ERIN – Masks, social distancing enforcement, getting a break on taxes and offers to volunteer were the main topics raised at the Town of Erin’s second telephone town hall, on the evening of April 9.
About 15 callers asked questions of a panel that included Mayor Allan Alls; Kari Simpson, CEO of East Wellington Community Services; Inspector Paul Richardson of Wellington OPP; and Dr. Rabia Kahn, lead physician at the East Wellington Family Health Team.
Kahn fielded a couple of questions about masks and whether people should use them.
“The most important thing is to is to make sure you keep social distance and wash your hands,” she said. “Personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves and masks can give a false assurance.
“We really should leave the masks and gloves to the frontline health workers,” she went on, adding the clinics in the health team are collecting and distributing PPE if anyone has some to donate.
When pressed by a second caller, Kahn said wearing a scarf or bandana or carpenter grade mask can afford some protection, “but if you are closer than six feet, droplets can get through.”
The best defense is physical distancing and washing your hands, she repeated.
East Wellington Community Services has switched gears but is still in full swing, Simpson said. There’s no safe way for volunteers to help right now, but she encouraged people to be good neighbours and reach out to the agency for help.
Same with volunteer clean-up projects in parks.
“No,” Alls told a caller who asked. “Staff is working to clean up parks.”
Richardson said social distancing is a health recommendation, while limiting groups to five is provincial legislation, which they can enforce.
“Our approach is education,” Richardson said.
One caller felt the municipality should pass a bylaw requiring physical distancing.
“Legislation has to be within the Charter of Rights and Freedoms,” Richardson said.
“I’m not prepared to make rules we can’t enforce,” Alls said.
“We are all frustrated. Stay at home, wash your hands and we will get through this quicker than installing laws.”
