‘Sows distrust’: Alberta doctors slam government COVID-19 task force report as ‘misinformation’

A report from a $2-million government-commissioned task force that challenges the use of COVID-19 vaccines and calls for greater use of alternative treatment options amounts to dangerous anti-science disinformation, according to the organization representing Alberta doctors.

In late 2022, Premier Danielle Smith called for the formation of a panel to examine the provincial government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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That panel’s 269-page report was released late last Friday and repeats many familiar COVID-19 grievances around the effectiveness of public health measures including masks, vaccinations, and vaccination passports.

It makes several recommendations contrary to current practices including halting the use of COVID-19 vaccines without full disclosure of their potential risks. It also calls for greater latitude to use alternative treatments including malaria drugs ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine. Health Canada has cited the results of clinical trials in recommending against use of those drugs for COVID-19,  noting they pose serious health risks when not taken properly.

Alberta Medical Association president Dr. Shelley Duggan issued a statement Monday, questioning the validity of the report’s conclusions which she characterized as “anti-science,” “anti-evidence,” and advocating for misinformation.

“This report sows distrust. It criticizes proven preventative public health measures while advancing fringe approaches,” Duggan’s statement reads, noting the report makes recommendations for the future that “have real potential to cause harm.”

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“Through science and evidence, we were able to learn together while observing and adjusting to the twists and turns of COVID’s destructive evolution. Science and evidence brought us through and saved millions of lives.”

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The 13-member task force was led by Dr. Gary Davidson who had previously accused the province of exaggerating COVID-19’s impact on hospitals.

Also among the panellists was Jay Bhattacharya, who was nominated by U.S. President Donal Trump to run the National Institutes of Health, and also co-authored the Great Barrington Declaration that argued for protecting at-risk populations but otherwise letting COVID-19 make its way through the population to build up herd immunity.

The vaccines have proven to be overwhelmingly safe with serious adverse events being recorded in 0.01 per cent of more than 105 million doses given out across Canada.

Alberta will ‘review and consider’ report

Alberta Health Minister Adriana LaGrange was not made available for an interview Monday. Her office issued a statement citing the diverse background of the task force members and how their recommendations will “offer a perspective on how the government can be better positioned to protect the health and safety of Albertans in the future.”

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“Alberta’s government will review and consider this report and its findings. However no policy decisions have been made in relation to it at this time.”

In a statement, Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi accused Smith of putting taxpayer money towards “some of the biggest anti-vax extremists in the world.”

“Albertans are yet again left with one question, ‘Who does Danielle Smith think she works for?’ It certainly isn’t us.”

In her statement, Duggan also took aim at the cost of compiling the report in the midst of continued issues in the health care system.

“At a time when our hospitals are struggling to stay afloat and patients are waiting for care every hour of every day, the $2 million price tag for this product could have been much better spent.”

— with files from Scott Strasser

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