Calling all BC Physicians to Read, Sign & Share

100's of physicians from across Saskatchewan are calling on their business community to join healthcare providers in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Let's do the same here in British Columbia. 

This is here. This is real. We need your help.

Here is an open letter to the British Columbian business community Re: A call to action for British Columbian businesses to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

Please, we beg you, join us in battling this disease. The recently declared State of Health Emergency in British Columbia has resulted in the closure of high-risk businesses (gyms, fitness centres, etc.) and suggested strategies to mitigate spread to others. While we support these measures, we call on the British Columbian business community to go even further and proactively close or transform their businesses in a way that eliminates person-to-person interaction. This will be a painful but necessary way to prevent community transmission of COVID-19. The downstream impact of early action by our business community will save lives and give our healthcare system a fighting chance. We would not ask this of you if we thought there was any other way.

We are so grateful to those of you who have already taken initiatives to protect British Columbia from COVID-19. By closing your doors, becoming ‘take-out only’, allowing your employees to work from home, waiving the need for sick notes, and discouraging non-essential movement within our community, you have shown that you understand the threat that we are facing. We see the sacrifices you are making and thank you for this selfless act. We also understand that many of you have not made these changes for any number of reasons, including the very real threat to you and your employees' livelihood. We look to the Government of British Columbia and the Federal Government to develop programs to support you and your employees in what may be a long disruption.

Until recently, this virus seemed very far away. However, COVID-19 is here and we cannot wait any longer. With a current ~250 cases of COVID19, and now, having lost a member of our community to COVID19, BC has the highest number of cases in Canada. The declaration of a health state of emergency in British Columbia underscores this point. The countries that it has overwhelmed have given us the gifts of time and an approach to slow its spread. However, this disease is unique in that no matter what we do as healthcare providers, we will be overrun without your help. You are leaders in our community and your early and proactive response will help to convey the gravity of the situation while limiting its spread. Lives depend on this.

Regardless of our community's response, we will continue to do everything that we possibly can to keep you and your family safe if and when you fall ill. Now, more than ever, we are in this together.