One of Thunder Bay’s MP’s cannot say right now whether Parliament in Ottawa will be suspended over the coronavirus.
Marcus Powlowski tells us officials are balancing advise from the World Health Organization with the number of people infected in Canada.
“I think at the moment for the risk, given the amount of numbers we have now which are pretty low, I don’t think right now we should be cancelling Parliament. But I haven’t been party to any further decisions,” notes the local MP.
The Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP notes this can change quickly considering how many sports leagues suspended play Thursday.
He also says he was sounding the alarm bell at Parliament Hill in Ottawa over the coronavirus when it first showed, but now he’s changing his tune. Powlowski says when comparing how Canada is doing with countries like Italy or China, he feels people are over-reacting.
“I’m not too personally worried. My wife and kids are coming down here and we’re going to Quebec City for a few days. I’m not staying in my house and watching TV, and worried about getting this thing,” says Powlowski.
The local doctor adds while it seems it is contained, nobody can predict where this will go.
He also says the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital is adjusting as required. It is prepared as it possibly can be for the magnitude of the virus.
“Certainly there are provisions, for example, to get extra ventilators. You can use the O.R. ventilators in a pinch, they do have the internal capacity to bring in 60 extra beds,” notes the local MP.
The Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP adds he doesn’t believe the government plans any travel restrictions as the US has done, but feels greater screening is needed at the border.
