By Thomas I. Likness
EBC Edmonton Bureau

EDMONTON (Eagle News) — Canada needs to change its focus from attempting to eradicate COVID-19 to minimizing its impact, said a group of doctors and public health experts.

The advice is contained in an open letter and accompanying statement to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the provincial premiers this week.

“Elimination of COVID-19 is not a practical objective for Canada until we have a vaccine,” the doctors wrote. “We need to accept that there will be cases and outbreaks of COVID-19.”

While there is hope for a vaccine, the doctors say the government must be realistic about the time it takes to develop and evaluate it and then deliver an immunization campaign covering the entire population.

“We cannot sustain universal control measures indefinitely,” they said. “We need to accept that there will be cases and outbreaks of COVID-19.  We need localized control measures that are risk-based.”

Maintaining present public health measures, even with some gradual relaxation, has too high a cost to society, the doctors said.

“Canadians are missing scheduled medical appointments and surgeries, which will lead to increased deaths,” the doctors warned.

As well, they note education has been compromised, which can have long term negative consequences for children.

They also said the mental health of people has been affected, particularly in vulnerable populations, and there has been an increase in domestic violence, alcohol and drug intake and food insecurity.

The doctors advise COVID-19 control must be balanced with basic human rights.

“People need to be empowered to make informed choices about their own lives and the level of risk they are prepared to accept,” they said.  “Universal public health measures are appropriate only when they are truly necessary, supported by strong evidence, and when there are no other alternatives.”

(Eagle News Service)