Families of immunocompromised Albertans worry risk will rise as masks come off

Immunocompromised Albertans and their loved ones are anxious that the elimination of most COVID-19 measures will open the door to even more risk, so they're trying to plan a safe path forward.

The province lifted its indoor mask mandate on Tuesday along with other protections, including gathering restrictions. There are a few exceptions in which masks continue to be required, including public transit, hospitals and continuing care facilities. In addition, the City of Edmonton still has a mask bylaw in place.

"It's gonna be a little scary out there for kids like ours," said Lia Lousier, whose 10-year-old son Braeden has a rare genetic disorder. A COVID-19 infection could send him to the ICU.

Braeden's immune system doesn't function properly, which is an even bigger concern for the Airdrie mother now that measures such as the provincial mask mandate are gone. When Braeden was in kindergarten, he was hospitalized for pneumonia nine times.

"COVID is terrifying to a lot of parents, especially with children like Braeden that have chronic lung disease … [and] heart conditions. He basically has a complication with every organ in his body," Lousier said.

But with the elimination of most public health measures, Lousier is apprehensive and said they'll continue wearing masks in public and limiting outings.

"We'll always evaluate every situation we're going into from here forward," she said.

"You think about is it worth taking him out so we could possibly spend a couple of weeks in the ICU?"

Calgarian Deanne Cotton-Cornwall has four autoimmune disorders — including lupus and rheumatoid arthritis — and is on two immuno-suppressive medications, given by injection, to control her conditions.

She is considered high risk for severe illness and just received her fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. She, too, is worried about the removal of the mask mandate.

"It's a concern.… We know the current strain is very contagious and people like myself would be very likely to catch it and would have a harder time fighting," said Cotton-Cornwall, who has spent the past two years of the pandemic limiting her outings.

She said she feels she has to be even more cautious now.

"I have to say I'm not quite comfortable for myself, and I hope that people will respect when they see people wearing masks that there's probably a good reason for it."

While many Albertans will return to more normal activities, there is no end in sight to the isolation for Paulette Stalinski, 74, of Calgary.