Canadian military preparing for COVID-19 support in the prairies

There are reports the Canadian Military is preparing to deploy to parts of the prairies as early as this weekend to help with the COVID-19 response, but how would boots on the ground change things in long-term care facilities and hospitals?

CALGARY (CityNews) – There are reports the Canadian military is preparing to deploy to parts of the prairies as early as this weekend to help with the COVID-19 response.

But how would boots on the ground change things in long-term care centres and hospitals?

“A lot of the front line workers are probably tired having fought this thing for over eight months and they probably need some extra people to help out on some of the scheduling and the shifts where military could help out to do that but ins support of other people who are leading the charge,” said retired Major-General David Fraser.

It could mean assisting with field hospitals, which we could see more of in Alberta and added assistance in long term care homes.

“Probably to an existing hospital that is overloaded because of COVID cases and will provide augment to ICU or other key areas within that hospital,” said Fraser. “The military are not designed to go into long term care homes and provide palliative care, or anything along that spectrum.”

Thousands of reservists and other military members were mobilized in the spring to help at long-term care facilities in Ontario and Quebec, but emergency physician Joe Vipond explains that came at a time when COVID was still new.

“We didn’t know what was going on, it was all very new. We’ve had nine months to learn how to deal with COVID. The sad reality is this intervention from the military is happening despite it being completely preventable.”

WATCH: More field hospitals could be coming to cope with COVID-19

It’s also happening in a climate where several premiers who have been critical of Ottawa may end up asking for help.

“It’s going to look very bad for the premiers of the provinces who have to ask for the help,” said political science professor Lori Williams. “It will look as though the have planned to prepare or respond.”

In a statement, the Department of Defence said, “There is no current Request for Assistance from the prairie provinces. Prudent contingency planning and preparations are ongoing across Canada.”

The bottom line is nothing will happen without provincial direction.

“This will help the movement and the dialogue as we fight this virus until the point where everyone is jabbed,” said Fraser.

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