By Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Norm Miller
As you have heard, the number of new COVID-19 cases has been growing steadily around the province including here in Muskoka. Ontario has been seeing around 3,000 new cases a day and Muskoka is seeing new cases almost every day. As of the writing of this Muskoka had 38 active cases including 12 in Huntsville.
Despite regional shutdowns and repeated requests to stay home, cellular data showed that people had been moving around a lot in December. And surveys have found that while most people are trying to follow public health measures, some made exceptions over the holidays and some other people have been completely ignoring the restrictions.
This behaviour has helped to create the current dire situation. Locally Dr. Charles Gardner told me that at least 20 per cent of cases in Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit were directly linked to holiday gatherings.
The latest modelling data completed after the holidays shows our hospital ICUs could be overwhelmed within a few weeks. This is the point where COVID poses a danger to people beyond those who actually get COVID-19. About one quarter of Ontario hospitals have no room left in their ICUs and as a result some patients are being moved to other hospitals.
As a result, last week Ontario announced a second State of Emergency and issued a stay-at-home order. The intention of this order is to reduce mobility around the province and within our communities in order to stop the spread of COVID-19 and in particular prevent the spread of the new variants of the virus that have been found to be more contagious.
In order to help businesses suffering with the expanded shutdown since Boxing Day, Ontario is now accepting applications for the Small Business Support Grant. Businesses can apply for this grant as well as for the PPE grant and Property Tax and Energy Rebates at: www.ontario.ca/COVIDSupport.
Shutdowns and supports are temporary measures. The real solution is vaccines and we are starting to see those administered.
Across the province Ontario had administered 224,134 vaccines as of January 19 including the first dose of vaccinations at 40 per cent of long term care homes. Locally, all eligible long-term care residents in Simcoe and Muskoka have received the first dose of their vaccine. As well, frontline healthcare staff and long-term care staff are receiving their first doses and all retirement home residents are expected to receive their first dose within the next 10 days, assuming supply remains available.
I want to take a moment here to thank Dr. Gardner and his team at Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. They did a great job getting the vaccine out to all our long-term care residents. As well, the vaccination clinic they are managing with Royal Victoria Health Centre and the City of Barrie has administered 13,000 vaccinations making it the second most productive clinic in Ontario.
For those wondering when they might receive the vaccine, our government released more information about the vaccination plans going forward.
Phase One of the vaccine implementation program is focused on vaccinating those at greatest risk and their caregivers, other healthcare workers, and those in remote Indigenous communities. This is expected to see approximately 1.5 million eligible people vaccinated by late March/early April.
Phase Two is expected to be completed by the end of July vaccinating up to 8.5 million Ontarians and will include:
– Older adults, beginning with those 80 years of age and older and decreasing in five-year increments;
– Individuals living and working in high-risk congregate settings not already vaccinated;
– Frontline essential workers (e.g. first responders, teachers, food processing industry); and
– Individuals with high-risk chronic conditions and their caregivers.
Then Phase Three will offer the vaccine to anyone else who is eligible and has not yet received it.
These are brand new vaccines just beginning production so there will be some challenges. Unfortunately, last Friday we saw the first glitch in the supply chain which will slow down some of the Pfizer vaccines. In response, Ontario has adjusted the plan for second doses. This will mean that those people who have received the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine and who are not residents of long-term care may have their second dose administered up to 42 days after the first dose. This is in line with revised directions from Health Canada.
We are all very tired of the public health measures. We all want to see our friends and families. We want to attend events. We want to travel. And for some people the isolation is hard to take. I know I sound like a broken record but please follow public health advice. Please stay home as much as possible. If you can work from home, please do so. Go out only for groceries, prescriptions, medical appointments, for exercise, or to pick up orders from a local restaurant or store. When you are anywhere near people you don’t live with, wear a mask and maintain physical distancing. At the same time, please find virtual ways to support anyone you know who is struggling with the isolation of this shutdown or anxiety about COVID.
With everyone’s co-operation we will get through this. Thank you for doing your part.
Photo of MPP Norm Miller is courtesy of his office. Queen’s Park photo “June 2012 Ontario Legislature Toronto” by Priscilla Jordão, via Wikimedia Commons, is licensed under CC BY 2.0 / Cropped from original.
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Ray Vowels says
It’s to bad people will not listen to you or your Govt but then when you give out mixed information it’s no wonder people ignore it , Just like stay home except when you go out and it’s ok to travel up here with your snowmobile and go out with a group . These are the things that make other folks say to heck with the rules i’ll do whatever I like as well. We went to Walmart in Huntsville the other day at 7 am supposed to be for seniors from 7am to 8 am what a joke at least 50% of the people gong in were not close to being a senior nobody checking . Like the Govt make rules and expect people to follow them with no enfocement and that never works.
Anna-Lise Kear says
Mr. Miller; even after vaccines and immunization programs are completed, we may not be in “shutdown”, BUT we may well need to continue to practice many of the current measures. Vigilance (testing, tracing & hopefully, FULL, annual inspections) at LTC, retirement homes, community living, and day care centres will be paramount. It may be wiser to keep the hopes of the public realistic in their perception of a “new normal”.
What will be done by your government about the travesty of infection, death of residents and staff, in Ontario LTC homes? When will additional hiring of registered and PSW staff, additional training of workers, and increases to PSW wages happen? When?
Sean Tilley says
We need a quick at home test readily available to everyone. Chechen yourself every day before leaving the house .This would be much more effective than shutting down the economy. Get science working for the people and the economy.
Ralph Cliffe says
Thanks Norm. It’s been so long since hearing anything from you I thought perhaps you
had joined the Liberals?
Stay Safe!
Brenda Begg says
Mr. Miller, I agree that everyone needs to follow the directives. It’s scary and disheartening that despite science, despite the death toll, despite rising case numbers – some people are non compliant. Covid and other strains will always be just around the corner so it appears that a vaccine is the only solution. However, let’s not forget that although LTC residents, LTC employees, other health care providers and eventually anybody who wants the vaccine gets the vaccine, our health care system needs a major overhaul. Furthermore, frontline workers (PSWs, grocery clerks etc.) and, every employee need paid sick days, a decent wage, benefits, and job security. Everyone would benefit.
Finally, I’d like to thank Metro and Huntsville Bullock’s Independent from the bottom of my tippy toes for consistently monitoring the number of customers in the store; sanitizing the carts, conveyor belt, and keypads; cashiers who advise when we can move ahead and unload our items; cashiers and employees who responsibly speak up to remind customers to physically distance. There are other businesses in Huntsville that also deserve recognition (e.g. Winners, Coles Book Store, other Mall stores, Reflections of Muskoka). I (and I’m sure others) also appreciate businesses and medical offices that continue to allow customers/clients/patients to use their washroom.
Mary Spring says
Mr. Miller
The spread of the virus is happening when people gather in large groups. Big box stores should only be allowed to be open for curb side pick up. Canadian Tire and Home Depot are doing this efficiently. I purchase all of my essential groceries with online ordering and curb side pick up.. Why are large groups of people allowed to gather in big box stores?
Mary Spring says
Mr Miller,
Students in Muskoka are being forced to complete their schooling online for another period of time. Meanwhile, students in Parry Sound and Novar returned to school after Christmas. Being connected with Simcoe has been a disaster for not only Muskoka’s economy, but also for the health and future well being of the children. Mr Miller…do not forget the folks in Muskoka.
Jim Logagianes says
What would you think of someone who sat at Queens Park for over 15 years as and opposition MP watching the lack of health care investment in Muskoka Parry Sound. And upon being reelected his party chose to make cuts to healthcare, instead of investing to compensate for years of neglect which he witnessed first hand as and opposition member. And that same individual and his govt have lockdowned our economy because of our overlooked, overburdened, and underfunded health care system. Seniors are dying in LTC because of years of documented neglect that put shareholders interests ahead of human life and dignity. All levels of govt have not learned from the past dealing with H1N1 or SARS.
There are several pandemic reports sitting on shelves at Queens Park and Ottawa gathering dust. Teresa Tam co authored a pandemic report in 2006 with over 50 recommendations. Were any of the recommendations addressed during her tenure at the Federal level. Sadly none of them were. How can these elected officials in Canada be taken seriously when they can not even protect the most vulnerable members of our society..
The neglect of our Health Care system over the years is the main reason why we are now in lockdown. So now the economy and the people of Canada must all suffer the consequences.
Canadians need to elect people who actually believe the healthcare of our nation is a priority. Maybe it’s high time we dusted off some of those emergency preparedness reports that are collecting dust and actually act on some if not all the recommendations. The Romanow report on Health care reform might be a good starting point for politicians of all stripes. Actions speak louder than words.
Canadians perishing needlessly because are elected officials put all their emphasis on cost. What is the cost of human life? You all have the blood of innocent lives on your hands due to neglect. Shame on all of you.
Peter Crozier says
Take your energy and focus on the LTC centres, stop playing politics with the lives of our seniors. This government is more concerned about re-election than the health of the citizens. All about optics, zero substance. Thanks for 14+ years of nothing Norm. For someone who does nothing, how do you keep getting reelected? It’s nice to see new blood moving into Muskoka, time to get rid of the old guard and their antiquated political ideology.
Mary Ann Lake says
And yet you forced kids and teachers into unsafe environments when you voted down the smaller class sizes. Hypocrite.
Paul Dancer says
Thanks for the information. I am surprised and disappointed that seniors over age 80 are not included in the 1st priority group and wont be started before end of March. Clearly they are in the highest risk group for hospitalizations and death from this virus, and in other provinces and countries I think they are in the top group. In many countries in Europe they are already being vaccinated. Behind the LTC residents is fine, but most of them need to have help and contact from the outside world and are struggling to stay safe, and in good mental health as well.
Is this the same prioritization as other provinces? If not why would the provinces not have the same priorities based on the science? It seems to me these seniors are being left behind in Ontario and I don’t understand why.
Brenda Begg says
I’m very fortunate and grateful; I’m one of the privileged who can order online. I have a credit card, computer, and knowledge with respect to placing an online order. I can also drive to the store to pick up my order, curb side, mailbox, or post office. However, there are many people who do not have credit cards, not because they don’t want one but because they don’t qualify for one; and, some people don’t have a computer and/or the skills to place an online order. Some people live pay check to pay check and they pay with cash or a debit card. You cannot order online from Walmart, Canadian Tire, Staples, Home Depot, The Bay, and other stores without a credit card. That some big box stores are still open is advantageous for those who cannot order online. But, there certainly shouldn’t be large groups of people gathering in any big box stores during lockdown. It’s management’s responsibility to follow directives.