We are initiating this petition and urge the Provincial Government of Manitoba to 

1. Stop Mask Confusion by asking the public to wear face masks!

2. Provide front-line workers in healthcare, retail, transit and other public service providers with face masks and protective equipment!

3. Increase the production capacity of medical equipment in Manitoba required to fight Covid-19 or speed up its purchase globally!

"To wear a mask or not to wear a mask?" This has been a divisive line between the public, due to ambiguous signals and confusing directions given by political leaders. Sufficient evidence has shown that people who are tested positive for Covid-19 can be without symptoms. This means that wearing a mask in public is NECESSARY to protect oneself and others. We urge the Pallister Government to Increase the production capacity of medical equipment in Manitoba required to fight Covid-19 or speed up its purchase globally. We also call Provincial Government to provide front-line workers in healthcare, retail, transit and other public service providers with face masks and protective equipment. It is heartbreaking and worrisome when we see doctors, nurses, medical staff, bus drivers, delivery workforce, and cashiers serve us without protection. Learn from Taiwan, Singapore and South Korea who flattened the curve by providing their citizens masks. 

The media reports below demonstrate the political confusion regarding wearing face masks. This confusion could unnecessarily cost the lives of countless Manitobans, many of which put their lives at risk to serve the rest of us. Please consider signing this petition and demand that the Manitoba Government protect front-line workers and the public. 

--April 1, 2020, CNN reporter James Griffiths cited, “During the 2003 SARS epidemic in support of wearing masks, a study of community transmission in Beijing found that "consistently wearing a mask in public was associated with a 70% reduction in the risk of catching SARS. SARS, like Covid-19, is a respiratory illnesses caused by the same family of viruses called coronavirus.” (https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/01/asia/coronavirus-mask-messaging-intl-hnk/index.html

--April 1, 2020, CDC’s director Redfield is recommending the public to wear mask because people who are positive can be asymptomatic  (https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/01/asia/coronavirus-mask-messaging-intl-hnk/index.html

--April 1, 2020, Canada’s Chief Health Officer Terea Tam “Wearing a mask if you want” (https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/hajdu-tam-face-masks-wearing-public-1.5518012

--March 30, 2020, Canada’s Chief Health Officer Terea Tam, Wearing a Mask is not recommended “https://www.mygrandeprairienow.com/68624/canadas-top-doctor-says-wearing-a-mask-is-not-recommended/

--March 18, 2020, Toronto Transit Commission allowed its workers to wear mask to prevent work refusal  (https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/toronto/article-ridership-on-go-transit-falls-80-per-cent-as-coronavirus-hits-public/

--January 27 2020, Chief Medical Officer of Health in Ontario deemed wearing mask not necessary (https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/can-face-masks-protect-you-from-the-coronavirus-experts-weigh-in-1.4786014

Stay Home, Wear a Mask in Public, and Flatten the Curve!

Petition initiated by: 

Dr. Fang Wan, Professor of Marketing, Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba

Dr. Jiuyong Xie, Professor of Physiology & Pathophysiology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba 

Dr. Ganghong Tian, Affiliate Professor of Physiology & Pathophysiology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba 

Bo Xiang, research technician, department  of Pharmacology, university of Manitoba

Shujun Huang, computational biologist, BC Cancer Genome Science Center

Shu Zhu,  Chinese Program Coordinator, Asian Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Manitoba 

Xing Wei, Wuhan University Alumnus, Resident of Winnipeg 

Xiaobing Han, Wuhan University Alumna, resident of Winnipeg

Claire Venevongsa, Owner, Pad Thai, Authentic Thai Restaurants

Zhen Liu, CEO, Silex Fiber Glass Windows and Doors

Nick Nie, CEO, Fast Signs

April 2, 2020, Winnipeg