Province issues call for volunteer help during pandemic

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This article was published 03/11/2020 (1988 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Premier Brian Pallister’s call for volunteers to assist in the COVID-19 pandemic response is a penny-pinching proposal, aiming to draw media attention away from the ICU crisis hospitals now face, the Opposition alleges. 

“It seems like the premier is trying to get away with not spending any money and earning some positive media coverage but not actually stepping up with any direct actions that are going to make the pandemic a little bit easier to make it through for all of us here in Manitoba,” NDP Leader Wab Kinew said Tuesday during a scrum with reporters.

Manitobans are being asked to volunteer (via an online tool set up in March) for work such as COVID-19 health screening at test sites, Pallister said during a news conference Tuesday morning, calling it a short-term need for surge help. 

“In the interests of time, and in the interests of, frankly, taking advantage of the caring nature of Manitobans a bit, we want to access some help quickly,” the premier said. 

With Manitoba facing its most serious crisis in generations, the province should be hiring workers, not taking advantage of people, Kinew said. 

“There are people out there who could be hired right now,” the Opposition leader said. “The premier has to recognize we’re not going to get out of this situation on the cheap. We need investment, we need hiring, and we need a stronger response than we’ve seen so far.” 

The government should not be permanently expanding the civil service because of the pandemic, Pallister said.

“We’re all hoping and praying this is a short-term need for surge help.”

The renewed call for volunteers through the Help Next Door MB program comes during the second day of code red restrictions in Winnipeg.

“This seems like another half-baked plan, a day late and a dollar short,” Bob Moroz, president of the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals, said in an email Tuesday.

“The premier cut front-line health-care staffing to the bone to save money, and now he’s asking Manitobans to volunteer to pick up the slack and put themselves at risk. He should make sure we have enough qualified allied health and other professionals, and that they’re properly protected and supported, instead of allowing staff shortages and outbreaks in hospitals and personal care homes.”

Meanwhile, the province is asking for public feedback on the idea of implementing a nightly curfew.

More than 3,000 people filled out an online survey on the possible measure after it was posted Monday, Pallister said, noting the government will announce its decision this week.”This is a societal challenge that is best addressed by having people buy into the proposals that we make,” the premier said.

“It’s not a time to permanently expand our civil service because of this pandemic. We’re all hoping and praying this is a short-term need for surge help.” – Premier Brian Pallister

“No amount of government planning or government insistence is going to improve that. My ‘stern daddy’ appeals to you to follow the rules have not fallen on deaf ears entirely, I hope, but for some people, they just don’t seem to get the message. But the more people that do and the more people that have a chance to participate in the design of our programs, I feel, the better possibility that they’ll work.”

Using a sports analogy to defend himself and the provincial government, the premier said the public shouldn’t be “blaming the coach” during the pandemic.

More than 7,000 Manitobans from 176 communities across the province signed up to use the Help Next Door MB online service, which matches volunteers with people who need help with issues such as grocery and prescription deliveries and shovelling snow.

“The need is still there, and as we approach the winter months, and with many Manitobans doing their part and staying home, this can be a very lonely time for many people, it can be an isolating time for Manitobans, especially our seniors,” Pallister said. 

“This is a time where your help will be needed.” 

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca 

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca