VICTORIA, B.C. – Sonia Furstenau, leader of the B.C. Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley has issued the following statement:
"We have not seen an update on the ages of people being hospitalized due to COVID-19 since early January. Given rising hospitalizations of children in the UK, the US, and Ontario, I call on government to immediately report this data.
“Parents should know if there is a rise in children being hospitalized in B.C. due to COVID-19 infections. Providing transparent data and clear information should be recognized as a primary responsibility of government during a pandemic.
“This government has told British Columbians that we have moved to a ‘self-management’ phase, but it denies people the basic information and tools that make informed decision-making possible. PCR and rapid tests are nearly impossible to access, there is a lack of clear information about airborne transmission and the value of N95s, and the data that is made available is incomplete and inconsistent. This government has become increasingly unwilling to provide transparent data, including how many people remain in hospital after they are no longer considered infectious.
“The news of health care workers filing a class complaint at the BC Human Rights Tribunal against their health authority is an indication that people are losing trust and confidence in how this government is managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Transparency is an essential aspect of regaining trust. It is time for this government to change course and be truly open and transparent with the citizens of B.C.
“The B.C. Greens have repeatedly called on government to be more transparent with data and the evidence that informs their decision making. This is essential for people to be able to make informed decisions during a pandemic.”
-30-
Media contact
JoJo Beattie
Press Secretary
B.C. Green Caucus
+1 250-882-6187 | [email protected]