New Brunswick: Die... in this place
Demonstration calls on Public Health to increase COVID protection measures as cases continue to rise throughout the province.
On April 20th, a group of PoPNB members organized a public demonstration and peaceful protest in front of the building of the Chief Medical Officer of Health (Public Health) in Fredericton.
Participants gathered in the form of a die-in (a form of protest and public demonstration where participants simulate being dead) to provide a physical visualization of the lives lost to Covid-19 from Public Health's lack of recommendations of strong protections against the disease.
Since March 14, all public health measures were lifted and Covid-19 cases have continued to increase. This could have been mitigated with continued disease prevention strategies in place, such as universal masking, physical distancing, and limited contacts.
Premier Higgs, Minister Cardy, and Minister Shephard have all deferred to following guidance and recommendations from Public Health. New Brunswick Medical Society, New Brunswick Nurses Union, Disability organizations, and many doctors throughout the New Brunswick and neighbouring provinces have insisted that universal masking must be reimplemented in schools to decrease the spread of Covid-19.
Public Health has shown their February modeling is faulty and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell has not done a public press conference in nearly two months. The absence and lack of reliable data from this organization is literally killing people. This is what the protest demonstration sought to visualize.
Organizer Cheryl Johnson stated:
"We need Public Health to revisit their modelling. Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland ALL have universal masking in schools. New Brunswick is the exception, and we now have the highest hospitalization rates ever. We must listen to the doctors and nurses in the hospitals and bring masking back in settings with vulnerable populations to protect people and slow the spread of COVID-19. Now."
Some protesters were unable to attend because they themselves were Covid positive or were caring for Covid positive family members.
The group were met with support from passers by and later shared their experiences.
“Everyone walking by was pretty kind, my favourite passerby said "Thank you, people are still dying!" Aside from a jokey comment from a truck, no one was mean, though we had some friends on standby a few feet away as we were in a vulnerable position.
“Like [others] pointed out, we were smaller than expected because many of the people who were initially coming ended up getting Covid and we were trying to keep it to a group of under ten anyways to avoid being a superspreader - so losing some numbers due to Covid took a chunk out of things.
“Appreciated being able to take some time to remind people that the pandemic is still happening and that mass-reinfection is not sustainable. We need to bring back protections, especially in the case of care homes and schools where the vulnerable people being cared for are at the mercy of those facilities.”
“Despite being small, I think the die in protest accomplished what we intended. We have no intention of "taking over the city" or intimidating people like the anti-mask convoy… It seems a bit silly to try and compare us to the convoy with these details in mind.
“I also think because there were so few of us, and we were not yelling at anyone, people felt comfortable approaching and asking questions about why we were there. Most of the responses we got were very positive and supportive, even a few from people leaving the HBSC building. Several people walking by told us we were brave and they wished they had the guts to do what we were doing.
“Overall, I think these kinds of small demonstrations have an important role in raising awareness about the realities of covid in NB, and making connections with people who are experiencing those realities but who may have never personally participated in a protest before.”
Protest organizer Cheryl Johnson added
“It was a tough experience. During the event, I was thinking about the physical safety of the other participants. I deliberately did not advertise to keep attendance low to mitigate disease spread and also keep away counter-protestors. Speaking online in support of increased protections for vulnerable people has resulted in threats and continued harassment for myself and others, so safety was paramount. I also knew the reason we were there was so important. As my sign read, “Public Health is leaving me to die”.
“We did receive several negative comments from passersby, but the positive comments in support far outweighed them. People stopped, were curious what was happening, and thanked us. We were called brave and asked if our pictures could be taken. To see our actions resonate with the people who crossed our paths by happenstance was really lovely. To now be seeing the comments online in support of our small protest has been truly heartwarming.
“I’ve always felt like I must use my voice to speak out for injustices. And right now, vulnerable people are being denied access to settings they require, like schools and long term care homes. Everyone in our society is important, and they should be treated as such. This pandemic continues to further highlight the vast disparities of wealth and privilege.
“One voice can make a tremendous difference. We are never alone when we care about others. I am thankful to live on my grandmother’s ancestral territory of Mi’kmaw’ki and my love for this land guides me. Seeing the lack of care from this colonial government for their own people is wrong. To have to take preventative action to mitigate potential violence for a public demonstration is troubling.
“To experience the care and compassion of participants and strangers who know and feel what we are doing is right shows me I am not alone.”