Advocacy for continued precautions in virus season

November 15, 2022

Dear Members,

As school settles in and respiratory viruses surge, the AMA has been advocating on social media platforms to encourage Albertans to take preventive precautions, including masking in crowded venues and vaccination for COVID and seasonal influenza.

We are heading into a severe winter virus season that physician experts warn will worsen. Emergency departments and hospitals are already overstrained with a surge of respiratory viruses and particularly, RSV in children. This is complicated by the existing base of COVID cases, the care deficit backlog and fatigued health provider teams.

I would like to commend Minister Copping for continuing to engage with the AMA on health-related matters and taking further steps to shore up the health workforce and maintain access as experience and evidence require.

You are always welcome to share your thoughts with me. You can email me via president@albertadoctors.org. You can also comment on this letter on the AMA website.
 
Regards,

fred Rinaldi, MD, CCFP, FCFP, LLB, MBA, MPA(HSA), BCom
President, Alberta Medical Association
 
"Fate whispers to the warrior, 'You can not withstand the storm.' The warrior whispers back, 'I am the storm.'"