Abstract
AimsThe study assessed how the Canadian print media represented essential healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the controversial decision to include liquor and cannabis stores in essential services lists.MethodsMixed-method content analysis of 67 articles published in major Canadian English language newspapers between March 23 and April 1, 2020. Articles were analyzed and coded by two raters. Ratings were analyzed in SPSS.ResultsFew articles in the sample discussed essential healthcare services and the inclusion of liquor and cannabis stores in essential services lists. Majority of the articles that discussed both topics framed the discussion positively and consistently with current knowledge and evidence.ConclusionCanadian print media representations of essential healthcare services and associated public debate are largely descriptive and, therefore, fail to engage critically with or advance public understanding of an important health policy issue.
Highlights
Closing non-essential services was one of the measures deployed for dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic
This study aims to fill this gap by examining media portrayal of controversial aspects of policies delineating essential health services during the COVID-19 pandemic, with particular focus on the controversy over the inclusion of alcohol and liquor sales in essential services lists
The decision to include liquor and cannabis sales on essential services lists generated public criticism for being motivated by tax-revenue or linked to an increased risk of domestic violence and substance abuse. These criticisms diverge from expert opinion, which largely supports the availability of these products for health reasons
Summary
Closing non-essential services was one of the measures deployed for dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Essential services are those “considered critical to preserving life, health, public safety and basic societal functioning” [1]. Ontario subsequently delisted cannabis stores and producers, cannabis is still available through the Ontario government's online retail outlets [4, 5]. Similar criticisms arose when other provinces decided to include or exclude cannabis from the list of essential services or to limit access to these products (e.g. making cannabis available via online delivery only and not in retail outlets) [6, 7]
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