Tell policy-makers NO to dropping masks in BC healthcare
This form lets you email DOZENS of BC decision-makers at once – from your MLA, to Health Minister Adrian Dix, to Dr. Bonnie Henry and many more! Just enter your address to help find your local representative. Then review the email wording and subject line, and send!
Note: the “Action Network” tool requires a return address so that the system can find your MLA. If you prefer not to enter your address, you also can use our template wording to email policy-makers yourself.
On April 8, 2024, BC abruptly dropped mask requirements for healthcare settings – disregarding guidance from doctors, researchers, and the BC Human Rights Commissioner. The move also shut out the voices of many vulnerable British Columbians, who in the last couple weeks have sent over 18,000 messages calling to maintain and improve healthcare mask protections.
BC claims the downgrade was due to the end of “respiratory illness season” – yet NACI states COVID is not regarded as seasonal. The last time BC dropped healthcare masking, it was followed by multiple COVID outbreaks. This current move comes right after spring break, when increased travel can fuel illness spread – and at a time when continued COVID risks are accompanied by warnings about increased measles, tuberculosis, and H5N1 (avian influenza).
We call on BC to immediately reinstate healthcare mask requirements for healthcare workers, contractors, volunteers and visitors. There is no acceptable level of avoidable infection in healthcare. We also echo our previous demands:
- include patients in universal healthcare mask protections (with reasonable exceptions);
- improve airborne precautions with wider use of respirators, as the only masks designed for airborne illnesses;
- require masks in private and community healthcare settings like doctor’s offices and medical labs.
Let’s get LOUD.
We brought back masks before, and we can do it again! After you’ve sent some emails, be sure to take the next steps:
1. Do the survey
Until April 19th, tell the BC NDP what you care about this election year, for healthcare and more!
2. Leave a message
Use our short phone script and leave a message for your MLA and other policy-makers.
3. Send a fax
Use our template letter to send free faxes online. It’s like an email they can’t delete.
4. Send postcards
Send our printable postcards (or any card you have) – mail to MLAs and Ministers is free!
More on why this matters
“If there is one space that all vulnerable people should be able to rely on to prioritize their safety, it is in healthcare settings, including long term care facilities…removal of universal masking directives in healthcare settings does not uphold a human rights centred approach to public health.”
BC Human Rights Commissioner, April 3, 2023
Past version
About Us
We’re a non-partisan action group of British Columbians advocating for evidence-based safety measures in high-risk settings.