An open discussion on Covid policies in Rankin InletSA国际影视传媒檚 council saw both ends of the debateSA国际影视传媒檚 spectrum.

On one, Coun. Daniel Kowmuk said the number of cases in Rankin Inlet was concerning him, and he suggested increased restrictions around schools.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 worried about our kids going to school 100 per cent, especially when thereSA国际影视传媒檚 Covid going like crazy right now,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 going to get worse.SA国际影视传媒�

He added that the government needs to slow down and work harder to educate people.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 not fun losing a loved one due to Covid,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Kowmuk suggested that for students, SA国际影视传媒渉omeschool will do,SA国际影视传媒� which triggered a laugh from Coun. Kelly Lindell.

She said she understands there are a lot of cases right now, SA国际影视传媒渂ut having kids home for weeks and weeks and weeks and expecting parents to do their job plus homeschool, plus keep them entertained SA国际影视传媒� youSA国际影视传媒檙e asking for the impossible.SA国际影视传媒�

She suggested people continue to be careful and stay home if sick, but noted that vaccinated and unvaccinated people are both getting sick.

SA国际影视传媒淗ow long are we going to shut down and stop life?SA国际影视传媒� asked Lindell. SA国际影视传媒淏ecause itSA国际影视传媒檚 been two years of Covid now.SA国际影视传媒�

She said people want to make money, plan trips and go to school.

SA国际影视传媒淚 canSA国际影视传媒檛 do lockdown anymore,SA国际影视传媒� said the councillor.

Kowmuk responded that, SA国际影视传媒渙nce upon a time, I used to be a parent too,SA国际影视传媒� and said he understands where Lindell is coming from.

Though he stuck to his suggestion of splitting students 50-50 throughout the day, Kowmuk emphasized that it was just a suggestion.

Senior administrative officer Darren Flynn said Covid has had an impact on staffing in the hamlet. He listed off a number of people in isolation at the time, including multiple staff in bylaw and finance.

Two staff were on a SA国际影视传媒渨ork-to-home-to-workSA国际影视传媒� exemption, where they had positive cases of Covid in their homes, but they were allowed to work if they went straight to their jobs and straight home without interacting with anyone. Those workers had to go home just to use the bathroom under that policy. As of the Feb. 14 council meeting, though both workers had Covid in their homes, neither had tested positive themselves.

Flynn also said the Government of NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 case numbers were somewhat misleading because of how infrequently recoveries were posted and the lack of testing. Once rapid tests are available at home across the territory, Flynn suggested there could be thousands of positives.

All hamlet staff are vaccinated, but not all volunteers, he added.

Coun. Justin Merritt said the science on Omicron seems to indicate it spreads faster but also dies out faster, and he said itSA国际影视传媒檚 better for youth to be in school and playing sports.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 not saying nobodySA国际影视传媒檚 going to die,SA国际影视传媒� he said, going on to criticize the policy of sending Nunavummiut mine workers home while the mines fly in southern replacements.

Merritt said people should be going to work.

SA国际影视传媒淲ork makes you feel like something,SA国际影视传媒� said Merritt.

But chief public health officer Dr. Michael Patterson SA国际影视传媒渄oesnSA国际影视传媒檛 care,SA国际影视传媒� he added, suggesting NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 top doctor is overpaid.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 sick of these people from Iqaluit telling us what to do,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Merritt said he doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 feel like heSA国际影视传媒檚 following the PremierSA国际影视传媒檚 rules in Nunavut, but those of SA国际影视传媒淜ing Patterson,SA国际影视传媒� as he dubbed him.

Mayor Harry Towtongie said heSA国际影视传媒檚 hearing from residents that the government should consider treating Covid like the flu now, and that if people are worried, they can get their vaccination.

SA国际影视传媒淚 donSA国际影视传媒檛 know why weSA国际影视传媒檙e having to be so scared,SA国际影视传媒� he said, adding that he was getting bothered by the idea of penalizing youth with some of the restrictions.

Flynn added that Rankin InletSA国际影视传媒檚 vaccine passport bylaw would be dead once the government declares the state of emergency is over.