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Editor’s column: Steveston Pool an example of PR machine chipping away at COVID confidence

To tell or not to tell — this is the critical public relations question for many organizations when a case of COVID-19 has been identified. Clearly, if public exposure is deemed relatively high, that information has to be made public.
Steveston outdoor pool
Steveston outdoor pool. Photo: Richmond Kigoos Summer Swim Club/Facebook

To tell or not to tell — this is the critical public relations question for many organizations when a case of COVID-19 has been identified.

Clearly, if public exposure is deemed relatively high, that information has to be made public.

If you take a look at Vancouver Coastal Health’s website under “Current Public Exposures” you’ll see a list of bars, restaurants, beaches and hotels where addresses, dates and times are listed.

What you won’t find on that list, however, are a number of exposures in Richmond at shopping centres and grocery stores.

In most of those cases, the health authorities did not require the general public be made aware, as it was determined the risk to the community at large was minimal. Regardless, “out of an abundance of caution” (which is how most of these press releases begin) the business chose to go public, letting everyone know that a case has been identified but the store is going over and above sanitizing, notifying and reinforcing hygiene procedures to ensure everyone’s safety.

I imagine that’s not always an easy decision. No business wants to be the cause of greater spread, but such a public notice could be devastating. Who wants to dine at a restaurant where a server tested positive for COVID?

But even if people get spooked and choose to avoid your business in the short term, I have to believe they will soon return, knowing you’re an organization that is transparent and goes beyond the minimum public health requirements.

Which brings me to Steveston Pool.

We have heard from numerous sources that an employee at the pool tested positive for COVID. Emails, phone calls and texts have come in from all manner of people, those who work there, those who swim there, those who just know people there. When we asked the city about the rumours, we were told the city would not confirm there was the case — but nor did it deny.

When we asked if the city wasn’t required to inform the public if indeed there was a case, we were directed to VCH protocol regarding public notifications. It reads:

“During contact tracing, our Public Health team does a thorough assessment of where the person has been during their infections period and if there was any risk of public exposure. Depending on the type of interactions a case has had and the measures and safety plans in place at the time, we are often able to identify and notify all close contacts directly and determine there is no further risk.”

So, even if there was a case, the city is not legally obliged to tell the public as long as adequate contact tracing is done. But what about the moral obligation?

It seems of all organizations that would opt for “an abundance of caution” when it comes to public safety, it would be our public institutions, whose very mandate is to serve the public good.

I understand there are times to leave well enough alone, but this isn’t one of them. In fact, more than ever, people need as much clear, accurate information as possible.

Besides, despite dire warnings to not talk to the media, members of the public or anyone else for that matter, did they really think this wasn’t going to get out?

And since it has (on social media well before the Richmond News, by the way), what’s causing the greatest panic is the lack of transparency.

I have no doubt the city has done what it should have in terms of notifying those who may have been exposed. I also trust if you haven’t been called by VCH, you have nothing to worry about.

But trust is the operative word.

We need to trust our governments. We need to know they care more about our health than their reputations. We also need to know they respect our right to be informed. Trying to keep this quiet and refusing to be transparent has only fueled more rumours, heightened anxiety and chipped away at any sense of confidence.