荔枝视频

Dr. Jia Hu, who arrived in 荔枝视频 in 2018, has recently been struck by the commitment, passion and love for an iconic piece of 荔枝视频 that he says seems to have been woven into the city鈥檚 fabric. With this year鈥檚 荔枝视频 Stampede just days away, Hu, MD, a clinical assistant professor at the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM), is working hard to ensure that the first Stampede since the COVID-19 pandemic began is executed with the health and safety of the public at top of mind.

鈥淲hen we look at something like the Stampede, the vast majority of the activities are outdoors,鈥� says Hu, who has worn many crucial hats throughout the pandemic and has managed hundreds of outbreaks and critical situations. 鈥淭he one thing we do seem to see is that outdoor transmission is extremely rare.鈥�

In addition to being a family physician, Hu is a medical officer of health, 荔枝视频 Zone, with Alberta Health Services; the primary care vaccine rollout lead at the Alberta Medical Association; and chair and co-founder of , an Alberta-grown coalition that started out of the 荔枝视频 and works to understand public perceptions around COVID-19 behaviours and vaccination.

鈥淐OVID itself has caused a huge amount of harm and that鈥檚 why we鈥檝e needed things like lockdowns. Alberta, more than any other province, has come the closest to challenging our ICUs (intensive care units),鈥� he says.

However, lockdowns also pose their own unique challenges. A rise in mental-health issues, avoided health care and economic implications make it important to enable reopening when possible.

鈥淚 think that being able to reopen in a reasonable way is quite critical to people鈥檚 well-being, the economy and everything,鈥� Hu says.

With that in mind, Hu has been collaborating with the 荔枝视频 Stampede to bring back the 鈥淕reatest Outdoor Show on Earth鈥� in a pared-down way with an emphasis on outdoor experiences that include the midway rides, the parade of unusual foods and classic treats, and the iconic rodeo and Grandstand Show.  

鈥淲e recognize that we are in a unique position to lead the way for the reopening of live events in Canada 鈥� and we do so following best practices, advice and safety protocols,鈥� says Theresa Howland, BComm'99, vice-president of the 荔枝视频 Stampede. 鈥淒r. Hu鈥檚 guidance has been instrumental in helping us to do this.鈥�

Pre-purchased park admission, reduced capacity, and fewer vendors and attractions will allow fans of the show the ability to assess their personal risk level and not only contribute to the economic recovery, but reconnect and feel part of the community again.

鈥淭he 荔枝视频 Stampede is a community celebration focused on hope and optimism, and it is a reflection of the incredible resilience and strength of our community,鈥� says Howland.

Each part of the event will have different approaches to safety protocols, based on the risk. Proof of vaccination will not be required to enter the grounds, but proof of vaccination or an onsite negative rapid test will be required for entry into Nashville North. 

Flexibility, an eye on the overall health of the community, and the ability to reassess and pivot as needed are central to Hu鈥檚 and the 荔枝视频 Stampede鈥檚 commitment to ensuring health and safety standards.

鈥淎nd really, the way out, the one thing that we can do to help end this pandemic and help with reopening, is to increase vaccine rates,鈥� says Hu. 鈥淚t鈥檚 my job to keep things as safe as possible. I love 荔枝视频 and I love Alberta and I want us to be able to reopen safely. A successful Stampede will show the country that we can come out of COVID.鈥�

The 荔枝视频 Stampede is scheduled to run from July 9-18.