Does it almost feel like “Ground Hog Day” again? Ontario’s top doctor is recommending that residents wear masks when they are out in public. Didn’t we hear the same thing two years ago? This year, Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer recommended on Monday that Ontario residents wear masks indoors to protect young children and an already strained hospital system from the triple threat of Influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and Covid 19. We are under a triple health threat.
Last week several universities across Ontario mandated students to wear masks indoors to reduce the spread of influenza and Covid 19. Hospitals across the country have been overwhelmed with young children with respiratory infections. Ontario’s Sick Kids hospital had to reduce surgical procedures to only those needing emergency treatment. Other Ontario hospitals have expanded pediatric beds to meet demands to treat young children.
Masking has not been mandated and Moore noted it would be a measure of last resort to protect Ontario’s citizens. He noted that over the previous years of isolation and public masking, the spread of influenza and Covid was reduced. With isolation and masks in the classrooms, RSV did not overwhelm pediatric care in hospitals.
The Northwestern Health Unit and local pharmacies are offering free flu and Covid inoculation clinics which help make everyone safer.
On Sunday, Premier Doug Ford encouraged residents to mask in public and to get both their flu shots and their Covid boosters. And he offered up that mask mandates would be a last resort option.
Children’s respiratory medicines on store shelves have disappeared as children became ill from SRV and the flu. Consequently, the federal government is importing supplies to restock pharmacies across the country. Those medicines will again be appearing on store shelves in the next few weeks.
There will be many social gatherings in the next several weeks. Hockey games, concerts, craft shows and more. Each could be a major spreader event. Wearing a mask while indoors to shop, play, or enjoy an activity is but a minor inconvenience if it keeps us all healthy. We do not want to return to isolation and mask mandates.
Former Publisher
Fort Frances Times
