B.C. health officer doesn’t see need for mask mandate

British Columbia’s provincial health officer says she doesn’t believe there’s a need for the “heavy hand” of a mask mandate.

Dr. Bonnie Henry says while influenza cases are up, 90 per cent of people in the province have some immunity to the COVID-19 virus through vaccination and infection or both.

Henry says masks are an important tool, but they should be used in situations where it makes sense, including in health care settings.

She says B.C.’s hospitals are seeing an increase in influenza, which is preventable by getting a vaccine.

Health Minister Adrian Dix says 1.2 million people have received their flu shot this year, already twice as many as last year.

He says the province is opening more hospital beds in preparation for the flu season, but the situation isn’t as desperate as in other provinces.

Henry’s comments come after several B.C. organizations demanded the provincial government immediately reinstate universal masking in all public spaces dur to rising flu, Covid and RSV cases.

The groups — including Protect Our Province BC, Safe Schools Coalition BC and BC School Covid Tracker — want premier-designate David Eby, Health Minister Adrian Dix and Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside to act now.

The organizations also want a public education campaign to explain why masks are an effective tool against respiratory infections with emphasis on the importance of mask fit and better filtration-grade respirators.

(The Canadian Press)