I need everyone to understand that paramedics need the #COVID19AB vaccine ASAP, and that does NOT mean April 2021, as we were just told.

Paramedics, multiple times DAILY, are going into facilities on outbreaks, into private residences where all members of the household are positive, and in both instances, people who are symptomatic are NOT wearing masks.

Whether or not they’re unable or unwilling, it’s irrelevant. Fact is, we’re missing a crucial step in prevention of spread.

We often times are spending 20+ minutes on scene just assessing and figuring out a plan, before we even proceed to transport, if warranted.

I’ll add the caveat that EMS in Canada does not have the privilege of some other commonwealth countries that allow providers to decline transporting a patient (if meeting a criteria); it’s a literal “you call, we haul” situation.

When people who are hemodynamically stable, COVID-19 positive, and walking out the front door to me, I have no choice but to lock myself into a small box with poor ventilation, and take them to a facility.

When EMS encounters anyone who is experiencing flu-like symptoms, we must wear the N95 masks. I’ve always understood it was due to the uncontrolled environment, and today I read an article that explains it so much better. https://twitter.com/weselymd/status/1339060194660282374

We’re literally trapped in a box <3 feet away from patients sick with #covid19ab for near 12 hours a day.

I say ‘near 12 hours a day’ because fact of the matter is, is that people lie about symptoms, about swabs being positive, about close contacts, all of it.

We really fucked up as a society early on with this, and created such a terrible stigma surrounding catching this bug that now no one wants to admit that they’ve got/had it.

Ok, I’m getting off topic now; to circle back.. EMS *needs* this vaccine now, 5 months from now.

As bitter of a pill to swallow as it is, I get that ICU/Crit Care staff are way harder to replace than EMS, but we are also told daily by the general public that they, “could never do what you do”, and that means something.

I’ve had multiple colleagues, and the list continues to grow, who are being taken out by this virus and getting very sick from it. This doesn’t have to keep happening.

(Actually a whole hell of a lot of the medical and economic devastation didn’t have to happen but c’est la vie)

I need @YourAlberta, @CMOH_Alberta, @ahs_ems, @AHS_media, @shandro, @jkenney, to step up and work to protect a very niche set of employees.

ETA: This is obviously seeing a lot of views, so I’m going to throw out there that hopefully this is an oversight of speech and by first responders maybe she meant fire & police maybe @CMOH_Alberta can clarify?

Secondary add: *how to help* email [email protected] and raise your concerns. Don’t bother phoning the HM office; it just tells you how to email. You CAN contact your MLA’s office though, and they should answer phones. Another help is contacting @DShepYEG since he’s the

Official Opp Health Critic!