I hesitated mentioning the word “young” in the headline of this blog because I didn’t want to sound like Premier John Horgan warning young people to “not blow it” when it comes to following COVID-19 rules.
Young people face increased risks of getting COVID-19 because many of them work in precarious jobs for low pay with no sick days. Horgan’s comments were harsh and an example of poor messaging.
*BUT* it is OK to criticize young people when you see egregious examples of violating COVID-19 health protocols, such as not wearing masks properly in indoor public settings. For the record, I’ve seen people of all ages violating these protocols.
I was at Lougheed Town Centre shopping mall on Thursday afternoon when I spot a couple of young dudes giving the middle finger to masks rules.
It wasn’t just a momentary lapse – two of these dudes either wore their masks around their chins as they strolled the mall or they took them off completely. They walked back and forth and stood around the food court, even ordering food in the face of a worker.
And not a care in the world. Just laughing and giggling. Oh, and when mall security passed by they quickly put on a mask.
Meanwhile, another 1,300 people got COVID-19 as of Thursday’s daily numbers and new threats of things being locked down.
A new provincial order will allow WorkSafeBC to close workplaces for 10 days or more when there is confirmed transmission in the workplace and at least three people test positive for COVID-19, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Thursday.
Workplaces, particularly in the Lower Mainland, are one of the most common areas where transmission is occurring, and it spans many sectors, Henry said.
Transmission is occurring both in the workplace itself and during social interactions between workers who bring the virus into the workplace, she said.
In larger workplaces, a closure might be limited to one area or team where transmission has occurred, Henry said. The order will not affect essential services, such as schools, health care, first responders and transportation.
A list of closed businesses and their reopening dates will be posted publicly, Henry said.
The new order reflects a more targeted approach to control and prevent outbreaks in workplaces and will help to avoid sector closures, she said.
Henry announced Thursday two deaths and a record-breaking 1,293 cases.
Health officials continue to urge people to follow the protocols, but too many continue to ignore them.
- With additional files from the Victoria Times Colonist
Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.
