City Preps COVID-Safe Rec Programs, While Province Extends Stay-at-Home Order

When the Government of Ontario announced changes to the stay-at-home order a few weeks to allow for the re-opening of outdoor recreation facilities, there was a question mark locally about splash pads. On Tuesday, the City of Guelph cleared the question mark and announced dates for the opening of water-based amenities, plus summer recreation programs, while the Province formally announced the extension of the order. Continue reading “City Preps COVID-Safe Rec Programs, While Province Extends Stay-at-Home Order”

Ontario Moves to Accelerate Second Doses, While Schools Left Waiting for News

The Government of Ontario is full-speed ahead on a “two dose summer” according to Premier Doug Ford in a Friday announcement from Queen’s Park. Starting on Monday, people over 80 will begin receiving their second doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, but progress on vaccines seems to have come at the expense of progress on re-opening schools as the week ends with no announcement on education. Continue reading “Ontario Moves to Accelerate Second Doses, While Schools Left Waiting for News”

Ontario Government Authorizes AstraZeneca Use for Second Dose

There are 55,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine that are going to expire in just over a week, but the Provincial government has put a pause on handing out AstraZeneca has a first dose. What do you do? If you’re Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams, you authorize the release of those doses for people to receive their second shot of the vaccine. Continue reading “Ontario Government Authorizes AstraZeneca Use for Second Dose”

Ford Announces New Three Stage Re-Opening, Outdoor Rec is Back this Weekend

Say goodbye to the colour system, and hello to the three-step program! In advance of the long-weekend, Premier Doug Ford, Health Minister Christine Elliott, and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams made an announcement meant to offer a “transparent and predictable plan” that will guide the province’s re-opening starting this weekend with the re-opening of outdoor recreational amenities. Continue reading “Ford Announces New Three Stage Re-Opening, Outdoor Rec is Back this Weekend”

Schreiner Slams Ford for Lack of Pandemic Leadership on Open Sources

It’s been a difficult few weeks down at Queen’s Park as the government has struggled in its response to the third wave of the pandemic. There’s been a lot of criticism about the decisions being made by Premier Doug Ford and his ministers, and a lot of struggle by Premier Ford and his ministers to undo some of their bad media coverage. How are they doing? Let’s talk to Guelph’s own Member of Provincial Parliament. Continue reading “Schreiner Slams Ford for Lack of Pandemic Leadership on Open Sources”

Ford Intends to Have the “Most Normal July and August as Possible”

Premier Doug Ford appeared in front of cameras for the first time in almost two weeks to announce that restrictions on outdoor recreation facilities will be lifted on June 2, but he then blamed snow birds, the Federal government, and people with private jets for the present predicament. Ford explained that Ontario has to say the course to have the “most normal July and August as possible,” but there are still conditions. Continue reading “Ford Intends to Have the “Most Normal July and August as Possible””

Ford Apologizes for Third Wave Missteps, Promises Plans for Sick Days

Nearly a week after the last time he was in front of cameras, Premier Doug Ford came out of quarantine for a minute on Thursday morning to say he was wrong. Apologizing for the overreach of the COVID restrictions he announced last Friday, Ford appeared emotional as he talked about what he did wrong, why he wants a second chance, and why now is finally the time to get serious about paid sick days. Continue reading “Ford Apologizes for Third Wave Missteps, Promises Plans for Sick Days”

Ontario Government Closes Playgrounds, Increases Police Powers to Fight COVID

Two more weeks for the stay-at-home order, no more golfing or playgrounds, checkpoints at provincial land borders, all non-essential construction halted, big box retail at 25 per cent capacity max, and no outdoor gatherings with people outside your household. Those are some of the new, more restrictive COVID-19 protection measures announced Friday, but they probably won’t be the most controversial. Continue reading “Ontario Government Closes Playgrounds, Increases Police Powers to Fight COVID”

RECAP: Board of Health Hears Update as Pandemic Rapidly Changes Again

This month’s Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Board of Health meeting took place in the immediate shadow of a new stay-at-home and State of Emergency order from the Government of Ontario. In this Twitter thread covering the meeting, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Nicola Mercer and her staff explained the decision making behind the cancellation of in-person learning at area schools, and the progress of the region’s vaccination efforts. Continue reading “RECAP: Board of Health Hears Update as Pandemic Rapidly Changes Again”

Submitting to Pressure, Ontario’s Going Back Under State of Emergency

After several days of sustained pressure, and an increasing number of new daily COVID-19 cases, the Government of Ontario finally bowed to the demands of doctors and public health workers around the province and issued a stay at home order. As of 12:01 am on Thursday, Ontario will be under its third state of emergency order since the start of the pandemic in a last ditch effort to get the virus, and its variants, under control. Continue reading “Submitting to Pressure, Ontario’s Going Back Under State of Emergency”