“I’m trying to catch the attention of the few”: Horgan responds after criticizing young people in BC
BC Premier John Horgan explained his actions on Tuesday after calling out 20 to 39-year-olds for failing to follow COVID-19 rules and restrictions.
On Monday afternoon, Horgan joined Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix as the province announced “circuit breaker” COVID-19 restrictions.
During that time, he addressed BC’s younger demographic, saying that they put the rest of BC “in a challenging situation.”
“The cohort from 20 to 39-year-olds are not paying as much attention to these broadcasts, and frankly are putting the rest of us in a challenging situation,” he said. “My appeal to you is do not blow this for the rest of us.”
- See also:
Horgan has since taken to social media, saying that he’s “trying to catch the attention of the few who refuse to follow the public health restrictions.”
He also thanked the “vast majority of young people doing everything they can.”
My #1 concern is protecting people from this aggressive virus and getting through this last mile safely.
I’m trying to catch the attention of the few who refuse to follow the public health restrictions.
To the vast majority of young people doing everything they can: thank you.
— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) March 30, 2021
From day 1, we’ve followed the science & worked to fight transmission where data shows it happening.
Dr. Henry has expressed concern about increased cases in people aged 20-39 and has said contact tracing shows indoor social gatherings are a major driver of recent transmission.
— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) March 30, 2021
“No question, most young people have made tremendous sacrifices to fight COVID-19,” the Premier tweeted. “They’re also more often working front-line jobs or living with roommates.”
No question, most young people have made tremendous sacrifices to fight COVID-19. They’re also more often working front-line jobs or living with roommates.
Reports of more young people getting sicker due to new variants have kept us up at night.https://t.co/TD0uSFqHfh
— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) March 30, 2021
Vaccines give us hope for the better days ahead, but we need to do everything we can together these next three weeks to help us get there.
— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) March 30, 2021
On Monday afternoon, health officials in British Columbia announced 2,518 new test-positive COVID-19 cases since Friday, bringing the total number of recorded cases in the province to 98,165.
The “circuit breaker” restrictions that were announced came into effect at midnight last night and will be in place until April 19, 2021. These measures include shutting down indoor dining at restaurants, bars, and pubs; pausing indoor, adult group fitness activities; suspending indoor religious worship services, and closing down Whistler Blackcomb ski resort.
Monday’s case numbers are the highest seen in BC since the second wave for the COVID-19 pandemic.