Lacombe-Ponoka MLA Ron Orr, who was one of several MLAs to question health restrictions last month, is urging central Albertans to bend the curve.
Orr originally supported a group of MLAs who wrote a letter to Premier Jason Kenney, outlining concerns with a previous round of COVID-19 restrictions when the province moved back to Step 1. He was among 15 MLAs who signed the letter in early April.
“We believe that yesterday’s announcement to move our province backwards, effectively abandoning the plan that Albertans had worked diligently over the past few months to follow, is the wrong decision,” the letter read.
“We have heard from our constituents, and they want us to defend their livelihoods and freedoms as Albertans.”
As COVID-19 cases have spiked across the province and particularly in central Alberta, Orr penned an open letter to Albertans earlier this week, saying they need to do their part to stop the spread of COVID-19.
“Now people, it is time to do our part – voluntarily. Rural Alberta is clearly not immune to this. Don’t be one of those who spreads COVID to others or who ends up in the ICU,” Orr said, adding he has received the COVID-19 vaccine and he’s staying home except for essential trips.
Orr appealed to central Albertans using the analogy of a farm.
“Every producer knows that animals – chickens, hogs, cows — crowded together spread disease to each other and so producers use antibiotics and vaccines to try and control it,” he said.
Well, people together spread COVID to each other. So please, stop it.”
He also noted that he asked for a more regional approach to restrictions, which the government did put in place during late April.
Those restrictions were changed to stricter provincial measures this week, as COVID-19 cases continue to grow.
“I admit, the government like everyone, has struggled to get this right. I have asked for a regional approach which government delivered last week,” he said.
“I respect the government for this and give credit where credit is due.”
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