BC Green Leader Sonia Furstenau on Tuesday said that the NDP has failed in its responsibility by sending mixed messages about the risks and impacts of COVID-19, telling the public that COVID-19 is a ‘mild disease’ and that ‘we are emerging from the pandemic.’

She noted that the government has a responsibility to inform, educate and support the public.

Furstenau said in a statement: “We know this pandemic is not over. COVID-19 continues to impact our health and well-being and the economy. People in BC continue to die each week from COVID-19. We are seeing the impacts and ongoing toll on our health care system.

“Government has an essential role to play in ensuring the collective well-being and health of British Columbians. Communicating the science about airborne transmission is crucial. People have been told that this virus is mild, and to wash their hands, with no clear indication that COVID-19 is an airborne virus. It should surprise no one that people are choosing not to get a vaccine because of this government’s insistence that this pandemic is over.

“We need to see masking, improved ventilation and filtration, and clear reporting from public health, in conjunction with vaccination efforts. We need a public education campaign so people understand the ongoing risks of airborne COVID-19 transmission, and long COVID.

“Banks and economists are providing more public health guidance than this government has been on the impacts of long-COVID on our economy. We will continue to see staffing shortages in hospitals, schools, and ambulance and ferry services if the BC NDP continues to ignore their responsibility to inform and protect the public.

“While vaccines have reduced the risk of COVID-19 infection and are a crucial piece of public health measures, we know that transmission of COVID still happens amongst those who are vaccinated and that vaccines have not eliminated the risk of long-COVID.”