As we inch closer to the school year, parents and educators (and students as well) are wondering what in-class learning will look like when the kids start going back the day after Labour Day. As Guelph and area’s separate school board works out the details, the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Medical Officer of Health is offering her two cents and endorsing the call to have students mask up. Continue reading “Mercer Endorses Mask Mandate at Upper Grand School Board”
As we enter midsummer, and the fifth full month living in a COVID-19 world, it seems like some of us are forgetting first principles about stopping the spread of the virus. A joint statement from Mayor Cam Guthrie and Medical Officer of Health Dr. Nicola Mercer is asking Guelphites to remember that there is such a thing as the “new normal” and that everyone still has to follow the advice of public health to slow the spread of COVID. Continue reading “Guthrie and Mercer Ask for Help to Hold the Line on COVID”
As you may have heard, Guelph is entering Stage 3 of the provincial opening along with much of the rest of Ontario. New rules about what can be open and when now means amending the rules for the wearing of masks, and in advance of Friday’s Stage 3 re-opening, the Medical Officer of Health for Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph has updated her directive to reflect this new phase of things. Continue reading “Public Health Refines Mask Policy Ahead of Stage 3 Re-opening”
We’ve done good so far, but the outbreak’s not over yet. That was the message from the staff of Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health at an unusual July Board of Health meeting on Wednesday. Nearly a month after the area entered Stage 2 of the re-opening, Dr. Nicola Mercer and her colleagues tried to peer into the future and see what we all might be facing pandemic-wise in the months to come. Continue reading “Board of Health Told that Public Health is Already Planning for the Next COVID Wave”
Our area has been under Stage 2 of the re-opening for nearly a month now, and people are eagerly looking for signs that we might soon enter the final stage. Still, our position is precarious. We see what is happening in the United States, and if there’s one thing that we can all agree on, it’s that we do not want to re-enter lockdown. So shall we get a doctor’s advice on how to avoid all that? Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #228 – Still COVID with Doctor Mercer”
As certain regions across the province are counting down to the second phase of the economic re-opening, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health has asked for one thing from all area businesses opening on Friday: have everyone put a mask on. Under Section 22 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act, Dr. Nicola Mercer is insisting that everyone out and about on Friday, and beyond, cover their face for the sake of the public. Continue reading “Public Health Making Masks Mandatory in all Stores in Guelph, Wellington and Dufferin”
At their daily media briefing at Queen’s Park Monday, Premier Doug Ford and members of his cabinet announced that Ontario will begin Stage 2 of the economic re-opening at 12:01 am on Friday June 12. The hitch is that only some portions of the province will move on to Stage 2, as several areas in Ontario will remain at Stage 1 for the time being. Continue reading “Guelph Will Be a Part of Stage 2 Opening of Ontario”
On Wednesday afternoon, the local Board of Health met for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and while the general message was that the pandemic response has been good, it’s not come without cost. Many of the regular programs at Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph have been interrupted due to the pandemic, and the literal price tag to protect us from COVID might be close to $1 million. Continue reading “Public Health Board Told COVID Costs Have Topped $1 Million (So Far)”
Unless people are just passing through, Guelph’s parks have been empty for the better part of the last two months, but some of those restrictions are now being lifted, and just in time for a nice stretch of spring weather. Although people are being asked to maintain social distancing, they will now be able to do it while kicking the ball around at the park. Continue reading “City of Guelph Announces Relaxed Restrictions on Parks”
These are scary times, and one would think that showing up at a medical clinic might give one a little bit of hope and safety. Yesterday though, the COVID-19 assessment centre saw a bit of tragedy of its own as a person reportedly passed away Friday morning at the clinic, which forced the temporary closure of the facility. Continue reading “Public Health Issues Statement on Death at Assessment Clinic”
