The President of the Canadian Medical Association is condemning the harassment of public health officials as the pandemic drags on.

From online harassment to threats, protests at the private residences of Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and Quebec’s National Public Health Officer, the Canadian Medical Association has seen and heard enough.

Dr. Ann Collins calls it part of an “amplifying” demonstration of bullying and harassment towards not just Chief Medical Officers of Health, but towards physicians during the course of the pandemic.

She says it’s simply not right.

Dr. Collins explains that officials are doing their best to provide the best evidence, based on science and epidemiology, to policy and decision-makers, who implement restrictions that are frustrating people.

She says medical officials and others should be thanked, and protected from harassing behaviour as many have been working more than 16 hours a day through a large part of the pandemic.

Dr. Collins says health officials, like all physicians, are stressed, weary and need rest. She believes they need support, not offensive behaviour directed toward them.