'Puts everybody at risk': Winnipeg doctor speaks out on the dangers of lifting mask mandate
A Winnipeg doctor said the Manitoba government’s decision to lift the mask mandate, “puts everybody at risk.”
“It’s probably not something that needed to be done at this stage,” said Dr. Anand Kumar, an ICU physician and infectious disease specialist.
On Tuesday, Premier Brian Pallister and Dr. Brent Roussin, chief provincial public health officer, announced the province’s latest plans for reopening, which include lifting the province’s mask mandate for indoor public places.
Kumar noted that masks help to protect other people, adding that in particular children under 12, who can’t be vaccinated, need to be protected.
“The best way to protect them is to continue public health measures, particularly masking,” he said.
With Manitoba now moving from public health restrictions to recommendations, it could potentially lead to greater stress on the health-care system – something Kumar notes could be an issue.
“We’ve had a tremendous attrition of acute care here, both in the ICU and on the wards,” he said.
“I think it would be very difficult for us at this stage to ramp up anywhere near as much as we did last winter, never mind the spring. So I think it’s something we have to be very careful about.”
He pointed out that other places, including England and the United States, are starting to see large spikes, not just in COVID-19 cases, but in cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
“Particularly for the children’s hospital, we’re going to have to keep a really close eye out on that,” Kumar said.
Manitoba's latest round of public health orders will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 7.
Individual businesses will be able to decide whether they want to continue to require staff and customers to wear masks. Masks will still be required in health-care facilities, including hospitals and personal care homes.
- With files from CTV’s Renee Rodgers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING 'Just wait': Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city amid multiple reports
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.