‘It was life and death’: McNeil, Strang reflect on early handling of COVID-19 pandemic

to continue to be vigilant and follow public health guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus and protect the most vulnerable members of our community.

McNeil and Strang both acknowledged the challenges and sacrifices that were made in the early days of the pandemic. They reflected on the difficult decisions that had to be made, such as closing businesses and limiting social interactions. Despite the hardships, they both emphasized the importance of prioritizing public health and safety above all else.

As they look back on the past five years, McNeil and Strang recognize that there were areas where improvements could have been made. They acknowledge that the mental health impacts of social isolation were not fully understood at the time, and they would have approached certain restrictions differently to minimize these effects. Additionally, they believe that allowing more outdoor activities could have been beneficial in reducing the spread of the virus while maintaining some level of normalcy for the public.

One of the most challenging aspects of the pandemic was the outbreak at the Northwood long-term care home in Halifax, where 53 residents lost their lives. McNeil admitted that the decision to lock down long-term care homes was a difficult one, but he also questions if there could have been a better approach to balancing safety with the mental well-being of residents.

Despite the challenges and tragedies that Nova Scotia faced in the early days of the pandemic, McNeil and Strang are proud of how the province responded. They commend the people of Nova Scotia for their resilience and willingness to make sacrifices for the greater good. They believe that the strong leadership and collective efforts of the community were instrumental in saving lives and preventing the spread of COVID-19.

As the threat of COVID-19 continues to loom, McNeil and Strang urge Nova Scotians to remain vigilant and continue following public health guidelines. They emphasize the importance of getting vaccinated and staying informed about the latest developments in the fight against the virus. By working together and supporting one another, they believe that Nova Scotia can overcome the challenges posed by COVID-19 and emerge stronger than ever before.