Lethbridge mayor urging residents to get vaccinated and follow all health protocols

The mayor said that, “the overall message is really to control the spread and I think it’s an opportunity for Lethbridge and those in Lethbridge to make sure that we’re doing our best to control that spread.”

He addressed concerns about the economy, and the impact restrictions have had and will continue to have on local businesses, saying that, “the only way we’re going to keep our businesses open in the long run is if we can get ahead of the virus; make sure that people are vaccinated, and limit further spread.”

Spearman remarked that the restrictions send “an important message that we keep each other safe.”

“I’m happy to see that the Premier has stepped up and increased the restrictions in order to get ahead of this.”

He added that, “anybody who is not abiding by the health orders and encouraging others to not abide by the health orders is really undermining the message and potentially harming public health in our city.”

LOCAL CONCERNS

Spearman cited demonstrations held in Lethbridge as of late blasting health protocols are cause for concern.

He said that he’s “had complaints about the demonstrations on Mayor Magrath Drive. I’m very troubled that I heard there were demonstrators harassing people going for their vaccines.”

“I’m very concerned there was a demonstration last Saturday in front of the Chinook Regional Hospital, where the people inside are trying to safe lives – I think that’s disrespectful.”

Spearman stated that it’s time for the community to work together.

“I think it’s past the time for people to express their disagreement. Everyone has to work together to keep each other safe. We all have to follow the health orders, we all have to wash our hands regularly, we all have to wear masks, we all have to keep each other safe.”

The mayor provided a message to those not following health measures.

“They’re really only hurting their friends and their neighbors [people defying rules] and their economy. Anybody who is choosing to deliberately skirt the rules, they’re just hurting everybody in our city and prolonging the lockdowns.”

Spearman added that, “if you’re opposed to these lockdowns, they will end sooner if everybody complies. They will drag out if people do not comply and we continue to have outbreaks.”

He said the last thing Lethbridge wants is to be leading the province in terms of cases per 100,000 people.

“We need to be leading the province in terms of the lowest number of cases per 100,000 and sending the message that the city of Lethbridge is a safe place to be. That’s where we need to get to.”

WHERE ARE CASES COMING FROM?

Spearman referenced information from Alberta Health Services (AHS) that the “vast amount of community transmission is happening through social interactions.”

“People are bored, we understand that, they’re frustrated, they want to see their families, they want to see their friends, but inappropriate social gatherings are a problem and we’re seeing people gathering socially and taking COVID-19 into their workplaces. It’s being walked into the schools. The whole challenge is getting people to abide by the health orders.”

“If we can do this for the next few weeks while people get vaccinated, we can get past this.”

VACCINES

On Wednesday morning, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announced that COVID-19 vaccine eligibility was being expanded to all Albertans aged 30 and up as of Thursday, May 6, and expanding further to include Albertans aged 12 and up as of May 10.

READ MORE: All Albertans aged 12 and up eligible for vaccine May 10

Mayor Spearman believes there has been reluctance by some to get their COVID-19 vaccine but supports the decision to expand vaccine eligibility, noting it’s important that no vaccine goes to waste.

“The more people who have received vaccinations, the quicker we will get past this crisis.”

He said Lethbridge must get to a point “where our communities are safe”.

Spearman commented that, “if businesses are to stay open and there’s to be any predictability, we really have to beat the virus and the only way to do that is through the vaccines.”

He said the next three weeks of the latest restrictions are very important and hopes to see case numbers go down significantly.

“Our economy will struggle, our educational institutions will struggle, we will struggle as communities if we cannot overcome this and the important thing is to follow the health orders and get vaccinated.”

Last month, Spearman appeared in a joint video with other Alberta mayors asking the public to take the pandemic seriously. That can be viewed below.

(Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo on YouTube)

by Justin Goulet

Lethbridge mayor urging residents to get vaccinated and follow all health protocols

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