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Saskatchewan remains in the Omicron wave of COVID-19, and very recently, saw record hospitalizations. The healthcare system remains under immense strain, impacting patient access and care across the system.
Due to the highly contagious nature of Omicron, many healthcare providers are becoming ill and are unable to work. When 17-18 per cent of staff are calling in sick, all levels of care are affected, including patients and providers today and into the future as service slowdowns are required.
At SUN, we believe decisions related to public health must be science-based. These decisions must take into consideration the current state of the healthcare system and of the individuals who work within it, like SUN members who are reporting burnout and exhaustion. The system is stressed, and it cannot carry on like this in perpetuity.
With this in mind, SUN considers the Premier’s decision to discontinue public health measures as of midnight on February 13, 2022, to be premature. Yes, we all want to see restrictions and mandates removed. Yes, we want to learn to live with COVID-19 because it isn’t going away. However, SUN’s position is that public health decisions should be made in consultation with medical experts.
We also recognize that members have many questions regarding how the end of the vaccine passport system (and the forthcoming removal of all Public Health Orders on February 28, 2022) will impact the SHA’s vaccination policy. At this point, the Employer’s policy remains in place. SUN members will need to make their own personal decisions with regards to this policy but must recognize that failure to comply may result in employee discipline. We hope to receive more information on the Employer’s position in the coming days.
SUN would like to remind members of the great protection offered by COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, even against the Omicron variant – boosters offer 90 per cent protection against severe outcomes from the virus. Furthermore, wearing masks in public spaces, including our workplaces and schools, is an important and effective line of defence.
Finally, when we think about learning to live with COVID-19, we ask the government to share their plan going forward. How are they investing in Saskatchewan to make it more livable with a virus that isn’t going to go away? We know that poor ventilation and overcrowding allow COVID-19 to spread like wildfire, so how does the Premier plan to mitigate public risks as we return to normal life? We have seen how our aging long-term care centres and underfunded, overcrowded schools have repeatedly fallen victim to COVID-19 transmission – how does the Premier plan to address these infrastructure challenges to make it possible to live with COVID?
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your SUN Employment Relations Officer or call SUN Duty Roster at 1-800-667-7060 (Regina) or 1-800-667-3294 (Saskatoon).
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