Hesitancy, relief amid relaxed mask rules

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This article was published 09/05/2023 (1059 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Brandon mother who receives regular medical treatments says she will continue to wear a face mask inside the hospital even after the province lifts the requirement this week, to protect others and her own family.

Jessica Onofriechuk, who gets intravenous treatment at Brandon Regional Health Centre every four months, said it’s about the big picture and thinking of others. Her seven-year-old son has a compromised immune system and has tested positive for COVID-19 three times.

“I’ll wear the mask to protect other people, because I know what it’s like to have an immune system that’s shot,” Onofriechuk said.

“I’d rather not wear one, but if I have to, I will. It is what it is.”

As of Wednesday, masks will no longer be mandatory in most acute, long-term and community settings, according to Shared Health. But there are exceptions, including cancer or organ-transplant programs where there are patients whose immune systems are compromised.

The decision is based on advice from infection prevention and control experts and reflect the changes seen with virus transmission in Manitoba over the past year, said Shared Health’s chief nursing officer, Monika Warren.

Health-care settings and facilities will continue to be “mask-friendly,” and masks will still be available at many main entrances, Warren said in a news release.

While Mark Schroeder agrees with the province removing the mask mandate, he said vulnerable people still need protection, like his 90-year-old mother who is recovering from a broken shoulder in Assiniboine Centre, a rehabilitation facility at BRHC.

“I’m comfortable with the masks coming off in most conditions, because I think there are still times when they’re necessary, like in places with elderly people, or if I’m taking a crowded transit bus, then I will wear one,” said Schroeder.

According to data from Prairie Mountain Health, the number of reported COVID-19 cases for the last week of April totalled 1,241 compared to 15,947 last fall, when Canada’s chief public health officer warned that cases were at their peak.

The number of COVID infections are declining across Manitoba, too. In the same reporting period of the last week of April, COVID-19 cases and hospital admissions decreased when compared to the week before, as did the incidence rate for people aged 80 years and older, according to the Manitoba Public Health website.

Currently, there are four outbreaks in health-care facilities across Prairie Mountain Health.

The three COVID outbreaks are on the second and third floors of the Assiniboine Centre as well as the Sandy Lake Personal Care Home, and the respiratory outbreak is at the McCreary-Alonsa Health Centre.

That’s why officials with PMH reminded people that during outbreaks, protocols at all facilities will be followed including hand sanitizing and wearing a clean medical mask.

Anyone who has cold or flu-like symptoms such as a cough, runny nose or sore throat is asked to stay home, and no visitors will be allowed in personal care homes, until the outbreak is over.

“For individuals experiencing a significant illness or health event, we want to ensure the environments they visit within our facilities offer them every possible measure to protect their health and wellness,” a PMH spokesperson said in an email.

Manitoba is one of the last provinces to lift mask mandates in health-care facilities. In Saskatchewan and B.C., masks were made optional for hospital staff, patients and visitors in early April, and in Alberta, masks are still required, but in waiting rooms only.

Masks are there for the protection of patients and health-care providers, said Darlene Jackson, president of the Manitoba Nurses Union.

“For the MNU, we know that COVID-19 isn’t gone and that we have members who will want to maintain the precautions they have been employing for several years now,” she said.

As he finished his workday at a restaurant inside the hospital, 18-year-old Justin Boutilier said he understands how important it is to wear a mask but is looking forward to the change.

“I agree with the fact that we had to wear a mask, because I didn’t want to get anybody that’s compromised sick if I had something and didn’t realize it. But to tell you the truth, the prospect of not being required to wear a mask is kind of exciting.”

» mmcdougall@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @enviromichele