Thread by @Mikeggibbs, Some may recall at the beginning of pandemic I warned of the [...]

Some may recall at the beginning of pandemic I warned of the danger of political interfearance w/ Public Health Ontario (PHO).

Bc the provincial govt has power to hide PHO advice from you.

BUT as I told the @the_905er podcast, PHO sends signals! I'll tell you what to look for.

How do I know? Signals were discussed with me as a strategy when I was Public Health Ontario's press secretary during Ebola and other crises whenever the Minister decided to gag us.

Note: Checking with PHO's lawyer, she told me it is uncertain if exercising this power is legal.

It is possible a court or public inquiry would find the govt legally cannot order PHO into silence.

There are arguments on both sides bc of grey spots with interpreting legislation.

But today, the government assumes absolute power whether it actually has it or not.

It's really just ONE signal.

But time and again, like during Ebola except for a producer at Global News Kathlene Calahan, the news media and the public misses it.

During pandemic, the signal almost works too well that it doesn't work at all.

ABSENCE.

I warned before pandemic was official:

If you don't see or hear from PHO's officials on a science decision, major or minor, it means:

Bad science and gagged

PHO expert advice was refused

PHO wasn't consulted, govt is cherry picking "experts" fr outside

There is NOTHING this government or any government wouldn't want more than...

Dr. Shelley Deeks (left: Health Protection, Vax expert) & Dr. Vanessa Allen (right: Microbiologist, Dr. Low's handpicked successor) front and center with media validating their every move on pandemic.

I guarantee that.

They are both credible, effective, assertive communicators *who also speak clearly* (ie: MILES ahead of the CMOH) who would quickly earn the faith of Ontarians.

Any politician would give their right arm to have them up on stage defending their decisions.

Any govt would *especially* this government. Who suffers a credibility and trust deficit, no matter the polls of the moment.

(Except the previous govt w/ a 'public health doctor' for a Health Minister who gagged PHO bc he was insecure. He wanted to be 'THE one and only expert')

I worked for Dr. Allen & Dr. Deeks as their press secretary at their side during crises like ebola and measles.

Today they are the two co-leaders of Public Health Ontario.

It's been a few years, but I knew them as people and leaders, well. Doubtful they've changed much.

I'm reluctant to share this because it was a personal moment but I think you need to know WHO they are to understand what is probably happening.

Why PHO is in virtual radio silence barely seen or heard from. Like when the govt makes major decisions that require a science backing

I was standing with Doctor Deeks trying to hail a cab for a short jaunt down University to Queen to CP24 and CTV because as usual, it was a crisis and everything was scheduled down to the minute between interviews and briefings. No time to walk it, she was going on air in minutes

So my time to brief her (the latest news and controversies with the measles crisis of that hour, questions to expect, suggestions for what to focus on etc) in this moment was super brief.

I was just happy she gave in to my harassment all day to leave her work to do media.

I had about 4 things I wanted her to digest before air. And of course I was struggling to hail a cab at the same time.

My first point was meant to be just a quick FYI, the other pts were more important.

Note:
BIG mistake. Brief with the most impt pt first for obvious reasons.

(I'm telling you these precise details of the moment so you understand how significant it was.

It was so important and so revealing about Dr. Deeks, and everything Public Health MUST be, it's locked in my head. I recall everything about it.)

My first point: "Dr. Deeks (I usually called them Doctor my preference to denote 'I'm not a science expert, your call what you want to say. I'm a mere comms person'.)

"Don't call X anti-vax leader 'a fraud' say 'wrong' etc bc Minister is watching for excuses to..."

Deeks

I was gun shy about strong passionate statements to media that caught traction and the minister's eye.

I was rattled after one of our best doctor communicators (who I also adored) was punished and BENCHED. The higher ups were sensitive about outshining His Royal Ministerness.

"Michael he's a fraud and I'm calling him a fraudster AND a con-man!"

(She DOUBLED down. I was distraught!)

"But Shelley (I switched to first name if I was upset) I don't want you to get fired! They will say you were unhinged! The minister wants any excuse to cut you down!"

And that was my 'tell'. Dr. Deeks picked it up right away.

I was being irrational.
(I cared about them)

With a twinkle in her eye, putting her hand on my shoulder, she said "Michael....

"If they get rid of me so what? I didn't come to work at Public Health for myself!

I do this because I wanted to serve. I want to help people. I'm not serving if I'm worried about a Minister or my career. I have a career to go to outside! They can't hurt me."

That's Dr. Deeks.

She will not spin for any government. She will not message or dial down the truth. Or play politics.

Because Public Health means something to her. It's about truth. And saving lives.

It's about serving us, the public. With science.

We had that profound, deep, yes a little corny, conversation while hailing a cab hurredly rushing to be at a studio on air with seconds to spare.

(News networks are actually very adaptable for time slots, I didn't need to be quite so strict about not being a minute late)

(Or they were then. With today's neverending rushed news tsunami and producing happening from home, I wonder how that changes their processes.)

Dr. Allen is the same as Dr. Deeks.

Same passion. Same resolute commitment to service. To serve us not power.

So, a few things are probably happening constantly during pandemic.

.../

1. PHO under Dr. Deeks and Dr. Allen (it was previously Dr. Donnelly, see note after thread) refuses to endorse or promote the govt's decisions they don't support.

The govt. kept asking. They kept refusing.

2. They are also gagged from airing their assessments.

= Radio silence

3. That led the government to freeze them out. They are not even consulted now.

It's quite possible they don't even see govt plans before they roll out! They see it when we see it.

They technically have a seat at the "Command Table". But that's it.

That's been obvious listening to Doctor Williams.

He makes glaring errors - incorrect science - he wouldn't make if PHO was vetting his materials ie: speaking notes/messages/products.

A standard rigorous process for MoH and PHO. That is NOT happening today. Williams wings it.

So what I mean by PHO is "gagged" is two things together:

PHO gags themselves from endorsing

+

Govt gags them on any terms that is not an endorsement

That's no change from previous govts.

That's *status quo*.

This is the way politicians regardless of party ruin public health in Ontario.

Cheating us of getting value from a major asset we invest in and pay for.

Sparking more to die horribly: 36 people since Wednesday.

(Fin)

Notes:
Org Background on Public Health Ontario

Dr. Peter Donnelly from Scotland, with no Ontario or Canadian health system experience, was serving as executive CEO, AND effectively operational leader of PHO.

Mixing things that should never mix in a public health org.

He took a sudden leave of absence just as pandemic was exploding in First Wave. And then resigned 3
Months later.

I know, I know. Fishy. Red flag.

We'll deal with whatever actually happened there, some other day. Bc it's not clear yet and we don't have time for it right now.

But that's why PHO is back under the control of credible scientists and doctors today (Dr. Deeks & Dr. Allen) instead of a DocPol (Dr. Donnelly).

It's ironic bc the person who replaced Donnelly as CEO is a "civilian" = serves science and health but is not a Doc/nurse/scientist.

This is PHO's top leadership today.

Deeks and Allen lead operational and policy advising efforts (SCIENCE).

Colleen is CEO but she sticks to administration: helping the org run smoothly.

You will probably never see Colleen speak during pandemic, esp about science or pandemic.

A big change from Peter to Colleen..quietly...is empowering science leaders to lead.

Donnelly, while a Doc, was like Williams and favored power and spin over science & truth. (GLARING examples in first days of pandemic)

So, BOTH of Ontario's top health officials were DocPols!

"DocPol" = a doctor who is in a public health or health leadership role. Extremely submissive and compliant with politicians or powerful interests who are not patients or people in need. They spin instead of truthtelling with science.

Disgraces to their profession.

Ontario walked into pandemic with the wrong people at the wrong time as CMOH and PHO CEO.

PLUS a hostile government.

Our position was (and is) far, far weaker than we knew.

As horrible as our situation is today, it probably would have been worse without the leadership change at PHO.

Now we have confirmation (as I predicted and expected and tweeted waaaaaaay back when PD first went on leave)...

Science leaders took charge at PHO and oppose Doug.

Yes, this will hurt your brain, but science takes back control at PHO under a CIVILIAN CEO who steps back and limits the CEO role to administration.

She gives Deeks and Allen the green light to lead for science.

Unlike her predecessor who was a doc but more DocPol than doc

Colleen's wise civilian leadership empowering science to stick up to Doug (remember, Donnelly was a happy lapdog just like Williams, Colleen shuts that down!)

Which would lead us to today's dramatic, historic event with Shelley's brave public stand against a premier....

Was spelled out in a statement announcing Peter's resignation in July.

It's subtle but this was a sign.

Translated this means: 'Shelley & Vanessa are in charge, I'm going to focus on making the org run better after Ford cutbacks. Bc I'm just a civilian. They lead for science!'

Ie: Colleen was telling us 'I am not going to stand in their way to please a premier!'

Colleen is doing the best she can to restore PHO to what it's supposed to be.

With Dr. Schwartz no doubt playing a very critical role too as a wise advisor and final approver while PHO has been opposing Doug at the mysterious "tables" every step of the way.

It sounds like PHO has struck a good balance with civilians helping scientists step up.

I couldn't be prouder that I once served them.

I am not surprised AT ALL. I fully expected this because I knew Shelley.

This is classic Shelley. She is pure guts, and heart, and honour, and public service.

PHO is back on its feet today. We would be wise to hear them.
(Fin)

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