'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
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Steve Albini, legendary producer for Nirvana, the Pixies and an alternative rock pioneer, dies at 61
Steve Albini, an alternative rock pioneer and legendary producer who shaped the musical landscape through his work with Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and more, has died. He was 61.
Case against ex-Mountie charged with helping China can go ahead in Quebec, judge says
A Quebec court judge has ruled that the case against a former RCMP officer charged with helping China conduct foreign interference can go ahead in the province.
Ippei Mizuhara, ex-interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, will plead guilty in betting case
The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to bank and tax fraud in a sports betting case in which prosecutors allege he stole nearly US$17 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off debts, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.