When people use terms like 'bending the curve' or 'flattening the curve,' they're not talking about finding a cure for COVID-19. They're talking about keeping cases as low as possible so our healthcare system can do its thing.

By keeping the numbers down - or bending the curve downward, we can prevent an overload of our healthcare system and avoid some pretty grim consequences.

If we let our guard down, COVID-19 cases will without a doubt continue to climb. This increase will put additional pressure on Alberta's healthcare system.

Despite the pandemic, heart attacks and highway rollovers stilll happen. Life-saving surgeries are still scheduled. Kids still break their arms. When the hospital beds are full of patients dealing with COVID-19, where do these Albertans go?

What happens if we don't flatten the curve? More people will get sick; our healthcare system will be overwhelmed; and sweeping provincial restrictions will turn the screws even tighter on our lives and livelihoods.

We can't let that happen.

Due to Alberta’s high case numbers, aggressive action is required now to protect our health system from being overwhelmed.

The current situation is critical. These mandatory restrictions apply provincewide and will be in place at least until January 12, 2021.

Provincial health officials are monitoring the situation and will adjust measures if required.

In the Lac Ste. Anne region, we have a responsibility to bend the curve and make sure the health system can continue supporting patients with COVID-19, influenza and many other needs.

There is a time lag between when people get infected and when new cases are identified. This means the cases we see today were infected up to 2 weeks ago.

We must work together to protect each other. The greater the community spread, the more likely it will infect our loved ones most at-risk of severe outcomes, including death.