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Alberta Premier Embraces Diverse Perspectives of COVID-19 Task Force


Alberta Premier Danielle Smith expresses uncertainty regarding which recommendations she will adopt from a recent COVID-19 response report she commissioned, emphasizing her commitment to considering all perspectives.
The COVID-19 Pandemic Response report, issued on Jan. 24 by a task force created in 2022, urges the province to discontinue the use of COVID-19 vaccines on children and adolescents. It also suggests that medical professionals should be allowed to explore alternative treatments for combating the virus.

The report has been criticized by the opposition NDP, certain doctors and academics, Alberta Medical Association president Dr. Shelley Duggan, and Canadian Medical Association president Dr. Joss Reimer, who have denounced it as “anti-science.”

Smith affirms the importance of not silencing dissenting voices in the realm of science and states that her government will carefully evaluate all perspectives before making decisions based on evidence. She made these remarks in response to a journalist’s query during an unrelated press conference on Jan. 29.

The premier expresses her satisfaction with the diverse group of doctors who contributed to the task force and their efforts to examine existing processes, identify potential shortcomings, and review contentious issues such as the efficacy of masks and vaccines for children.

The task force, comprised of medical professionals and academics, led by Dr. Gary Davidson and Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, delved into the processes involved in responding to the pandemic.

The report highlights a critical failure in the development, sharing, and response to COVID-19 data and information within Alberta’s health system, raising ongoing concerns.

It criticizes Alberta’s regulatory bodies for following directives from the chief medical officer of health without conducting internal reviews, limiting the range of viable responses to COVID-19.

Key recommendations from the report include full disclosure of risks before administering COVID-19 vaccines, halting vaccines for healthy minors, and further research on vaccine effectiveness. It questions the efficacy of lockdowns and mask mandates, advocating for personal medical decisions on mask-wearing supported by proper education.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.



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