Alberta is finding success in limiting the spread of the COVID-19 virus to the point certain sections of the province are slowly being allowed to reopen.
The valiant sacrifices of Albertans have allowed for a tentative three-staged Alberta Economic Relaunch. These slowly phased steps will allow us to gradually return to a semblance of normal life.
However, this relaunch would not be possible without the heroic efforts of our front-line workers.
Courageous EMS, RCMP, Fire Services, grocery store workers and other essential workers have stepped up in Alberta’s time of need and helped everyone weather the devastating effects of the COVID-19 virus.
Their heroic sacrifices and dedication to keeping people safe can serve as inspiration for all of us as we continue to follow public health measure guidelines and protocols.
Preliminary steps are being taken to slowly reopen the Alberta economy— and outdoor recreation spaces, some Alberta Health Services elective surgeries, some allied health services and religious services were launched as early as May 4.
If success is found in the early stages of the relaunch, the province can transition to Stage One as early as May 14 and retail services, hair styling and barbering, daycares, restaurants, cafés and bars with a 50 per cent occupancy limit, museums, art galleries, additional outdoor recreation and allied health services can reopen.
It is essential to begin the work of reopening businesses in Alberta because the economy is in dire straits.a
“I won’t sugar coat reality– the truth is we still face the most severe economic conditions since the Great Depression of the 1930s, and it will take heroic effort and determination to get Alberta working and growing again,” said Alberta Premier Jason Kenney. “Together, Albertans have responded to the worst global pandemic in over a century with a great deal of common sense, but also making tremendous sacrifices and demonstrating great resilience.”
That spirit will need to be carried forward as we begin to reopen sections of the province.
As the Alberta Economic Relaunch takes place, it is pivotal to remember that nothing is set in stone— How the reopening goes is in our hands and based on our ability to strictly follow emergency public health protocols.
Public health will be closely monitoring rates of infection in the province, the number of hospitalizations and intensive care unit admissions. If these numbers increase, we may see restrictions return, if we help keep them low we can see restrictions eased sooner than expected.
We need to follow the lead of the province's valiant front-line workers and do everything we can to help keep each other safe because we must begin to safely open our economy.
The most powerful way we can express our thanks to front-line workers is by doing our part in helping prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Alberta.
To quote Cochrane Alliance Church pastor Larry Charter— “It’s been said that gratitude is the greatest virtue that any human being can show and I think this is just a small way of showing gratitude.”
