Yes, you are sick of COVID-19. With reason.
Posted at 5:00 a.m.
There’s just one small problem: the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t over.
For several weeks, cases of COVID-19 have been increasing, hospitalizations have increased from 1007 to 1260, and we should reach 1500-1600 within a few weeks. With a health system that is out of breath and slows down more in the summer due to the holidays.
Why is COVID-19 picking up steam? For three reasons: 1) almost all sanitary measures have been dropped; 2) the new subvariants (which account for more than 75% of cases) are more contagious; 3) vaccine protection fades over time.
While the virus is not taking vacations, a large majority of Quebecers are enjoying the summer (that’s great and oh so deserved) as if the pandemic was a thing of the past (that’s more risky).
The Legault government has its share of responsibility in this carelessness. Like other governments in Canada and around the world, it dropped unpopular health measures. The problem is that he also abandoned the prevention of COVID-19 at the same time.
For more than two years, the Legault government embodied public health guidelines. There, he acts as if the pandemic no longer exists. And no one — in Public Health or elsewhere — took over with sufficient vigor.
People are tired of hearing about COVID-19. But as long as she’s around, at the very least, they need to be told clearly what the best health practices to adopt are.
From now on, the messenger is the Dr Luc Boileau. And the national director of public health must raise the tone in prevention.
We do not say loud enough how much you have to get your third dose of vaccine, which gives much better protection.
It cannot be said loudly enough how useful masks are in dense enclosed indoor spaces, outdoor crowds (eg: at festivals) and on public transport.
Every Quebecer must assess their risk, but we are not all budding epidemiologists. We need clear, easy-to-follow advice. Hoping that they will be followed by the greatest number.
At the very end of his press briefing on Wednesday (his first on COVID-19 in over a month), we took the initiative to ask Dr.r Boileau his advice for the summer. On this occasion, he was of impeccable clarity. It is this advice that Quebec should repeat loudly and often this summer.
So here is your summer guide to reduce your risk of COVID ruining your vacation (it contains advice from Dr Boileau and other experts):
1) If you are 60 or over OR you are at risk OR you are immunocompromised, get your fourth dose quickly, insists the Dr Boileau.
2) Update your vaccination protection. The third dose rate of 55% in Quebec is insufficient. If you don’t have your third dose, take it (unless you’ve had COVID for three months).
3) Wear a mask if you are with people at risk. “If you want to help those who are more at risk around you, wear a mask,” says the Dr Boileau.
4) The goal should always be to avoid catching COVID-19 whenever possible. “It’s not fun [d’attraper la COVID]. It’s not a good idea, ”says the Dr Boileau.
5) Wear a mask in dense enclosed indoor areas or in large crowds outdoors. The N95 is very effective in protecting you, the intervention mask protects the people around you more. “If you want to help yourself, wear a mask,” says the Dr Boileau.
In Quebec, helmets are not compulsory on bicycles, but 69% of adult cyclists still wear them for protection.
If it’s good for the helmet, it’s good for the mask.
