Canada's top doctor, Teresatam, has been reappointed and raised for an additional three-year term.

In the limelight when the COVID hits, criticizing the response to the pandemic Dr. Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, has been reappointed for another three-year term with a salary increase. According to theOrder in Councilfirst reported by

Blacklock's Reporter, Tam's maximum salary has increased to $ 324,000 per year. .. She starts with her previous salary of $ 265,000.

Reward revisions make Tam consistent with other Heath chief medical officers in Canada, studying critical communications, saying, "The portfolio is probably less complex than her." Professor Josh Greenberg of the University of Carlton said.

Patrick Fafhrd of the University of Ottawa said, "The government has decided to accept Theresa Tam's reappointment as Supreme Public Health Director."

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"This is a limited time appointment, whether she will be reappointed, and I wasn't sure if she would accept it, "Fafhrd said. Associate Professor of Public and International Affairs.

Tam has repeatedly said that the risk to Canadians is "low" early in the pandemic, and she has been criticized for not responding quickly to new evidence. "It will be rare," she said on January 29. The World Health Organization declared SARS-CoV-2 "a public health emergency of international concern" on January 30, 2020, but not until February 24. Tam said the signs were "concerned" and she said the "containment window" was closed.

She initially dismissed the idea of ​​self-isolating travelers from the COVID-19 Hot Zone for 14 days, warned against "blaming" the community, and civilian masks. He provided a "false sense of security" and said it wasn't. Useful if people are not ill or have no symptoms.

Last year, the Canadian Audit Chief discovered that the Public Health Agency of Canada was not ready to respond to a pandemic despite decades of warnings. did. Outbreaks of pandemics due to inadequate assessment tools and "did not have the most subtle thoughts about what would happen to nearly 60% of travelers suspected of ignoring quarantine orders."This is not a success story," said Auditor Karen Hogan.

But Tam also has fans. Gastown, Vancouver, has a large mural depicting Tam from British Columbia and Dr. Bonnie Henry from B.C. In a report from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, her achievements on Tam were described by two other major public health professionals: Anthony Fauci, a top US doctor, and Chrisho, the UK's chief health officer. Compared to Whitty). 77}

"She doesn't soak in hot water too much and it would be difficult to argue on her own responsibility," Fafhrd said. "She is the public face of public health advice to the Government of Canada, but she is the only one. There are all agencies. It's a kind of group effort. Be careful if you attribute what you dislike to her alone.

Tam maintained the position that people should not be in a hurry and the risk of COVID to Canadians is low until early March 2020. The risk was much greater, "Fafhrd said. "The state government turned on a dime in March as everyone began to realize how important this was. Until it was gone, everything was fine."

From a public health and "good governance" perspective, he added: It makes sense to reappoint her kind. Because this is not over. Tam also managed to more or less maintain the trust of the public health community, Fafhrd said.

"Yes, there are individual public health doctors, and I know of a number of family documents that believe government policies, especially federal policies, are wrong. They" Dr. Tam. Very critical of. But she couldn't alienate a large public health expert. This is really important.

Health Canada said in a statement to the National Post that Tam "is looking forward to continuing to serve Canadians" as Chief Public Health Director.

"Dr. Tam, who has played this role since 2017, has steadily provided expert public health guidance and advice through the COVID-19 pandemic. Her advice is consistent. It is based on the latest evidence and evolving science, "said the agency.

"As a Canadian CPHO, Dr. Tam advocates a fair approach and helps Canadians achieve optimal health, including supporting the narrowing of health inequalities in Canada's major population. We've been working tirelessly to help you. "

National Post