Pallister's emotional plea to stay apart during the holidays resonates but less so in Manitoba

What do American cable news anchors, the frontman ofKiss and a former NBA player have in common?

They all fawned over Premier Brian Pallister's impassioned plea this weekfor Manitobans to stay apart during the holidays.

MSNBC hostJoe Scarborough was among the television personalities and celebrities to effusively praisethe premier for trying to contain the spread of COVID-19.

"It is an act of responsibility," Scarborough said on Morning JoeFriday of Pallister'saddress, "and yes, I will say it, it is an act of love."

Yet many Manitobans feel that celebratingPallister's statementis misguided.

In fact, aviraltweet from former basketball playerRex Chapman was deleted Thursday night, perhaps a result of the Manitobans whotold him therecognition wasn't warranted.

WATCH | 'I'm the guy who's stealing Christmas to keep you safe':

Dont gather for holidays, Pallister urges

4 years ago

Duration 1:23

If you dont think that COVIDs real, right now youre an idiot, Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister said as he asked people to avoid holiday gatherings. COVID-19 numbers remain high in the province even after heightened pandemic restrictions were introduced last month.

Thenewfound attention for Pallister stems from hismedia briefing on Thursday. In a clipwhich later circulated online, the premier acknowledged the near-lockdown he's imposed to getCOVID-19 numbers under control.

"I will do what I believe is right, and right now we need to save lives," Pallister said.

"If you don't think that COVID's real right now, you're an idiot. You needto understand that we're all in this together. You cannot fail to understand this,"

He said he recognizes the decisions he makes are preventing Manitobans from enjoying the holidays.

Then he got choked up and said, "I'm theguy who's stealing Christmas to keep you safe. Because you need to do this now."

Pallister's message has now been watched millions of times.

In addition to Chapman, Kissfrontman Paul Stanley and musician Richard Marx were among those who sharedPallister's emotional message on social media.

Meanwhile, CNN anchor Brianna KeilardescribedPallister'stone as beingin stark contrast to U.S. President Donald Trump, who she said hasignored the rising death toll from COVID-19.

At first blush, there is a lot to like in Pallister'sstatement, saidSamanta Krishnapillai, the founder of the On COVID-19 Project to reach young Canadians with public health messaging.

"I think it's because we often don't see politicians being that candid and raw," she said from Markham, Ont.

Krishnapillai,a master's studentin health information scienceatWestern University in London, Ont., said it was refreshing to hear a political leader demand his constituents step up andacknowledge thesacrifices needed from them.

"It was like exactly what needed to be said."

But as she has learned, many Manitobansdisapprove of the Pallistergovernment's response to the pandemic.

5 minutes of emotion not enough: Saunders

"I think we can appreciate that emotion,"said Kelly Saunders, associate professor of political science at Brandon University, of the viral moment.

"On the other hand, as I said,five minutes of emotion does not make up for nine months of inadequate planning."

Critics have panned the government for trying to restart the economy in the summer at the expense ofpreparing for the second wave of the pandemic.

This week, an Angus Reid poll suggestsPallisterrankslast among Canadian provincial leadersin popularity, with only 32 per cent of survey respondents approving of his job.

"He seems to be presuming that Manitobans are upset because, you know, we can't go shopping or we somehow feel that he's stealing Christmas or that we're mad at him for having to impose these restrictions," Saunders said.

Rather, she said, Manitobans feel the government didn't move fastenough. The province implementeda near-lockdown last month while it already faced the country's worst infection rate.

Krystl Keffer, a pharmacy employee in Winnipeg, said Pallister doesn't deserve kudos for getting emotional on camera.

"People who don't live here and haven't seen first-hand sort of what's happening,they're all cheering him as an example," Keffer said. "It just feels really fake and kind of offensive."

Some Manitobans, however, feelhis message resonated.

"Hetouched a nerve with me yesterday because I felt that he honestly, for a brief moment, showed his true self," said Phyllis England, a former federal government employee in Brandon.

"To see him cry on the video was very moving," addedAdrienne Bomback, a retired bank employee in Winnipeg.

"That made me realize, he really feels this," she said. "He really feels that he has to deliver this message, and it's not a good one."

Bombacksaid she hopes Manitobansfollow Pallister's message and take the virus seriously.

WATCH | Pallister's plea goes viral:

Pallister plea goes viral

4 years ago

Duration 2:16

An impassioned plea by Premier Brian Pallister has gone viral and is getting the attention of some American celebrities and US news outlets.