We’re in an ‘escalating arms race’ with the virus. Our fighting chance requires vigilance – and patience.
Since vaccines began rolling out late last year, many British Columbians have wondered whether the shot would be their pass to hug an elderly loved one, shed their mask or plan postponed weddings.
Not so fast, says provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. She says British Columbians should still prepare for a spring similar to last year’s.
Travel for spring break in March is out of the question, said Henry, and we likely won’t be taking off our masks this calendar year.
But Henry did offer hope for more gatherings and travel with Canada by mid-year. “I absolutely think by summer we’re going to be in a very different situation. As long as we can hold our line right now,” she said on Jan. 26.
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“If transmission stays high here, it could just as easily be a B.C. variant people are worried about,” said Jeffrey Joy, an assistant professor of medicine and expert in evolutionary genetics of infectious diseases at the University of British Columbia.
B.C. reported 40 cases of variants of concern last week, which have emerged from the United Kingdom, South Africa, Nigeria and Brazil in recent months.