With hundreds of new cases of COVID-19 still being found in Alberta every day, is it time for the Kenney government to step up enforcement of existing rules?
That’s a question that is being asked in many communities, including in this region. Whether the government is prepared to make a much greater effort to penalize those who decide that following the rules isn’t something they are prepared to do remains to be seen.
What is known is that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over in Alberta – or anywhere else – and as such, individuals of all ages in every community remain at risk of serious illness or even death.
On the anti-restriction side, there continue to be many high-profile cases where groups, including some churches, and events such as anti-restriction rallies are completely ignoring Alberta Health orders.
On the other side, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health says restrictions remain in place in an effort to stop the spread of the disease, including the new highly-contagious variants that are now being seen across the province.
Whether the decision to allow some individuals and groups to operate outside the law has anything to do with politics remains an open question.
Of course if the government has decided that enforcement of the health measures is not worth the trouble, then those orders are worthless and should be withdrawn without delay.
A recent Albertan online poll found 62 per cent of respondents believe event organizers who break COVID rules should be jailed.
With the deadly COVID pandemic going on and on, it’s high time for the Kenney government to decide whether COVID rules are for everyone or no one.
Dan Singleton is an editor with The Albertan.
