One way to reach policy makers and to educate the public on this issue is by writing a letter to the editor. You can reach The Northern View by emailing editor@thenorthernview.com.
Personal letters work best, rather than letters based on a template. The background points (below) can help you identify a few key ideas to focus on. It's most effective to connect the points you think matter most to you with real life examples. Letting our neighbours know how this policy is affecting others can help shape a better policy from government.
BACKGROUND POINTS
Worship is no different from many of the allowed activities, such as educational events, cultural events, and other indoor gatherings. Worship should therefore be subject to the same restrictions as for similar activities, events, places, and gatherings.
Northern Health has not adequately demonstrated how worship services are inherently different from other activities, such as eating out, drinking at pubs before 10 PM, or attending sporting events, plays, educational programs, concerts, or movies.
Northern Health does not adequately explain why educational, civic, or organizational activities that are part of a faith service are different from worshipping at service.
Worship can be done safely through universal public health measures - such as increased ventilation, wearing of masks, and requiring attendees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Public Health can require that places of worship require:
proof of vaccination,
face coverings,
enhanced ventilation measures,
lower occupancy limits,
and other measures to reduce infections.
Worship and other faith activities are essential to the community. They bring communities together and support spiritual health and emotional well-being. Communities of faith rely on worship to maintain their relationship with the divine, to strengthen their communal bonds, and to sustain members for work in the broader community.
The government’s initial response to COVID-19 required that people isolate and limit our activities. As the pandemic continues, these measures are taking a greater toll on mental and spiritual health.
Communities of faith provide needed supports for many people in Prince Rupert and help mitigate the mental health impacts of the pandemic.
Communities of faith are an important part of civil society, bringing people together and supporting communities.
Communities of faith provide mental health supports, youth programs, arts and culture programs, and food and nutrition services for people in need.
The right to worship freely should be cherished and protected. Northern Health is undermining this right by singling out worship services. Other rights of believers are also being curtailed, including our rights to freedom of assembly and of association. Worship should be treated as any other public activity and not singled out.
Northern Health is operating on extraordinary authority granted by the government. Our rights should be protected when these powers are exercised.
It is no longer enough for elected officials to point to public health appointees. More than health care expertise is required now, especially given the extraordinary powers granted to Northern Health. Oversight and transparency are required during this emergency. Elected officials should start holding their agencies and appointees accountable if our rights are to be cherished and protected.