  have made it worse for our most vulnerable and have made it worse for so many other Albertans.. A good Emergency Response Plan would have done a better job of protecting our most vulnerable – less deaths – less load on hospitals and much less impact on Alberta citizens and way of life. It is not too late to rethink the covid approach to something more effective in protecting our most vulnerable and getting Alberta citizens and businesses moving back toward normal life and operations. 

In closing, Covid has had an impact on us —  for two of our three children – have experienced work interruptions.  Our oldest is in essential services (Ontario) so continues to work. However, her son, our grandson at 13 is negatively impacted, by isolation and not being in a classroom, during a most important time of his life.  Also, I have a 92 year old mom in good mental and physical health – more negatively impacted by isolation.  As she said to me this summer, “for heavens sake Allan, I am 92 – what are they thinking”.  She was so upset she could not hug two of her children who were allowed a ‘distance visit’.

I am still puzzled and wondering – what are they (gov’t and AHS) trying to protect?  Their actions and decisions to date make no sense.

I encourage everyone to become more informed and start asking a lot more questions. We are entitled to better leadership  and meaningful information from our government. Here are my questions :

• What is the truth on PCR testing?  We want data not just your opinion.
• Why is the death rate so high in LTC – from March 2020 until now?
• Why is most testing related to multiple test for same people – suggests spread is in hot zones (LTC facilities).
• Why are so many business still under lockdown restrictions?

“What are your questions?”