Nova Scotia’s previous health minister and current health critic is offering advice to the current government, as cases surge around the province.
Yarmouth Liberal MLA Zach Churchill held the health minister office during the third wave of COVID-19, which hit hard in Nova Scotia this spring.
The third wave was fueled by a new variant, the Delta variant, similar to how the recent rise in cases is due to a new variant, the Omicron variant.
He’s now sharing his experience and advice for Tim Houston’s government, saying the key to battling this new wave of infections is to make booster doses available for younger people.
“We’re looking at the Omicron variant transmitting very very quickly throughout young people,” says Churchill. “With so many coming home for the holidays, they’re going to be with their parents, grandparents, their family members. I think the best thing we can do right now is make these booster shots available ASAP for anyone over the age of 18.”
He shared what he thinks the biggest mistake the province could make is.
“The biggest mistake you can make in a situation like this is cave to that sort of political pressure that’s coming from people’s feelings,” says Churchill. “When you’re in a position where you have to make the calls that are life and death, in a situation like this pandemic, stick to the science, stick to the evidence.”
He says the PC government is currently following the same blueprint the Liberals did.