Advertisement

UBC public health faculty members pen letter slamming director’s Hawaiian vacation

Click to play video: 'Fallout continues from non-essential travel by B.C. officials'
Fallout continues from non-essential travel by B.C. officials
Fallout continues from non-essential travel by B.C. officials – Jan 9, 2021

Nearly two dozen faculty members of UBC’s School of Population and Public Health have signed a letter expressing dismay over their director’s travel to Hawaii amid COVID-19 restrictions.

Dr. Peter Berman apologized this week for taking an overseas vacation, despite public health advisories not to travel and as most British Columbians called off traditional holiday gatherings.

“A public health leader should know better,” states the letter signed by 19 professors.

“This decision to travel harms our school’s ability to contribute leadership in calling for our communities to sustain daily sacrifices to prevent the spread of COVID-19 for the public good.”

Click to play video: 'Top B.C. health educator vacationed in Hawaii'
Top B.C. health educator vacationed in Hawaii

The professors say they were “dismayed” by both Berman and UBC’s response to the director’s travel.

Story continues below advertisement

They go on to say that while they’ve worked hard to set the right example around adhering to COVID-19 restrictions, they’re also privileged enough to have the resources not to feel the worst impacts of the pandemic.

“It is therefore deeply disturbing to see those in positions of leadership take advantage of their privileged, and act in ways that rupture solidarity and fuel narratives of distrust and misinformation.”

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.

Get weekly health news

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

While the letter stops short of calling for Berman to step down, others haven’t been as forgiving.

Earlier this week a pair of graduates from the school came forward to call for Berman’s firing.

Story continues below advertisement

In a statement, UBC said it can not police employees’ personal time.

Click to play video: 'Head of UBC school of public health faces calls to resign over holiday trip to Hawaii'
Head of UBC school of public health faces calls to resign over holiday trip to Hawaii

Berman was the latest in a string of high-profile officials, many of them provincial and federal politicians, who has been caught taking sunny vacations over the winter break.

International travel is not banned under COVID-19 restrictions, but both the provincial and federal government have strongly advised against it.

Click to play video: '‘Albertans are extremely upset’: political scientist on what Kenney faces after controversy'
‘Albertans are extremely upset’: political scientist on what Kenney faces after controversy

Communications consultant Bill Tielman echoed some of the professors’ concerns, warning that by appearing to flout their own advice, officials risked undermining the fight against the virus.

Story continues below advertisement

“These travelling politicians are giving comfort to conspiracy theorists, to crazies, to people who say everything is fake news about COVID-19, despite the enormous death toll,” he said.

“The more we see politicians undermining the public health authorities, the more likely it is people will say, ‘see, it’s just a joke.'”

As of Friday, British Columbia had recorded 988 COVID-19 deaths, while the seven-day moving average for test positivity was over eight per cent.

On Thursday, B.C. extended COVID-19 restrictions, including a ban on all social gatherings, until Feb. 5.

Sponsored content

AdChoices