There is nothing that the provincial government announced on Monday to stem the tide of COVID-19 that couldn’t have been put in effect weeks earlier. That from Saskatchewan NDP leader Ryan Meili who describes the Sask Party government’s approach to the second wave of the virus as chaotic. He says, “Schools are closing early while bars and restaurants remain open and family gatherings have been effectively reduced to zero, unless you meet for drinks or dinner of rent a hall.” Meili adds that no new measures were announced to protect those in long-term care facilities with 32 active outbreaks.

The NDP continues to urge the government to ask for the military’s help to help with under staffing at long-term care homes, as both Quebec and Ontario did earlier in the pandemic. Meili says workers are overwhelmed and increasing community transmission of the virus makes outbreaks in these facilities more likely.

Other measures the NDP would like to see are hiring the 300 continuing care aides announced during the throne speech now instead of next spring, introducing a standard of no more than two residents per room, and making sure there are in-person inspections at every long-term care facility with an outbreak, and that the results are made public.