Colby, Marshall defend tougher COVID rules
By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Chatham-Kent has thrown its unconditional support behind its medical officer of health, who was recently beset by protestors unhappy with the tightening of COVID-19 restrictions.
This comes after Dr. David Colby was targeted for taking action to halt the rise of local cases of COVID-19.
The Chatham-Kent Board of Health released a statement last week calling the “bullying, harassment and disrespectful behaviour towards workers trying to protect the community unconscionable.”
The comments follow a protest held outside Dr. Colby’s home Dec. 8. It’s unclear how many people attended the event that was live-streamed on Facebook by former PPC candidate Liz Vallee.
The video also shows a photograph of Colby being served with so-called liability papers.
It’s not known who served the papers, who prepared them, or what they contain.
When asked about the effect protestors had by congregating outside his home, Colby said he didn’t fear for his safety and was more worried about his neighbours than himself.
“I live in a quiet neighbourhood,” Colby noted, calling the “screaming of vulgarities” and use of strobe lights distressing.
Chatham-Kent police attended the protest but no charges were laid as it was deemed to be a peaceful protest, with participants staying on public sidewalks, chanting and carrying signs.
However, Colby’s opinion differs.
“This was not would I would call a peaceful protest, when the peace and quiet of a neighbourhood is disrupted,” he told a reporters at a municipal media scrum Dec 9.
Colby acknowledged he’s not the only MOH in Ontario to be subjected to harassment during the pandemic, with public health unit leaders a popular target of the anti-vaxxer crowd.
However, he said, he’s has received an outpouring of support from his colleagues around the province following the incident.
It appears that abuse towards workers is a problem at Chatham-Kent Public Health. Colby said employees are routinely greeted with mean, inappropriate and disturbing comments on the phone, as well as swearing.
Contact tracers – taxed to the breaking point by the high number of cases — are bearing the brunt, Colby explained.
When staff ask people to isolate or get tested because they’ve been exposed to COVID-19, Colby said people flat out refuse.
Spamming of the CKPH social media channels is another tactic the protesters use, Colby said.
The new limits on indoor gatherings, which do not affect businesses or restaurants, came into effect Friday.
Public gatherings are the greatest source of transmission, Public Health reports. A total of 15 cases were linked to a recent wedding in the municipality.
Colby said no one is happy with stricter rules and they are not meant to punish anyone, but in light of rising cases, it had to be done.
“I think people should be directing their frustration to the general situation,” he said, adding we’re dealing with “unprecedented numbers” in Chatham-Kent and escalating numbers across Ontario.
“It is my job to protect the health of the people of Chatham-Kent,” Colby noted, adding no one likes the restrictions, including him.
“I feel like the Grinch, but the Grinch had a heart too,” Colby said.
As for following rules, Colby said the integrity of any law or rule depends on people’s willingness to follow it.
Lessening the strain on Chatham-Kent’s ICU capacity is a major reason for the change.
The day after the protest, Chatham-Kent suffered its 25th COVID-19 death when a fully vaccinated elderly man passed away from complications with the virus.
As well, the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance ICU saw its first ventilated COVID-19 patient transferred out of the Chatham ICU to an ICU in Woodstock.
At the time there were six COVID-19 patients in Chatham’s ICU, five of which were ventilated.
CKHA President and CEO Lori Marshall said the move was “unprecedented.”
The decision was facilitated by the province’s critical care system, Marshall added.
“It is an indication that as an organization we really cannot function with that number of individuals who are ventilated COVID positive in the ICU,” she said.
Further implications of the influx of COVID-19 patients saw the cancellation of six scheduled surgeries, Marshall said.
“I want to make sure you have that picture that gives the rationale Dr. Colby has described,” Marshall explained to reporters.
Colby’s letter of intention for the changes was amended slightly prior to enforcement Friday. The doctor said the amendment was made to cover off any legal challenges that have been raised, adding he does have the authority to impose changes under the Health Protection and Promotion Act.
The municipality has decided to lead by example and won’t be having any indoor gatherings for the holidays, or events such a retirement parties, in keeping with the spirit of the new indoor restrictions.
