Careful — COVID loves a crowd
COVID-19 is a public health issue. And so is systemic racism. And police brutality.
That’s why so many political and health leaders have been cautious in addressing two competing needs: Keeping people safe from the deadly coronavirus while at the same time supporting justified protests against oppression.
Chief public health officer Dr. Heather Morrison told media last week she understands the importance of the recent Black Lives Matters march in Charlottetown, which is part of a campaign against violence and systemic racism towards Black people. But she does have some worries about the gathering.
“I think my level of concern is – and I have said this here before – I feel like I’m always worried about the spread of illness because I don’t want to see people sick and I don’t want to see people end up in hospital and unintentionally impact others,’’ Morrison said during a regular briefing.
“I share concerns with other medical officers of health I know across the country of whether or not we will see an increase in cases of COVID-19 related to protests.’’
The virus, of course, doesn’t care why crowds gather. The evidence is overwhelming that large gatherings of people, in close proximity to one another and not wearing personal protective gear, provide a fertile environment for transmission of any infectious disease.
The United States is now being hit with a second wave of COVID-19 cases that many experts are linking to the Memorial Day (May 25) weekend in that country. Two-and-a-half weeks after Memorial Day, the number of new infections has shot upwards in over 20 states, in some cases by as much as 60 per cent. Total cases now top two million nationally. Hospitalizations are also up sharply.
Although increased testing has been cited by some politicians as the reason, experts say that alone cannot explain the spike in cases.
Of course, May 25 was also the date George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer, setting off protests across the U.S., Canada and around the world.
Some protesters have tried to social distance and have worn face masks — measures shown to lower the risk of infection. Experts also note that being outdoors cuts risk of transmission. All of these were the case at the June 5 Black Lives Matter march in Charlottetown.
Those measures are important as shouting and chanting can spread the virus.
Experts also warn police they are making transmission of the virus more likely through use of tear gas and pepper spray. Those substances cause people to become teary-eyed and cough — perfect conditions for the virus’s spread. So health officials are rightly asking police to end tear gas and pepper spray use.
People have been suffering, and dying, for too long due to systemic racism and police brutality. The current groundswell of revulsion against such oppression, as reflected by these protests, is too important to suggest they stop.
If you’re marching or gathering, please remember: Wear a face mask and practise social distancing. Demonstrate against injustice, but take good public health precautions.