Families of immunocompromised Albertans worry risk will rise as masks come off – CBC

They’re no longer required except on public transit and in health-care facilities

Mar 01, 2022

Immunocompromised Albertans and their loved ones are anxious that the elimination of most COVID-19 measures will open the door to even more risk, so they’re trying to plan a safe path forward.

The province lifted its indoor mask mandate on Tuesday along with other protections, including gathering restrictions. There are a few exceptions in which masks continue to be required, including public transit, hospitals and continuing care facilities. In addition, the City of Edmonton still has a mask bylaw in place.

“It’s gonna be a little scary out there for kids like ours,” said Lia Lousier, whose 10-year-old son Braeden has a rare genetic disorder. A COVID-19 infection could send him to the ICU.

Braeden’s immune system doesn’t function properly, which is an even bigger concern for the Airdrie mother now that measures such as the provincial mask mandate are gone. When Braeden was in kindergarten, he was hospitalized for pneumonia nine times.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/immunocompromised-albertans-risk-masks-1.6368622