Since a male Alberta resident returned home from overseas several weeks ago, 273 people have died from ebola disease and thousands more are believed to be infected. Other provinces are refusing entry to anyone from Alberta.
The initial case (‘Case X) flew home maskless from Europe while asymptomatic. Case X fell ill and was diagnosed with ebola in a Calgary hospital. However, at that point his symptoms were not severe and he continued to work and attend social events.
When asked why Case X was not isolated, a hospital spokesperson said: “The premier, Danielle Smith, has told us in no uncertain terms that people must be free to make their own decisions. For example, she said that masking is voluntary and individuals should assess their risk in any given situation. As well, Case X refused to wear a mask in the hospital and vigorously rejected the doctors’ strong recommendation to enter an isolation unit. Our staff felt unsafe looking after this person.”
Ebola is a highly infectious disease. The proportion of people who acquire the disease who die, known as the case fatality rate, averages 50%. In most places, patients with the disease must isolate in special units and health care workers wear full protective gear which is destroyed after each entry to the unit.
At a news conference, premier Smith said: “I know this is worrying, especially when children die, but I must be consistent. In dealing with COVID, I said that masking is a personal choice and people with COVID do not have to quarantine if they don’t want to. I will not change this policy just because ebola is killing people. It is the price we pay for freedom.”
Please don’t panic. This is of course satire.