B.C.’s provincial health officer is thanking people for sending her notes of support after revealing this week that she was a target of death threats and abuse.

Dr. Bonnie Henry says the calls to her staff started in January but she’s had much more positive feedback over the past several months as she brought in measures to keep people safe during the pandemic.

“I do appreciate all of the notes and good wishes and comments people have sent me. So I am doing fine, and I have a strong sense of community,” she said. “My neighbours, my friends, my family support mean I really appreciate the support I get from people in our community here in British Columbia.”

Henry says she understands that the pandemic has caused anger and frustration in some people who then lashed out.

“You know it doesn’t surprise me in many ways,” she added. “When people are anxious and afraid, some people’s reactions is to lash out in anger, and in frustration and these were unprecedented times.”

Speaking yesterday, Henry also said Thanksgiving can go ahead this year but only with your ‘close household bubble’ as she’s asking people to avoid large gatherings as has been the case from the beginning.

As of Thursday afternoon, B.C. has had 8,543 cases of COVID-19 so far, with 1,371 active cases – 34 of which are in the Interior Health Authority.