Just over two dozen people gathered at Town Hall today in protest against Muskoka’s continued linkage to Simcoe County within the province’s COVID-19 response framework.
The framework, which determines which zone a region is in and therefore which restrictions will be imposed on its businesses and residents, is applied to health units as a whole. Muskoka, which has had relatively few cases per 100,000 since the pandemic began, is linked to Simcoe County, which has had a much higher rate of transmission of the coronavirus.
Today’s protest was organized by local residents Peri Coombs and Paige Jackson, and included comments from local business owner Stacey Thornton, as well as speakers from outside the region.
“These lockdowns are detrimental to a community that is already on a seasonal-based profit margin,” said Jackson, adding that in addition to the impact on businesses and livelihoods, repeated lockdowns are damaging to mental health and contribute to increased harmful substance use and domestic violence. She referenced a July 2020 document released by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit called Mitigating Harms of COVID-19 Public Health Measures: Situational Assessment Report.
Stacey Thornton, owner of Oribis Muskoka Barbershop and Salon, took the microphone to reiterate a passionate message she had posted to social media in late February.
“The lockdowns have caused many small businesses to close their doors permanently,” said Thornton. “Many businesses are also hemorrhaging money just trying to keep their doors open [in compliance with public health requirements].” She added that since the pandemic began, her business has had to close for more than six months in total and as a result she lost more than $50,000 in revenue.
“If the powers that be feel the need to put us into the Grey zone once again, I’m sure we would lose a lot of incredible small businesses in Muskoka,” said Thornton. “If those closures are due to COVID-19 numbers from an area over an hour away, it would be for nothing. We are not asking to be separated from Simcoe completely, just when deciding lockdowns based on the virus data. It’s the only thing that makes sense.”
Coombs and Jackson said in an advance media release that the protest was not anti-mask or anti-lockdown— although many of those in attendance were not wearing masks—but was to demand that Premier Doug Ford, Parry Sound Muskoka MPP Norm Miller, and Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit medical officer of health, Dr. Charles Gardner “immediately implement a public health framework that allows for Muskoka to stand alone with its COVID-19 case count for future lockdown considerations.”
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James Rockwell says
Of course they weren’t wearing masks, they were distanced. Did the writer not see the picture I’m looking at (see top).
Sham Dowar says
In Huntsville locals are concerned about out people from out of town spreading Covid this picture clearly indicate who is the real problem protesting without mask NOT COOL, there are some stores that turn a blind eye on locals not wearing mask i guess they know their locals so well they don’t require a mask.
William Brown says
These protesters seem to ignore the fact that in March, Huntsville has had 18 covid cases confirmed. Huntsville has become a “hotspot”. They think we should ignore that?? Do they know or care about the consequences of separating from the Simcoe/Muskoka health unit??
Margaret Brown says
Re: William Brown You are a riot! A “hotspot?” 18 cases!
Have you been affected by your business being closed?
Huntsville should NOT be in the same health unit as Barrie.
And the protestors are clearly distanced from one another.
I think they are the citizens that care about others and the toll the lockdown has
done to many people. Economically as well as mentally.
Wayne Sinclair says
I guess the previous posters don’t really understand the impact on our community of being grouped in with Simcoe in the Covid fight. I agree one hundred percent that we need to be cut from Simcoe to protect the community interest of our business going under. We have been unfairly pulled down with Barrie and other surrounding towns when our case count has been from day one has been one of the lowest in the province.
Brenda Laking says
There is an advantage to being lumped with Simcoe. It is considered a hot spot so it is getting priority for vaccine rollout. If you want businesses to open up asap, stick with Simcoe and get ready to roll up your sleeve.