The United Nurses of Alberta (UNA) President Heather Smith has written letters to the mayors of Alberta’s six largest cities asking them to make wearing face masks mandatory in enclosed workplaces and public spaces. 

Mayor Bill Given was one of those who received a letter. The UNA wants masks to be mandatory as quickly as possible, especially on public transit.  

In her letter, Smith says, “masking on public transit in particular is a necessary and effective measure to slow the spread of COVID-19 and help the Alberta economy return to normal as quickly as possible.” 

“As the president of UNA, which represents more than 30,000 Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses and allied health workers, I know that our members are reminded daily of the gravity of this pandemic, the serious health consequences COVID-19 poses, and the rationale behind the effectiveness of mask wearing to suppress the spread of this dangerous new virus.” 

As working people, the UNA says they understand everyone’s desire to get back to work quickly and believe mask-wearing is essential to make this happen. They also say it will help prevent more avoidable tragedies or requiring an economically devastating return to lockdown. 

The UNA also recently passed a motion calling on the Government of Alberta and the Chief Medical Officer of Health to immediately implement mandatory wearing of face masks in enclosed workplaces and public spaces for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.