Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During the most recent outbreak in Yellowknife, like many members, many of my constituents turned to me for answers. And despite having multiple outbreaks across the NWT at different periods and being in this for a year and a half, it is clear we did not have many of the basic answers.
Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of lessons to learn as we move through this. But I suggest if we have to impose isolation on people, the first thing we do is send a personalized email to those people. I would suggest that email say: "You're receiving this email because you have potentially been exposed to COVID-19. Thank you for your sacrifice for keeping our community safe. If you need support over the course of your isolation, please use the resources listed in this email".
Mr. Speaker, many of my constituents did not receive contact from Public Health throughout their entire isolation unless they made a point of calling. It wasn't until days 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 that people started to hear from Public Health, Mr. Speaker.
Additionally, Mr. Speaker, the first thing that email should do is set out the difference between self-isolation and isolation. Many of my constituents had self-isolated before. They understood what 14 days looked like - being able to go for walks or runs or skis to get outside. Many of them thought we had reduced it to eight days with a negative test. However they were not self-isolating during the outbreak; they were in insolation. Many constituents did not know that we had the power to confine people to their property to 14 days and require them and all of their family members to get multiple tests before they were released. They were operating under the presumption that they were self-isolating.
They understood how self-isolation worked if they were essential workers. How they could go to work if they were essential. How self-isolation worked. Many of us have done self-isolation we've experienced this. But this was not self-isolation. And it wasn't until days 5, 6, 7, that people truly understood what they were in for the multiple testing requirements they needed and that, in fact, it might go well beyond 14 days depending on test results and the workings of your multiple family members.
Mr. Speaker, in that email, I think a number of resources need to be provided. Telehealth appointments for those experiencing mental health concerns.
Mr. Speaker, a lot more answers to the 'why'. Mr. Speaker, asking someone to be confined to their property for 14 days is one of the most significant infringement of Charter rights we can do. We must at least answer 'why'. Why going for a walk, fully vaccinated without a mask, was such a risk that we had to maintain. I still don't have that answer, Mr. Speaker. I will have questions for the Minister of Health.