Premier John Horgan speaks to reporters at a media briefing, April 9, 2020.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED / Province of B.C.
August 12, 2020 - 2:46 PM
B.C. premier John Horgan has called on some homegrown star power to help deal with the latest COVID-19 conundrum.
As the province’s COVID-19 numbers climb upward due to people in their 20s and 30s partying, the provincial government is looking for new tricks to make them change their ways.
Tapping into celebrity may be the ticket, according to Horgan.
“This is a callout to Deadpool, right now,” Horgan said. “Ryan (Reynolds)… get in touch with us. My number is on the internet. Seth Rogen — another outstanding British Columbian.”
The province needs to communicate with people who aren’t hearing them and Horgan said the two B.C. exports alone could help tremendously.
“There's a host of other options available and we're working as hard as we can to enlist the number of prominent British Columbians and prominent Canadians to help get that message through to the demographic that clearly isn't hearing our message,” he said.
The issue with 20- and 30-somethings created a new flood of COVID-19 cases that started around Canada Day, with parties in Kelowna. At last count, 161 local cases were attached to that event. There were also cascading effects, as tourist went home to other health jurisdictions with COVID-19.
B.C.’s top health official, Dr. Bonnie Henry has been appealing to people’s better nature, but the case numbers keep climbing, causing some to ask, why not apply stronger methods?
“We have been relying on people to use their good judgment and common sense and then we've had positive results because of that,” Horgan said. “About enforcement, it's available to us and if we need to be firmer on these issues we will.”
Horgan said he believes the public has started to better understand the issues at play since the uptick in case numbers.
“People have started to modify or moderate their behaviour in social settings and stick to the plan,” he said.
Horgan said Dr. Henry's been very very diligent in making sure that people clearly understand what needs to be done in terms of safe social connections.
“But we do need to get the message out to that the audience is not hearing us."
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