'We can’t forget all we’ve learned': Expert’s advice as N.S. lifts mandatory COVID-19 measures Wednesday
Tuesday was the last day for the volunteer-run asymptomatic walk-in COVID-19 testing sites that were once a constant during the pandemic.
The 'Test to Protect' sites, spearheaded by Infectious Disease Expert Dr. Lisa Barrett near the beginning of the pandemic, wrapped up with a final testing clinic Tuesday afternoon.
"Those test distribution sites and the onsite testing are done, thank you to our thousands of volunteers that have put in so many hundreds and hundreds of hours," says Dr. Barrett.
93-year-old Maureen Wilson came for her final asymptomatic test at the clinic and says she will miss the convenience.
"We’ve been coming down here through the winter, not every day but every few weeks or so, just to keep in touch," she says
But COVID-19 testing will continue through Nova Scotia Health for anyone with symptoms and those at high risk, even after the province’s remaining mandatory pandemic measures, such as masking and self-isolation, end as of 12:01 a.m., Wednesday.
The province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health announced the move Monday. Dr. Robert Strang said isolation remains 'strongly recommended' for anyone who tests positive for the virus. The province also said masking will shift from 'strongly recommended' to 'optional.'
"We really need to live," says Dr. Barrett. "But live with the knowledge that there is virus out there and use our vaccine plus strategy."
Dr. Barrett says that includes getting vaccinated and boosted and wearing masks in crowded indoor spaces.
"And certainly stay home when you’re sick if you at all can, and where tests are available, use them," she adds.
Nova Scotians are greeting the upcoming change with both optimism and anxiety.
"Kind of concerned," says resident Dean Lewis. "Because I hear our cases are over 200 a day still, people are still dying people are still getting sick, so I don’t think it’s wise."
For her part, Evelyn King feels it’s the right time to end mandatory measures. "I think it's good myself," she says. "And I might still wear the mask, I might, I’ll see."
"I’m definitely glad we have some freedoms over the summer," says Mary Cameron. "But it feels bizarre to have it gone all at once."
For Ronan Holland, the province’s decision doesn’t sit well.
"A bit premature in my view," he says. "And if I got COVID-19, I would stay at home and isolate."
Kelley Matheson would do the same.
"Whatever other people want to do is their choice I guess," she says. "But I’m going to keep wearing my mask and do what I always have been."
As COVID-19 variants continue to emerge and infect, the head of Doctors Nova Scotia, family physician Dr. Leisha Hawker supports the move.
"We’ve seen restrictions lifted in other provinces, and I agree with Dr. Strang and public health that it is time. We can’t keep these restrictions forever," says Dr. Hawker.
Dr. Hawker says the virus is still present and that we may see some waves in the fall, as people move back indoors. She says that’s why masking and hand-washing remain important.
"We’ve seen multiple variants, we’ve seen waves and essentially we know that we can’t really predict anything, and we have to just adjust as we are going."
"This is not COVID-19 fear," says Dr. Barrett. "If we want to live healthy and well in the next seven, eight, ten months, we can’t forget all of those things we’ve learned so far."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for "all parties" to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
Taylor Swift drops 15 new songs on double album, 'The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology'
On Friday, the pop star released her 11th album and at 2 a.m. Eastern, she released "The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology," featuring 15 additional songs.
Israel gave U.S. last-minute warning about drone attack on Iran, Italian foreign minister says at G7
The United States told the Group of Seven foreign ministers on Friday that it received 'last minute' information from Israel about a drone action in Iran, but didn't participate in the apparent attack, officials said.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.