- by Anne Finlay-Stewart, Editor
While Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound is not represented by a member of Premier Freord's cabinet, our neighbours in Huron-Bruce are. What should cabinet be discussing today as Public Health Ontario reports 16,714 COVID-19 cases and warns the true number of infections is likely higher.
We are sharing this statement by Mike Schreiner, MPP for Guelph and Leader of the Green Party of Ontario, as a starting point of discussion for local residents.
“If we want to protect Ontarians and limit the pressure on hospitals from the omicron surge, Doug Ford needs to make workplace safety a priority. And that includes schools, which will be on the frontlines as classes resume this week.
If today’s reported cabinet meeting does nothing to protect frontline workers and students or address the nursing shortage crisis, it will be a failure by the Ford government.
Making workplaces safer means:
- Fully acknowledging that COVID-19 is airborne and launching a mass information campaign to inform the public of how the virus actually spreads;
- implementing airborne measures, like making N95 masks available for all frontline workers, educators and students;
- investing in proper ventilation and filtration to improve air quality in vulnerable workplaces and congregate living;
- free rapid tests strategically provided to frontline workplaces including schools;
- 10 paid sick days and
- up-to-date reporting on the latest outbreaks.
The fact that Doug Ford threw in the towel on COVID-19 reporting in schools is wrong and dangerous. Parents, students and educators need to know how safe their school is so they can make the appropriate decisions to keep themselves safe....
According to the Ontario Nurses’ Association, nurse vacancy rates across Ontario hospitals are as high as 24%. Nurses are overworked, underpaid and being exposed to COVID-19 at record rates — in Hamilton alone, close to 600 hospital workers are unable to work due to isolation.
Ford can start by recalling the Legislature to immediately repeal Bill 124 so nurses are able to get fair wages and the respect they deserve. And by fast-tracking accreditations for foreign-trained nurses."
