Call for B.C. inquiry after officials 'ignore the science' of airborne COVID-19 spread

One of the key figures in Canada’s inquiry into the SARS outbreak is calling for an inquiry into B.C.’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, describing the province's rejection of scientific evidence a failure that likely cost lives.

One of the key figures in Canada’s inquiry into the SARS outbreak is calling for an inquiry into B.C.’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, describing the province's rejection of scientific evidence a failure that likely cost lives.

Mario Possamai, a pandemic planning expert, forensic investigator and senior advisor to Ontario’s SARS commission, described British Columbia’s handling of the 2003 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome as “the best in the world,” having shown the value of recognising airborne spread of that virus and the value of the precautionary principle – but that those lessons have been lost in the COVID-19 response, he said.

"Month after month after month, week after week, B.C. decided not to follow the science and ignore [airborne transmission] and I think it's lead to preventable deaths and infections,” he said, describing aerosol spread as the province’s Achilles heel.

“The precautionary principle is really a continuum of decision-making, so what that means is that if the weight of evidence changes, you can change course and you can do things differently."

Possamai urged premier John Horgan to immediately strike a public inquiry in order to adapt effective measures right away to help stem the fourth wave and adopt best practices for future waves and viruses. 

CTV News Vancouver has asked the provincial health officer about airborne transmission of COVID-19 on several occasions, but provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has downplayed the importance of aerosol spread of the virus when asked, only occasionally referencing ventilation.

“Washing your hands regularly, staying home when you're unwell, wearing your mask -- particularly when you're around other people who are more vulnerable and in public spaces, keeping your distance form other sand getting vaccinated," she said in her opening remarks on Tuesday. "What we are asking people to do is not new, but we know it works."