We are living through a nightmare. An airborne virus is circulating in our communities. It is a terrifying enemy; it causes a high rate of fatal illness in the elderly and immunocompromised, while also killing some who are otherwise young and healthy. Many who catch it show no symptoms, turning them into ideal vectors for further spread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its symptoms are manifold and bewildering. COVID can rob victims of their senses of smell and taste, their lung capacity, their ability to focus and think clearly, and even their sanity. It causes symptoms that can linger for weeks, months, perhaps years; even those with “mild” cases may develop long-term disabilities. We cannot just live with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet, in BC, the government has decided that the interests of the oligarchs that run our economy outweigh the lives of our residents. #COVIDzero is not even discussed, despite the fact that Atlantic Canada and countries like New Zealand, Australia, Taiwan, and China have made real progress toward it. We deserve the same ambition here in BC. John Horgan, his new NDP majority, and the PHO under Bonnie Henry have shown a deep disdain for criticism, science, and proactive measures to contain the pervasive threat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They dragged their feet on masks until late November, denied that the virus was airborne until early January, and continue to traffic in falsehoods about community spread, rapid testing, masking in schools, and more. Now, their fixation is the vaccine\u2014despite proven community spread of the vaccine-resistant South African variant, despite continued supply issues with no clear path to resolution, despite the fact that their most optimistic projections suggest most BCers over 18 will not be vaccinated until at least October. Yikes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n