CLARIFICATION: Physicians urge united approach to COVID-19

The New Brunswick Medical Society would like to clarify its position with respect to government decisions regarding COVID-19.

The purpose of our statement issued Wednesday, March 11, was to encourage government and health-care professionals to collaborate on a united approach to dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. We support efforts that are preventative in nature balanced with evidenced-based public health policy. We echo Premier Higgs’ comments Wednesday that we need a united voice to update New Brunswickers on the pandemic and evolving health policy.

Finally, I continue to encourage citizens to closely monitor and follow the guidance of the Public Health Agency of Canada, New Brunswick’s Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, and their own health-care provider.

The New Brunswick Medical Society urges citizens to practise good hygiene including proper handwashing, coughing and sneezing into tissues or elbows, avoid touching your face, minimize close face-to-face contact with people who appear ill, self isolate if you feel unwell, and regularly cleaning commonly touched surfaces.

Dr. Chris Goodyear, FRCSC
President, New Brunswick Medical Society