Our MP Niki Ashton spoke to Arctic Radio to make a statement on the COVID 19 epidemic. 

She has continued to call on the federal government to take the voices of First Nations and Northern Residents seriously in preparation for COVID 19 and that we need to do whatever we can to slow the spread of the virus.

Ashton acknowledged that the province of Ontario has taken drastic measures to slow the spread of the virus and she believes Manitoba needs to implement the same measures.

Ashtons Constituency office’s are also closed to the public as a precaution but you are invited to contact Ashton if you have any questions or concerns.

When asked how the COVID 19 epidemic differs from other outbreaks like SARS and H1N1 Ashton stated that COVID 19 is a new virus with no vaccine, and that some jurisdictions have taken too long to react causing the virus to spread rapidly which is why extreme measures are being taken and people are self isolating.