Interior Health officials face COVID-19 questions during online townhall meeting

The continued reluctance of health officials to reveal the location of positive COVID-19 viruses was a hot topic during an online town hall meeting Friday evening, hosted by Kelowna Lake Country M.L.A. Norm Letnick. The official Opposition Health critic said it was one of the most asked questions viewers had in the lead up to the meeting.

Interior Health President & C.E.O. Susan Brown defended the decision. Brown said to the approximately 1,000 people online that the strategy “has paid off well for British Columbia.” Brown reminded the audience they can’t assume their community is immune to the virus, which has swiftly crisscrossed the world.

Brown said the importance of following health official instructions around handwashing, social distancing and avoiding large groups, is the best way to reduce the risk of virus transmission. And she suggested that when more people are seen to be following guidelines, anxiety will be reduced.

Brown acknowledged she is aware of the concerns of those with mental health needs. Brown was answering a question from an individual who stated he felt he was left behind with the closing of mental health offices and services across the region. “I don’t want people out there to feel abandoned,” said Brown.

Psychiatrists and other mental health workers are continuing to meet with clients through electronic means according to Brown. She encouraged those who are struggling with their mental health, to reach out to the 24 hour Interior Crisis Line Network at 1 888 353-2273. “Don’t feel you’re alone out there,” said Brown.

Brown also addressed concerns raised around the availability of resources such as ventilators through the region. She told viewers there has been a great amount of work done to identify where resources are needed, and how equipment can be moved throughout the region to meet changing needs. In addition, provincial officials are working to acquire ventilators. Brown said Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops is supplying Interior Health with seven ventilators.

There were several questions around when the COVID-19 crisis would pass and when people would see their lives return to normal. “We’re in the early days of this pandemic in B.C.,” said Interior Health Chief Medical Health Officer Sue Pollock. She added we won’t know the success of the measures we’re taking today, for another two weeks. And she emphasized the need to continue to follow the recommendations of health officials.

And when it seems like the worst is over, she warned against letting down your guard. “We don’t know yet,” said Pollock when asked if a second wave will occur. “But I think we need to prepare for that.”

Letnick says he plans to have the 90-minute meeting transcribed and the text placed on his M.L.A. website soon. He says questions that were not answered during the session, will be the subject of a Q&A document that will be developed next week and placed on the Interior Health website.