ELORA – The local Medical Officer of Health took a barrage of questions from Centre Wellington councillors after giving a presentation to them on Sept. 28.
But Dr. Nicola Mercer’s message was the same as always: until there is a vaccine or widespread immunity in the population, COVID-19 restrictions and mask wearing are here to stay.
And it will be at least a year until a vaccine is available, she said.
That means Thanksgiving will have to be different for most people.
“We have to find ways to do things differently,” Mercer said.
“Otherwise, two weeks after Thanksgiving we will see a dramatic increase in cases.”
Mercer said local and provincial cases have been climbing in recent weeks, with daily case numbers rivalling what was seen at the peak of the first wave in April.
What’s different this time is that young people are getting it, a fact Mercer attributes to people becoming more relaxed about social gatherings.
“People are having parties and barbecues with 40 people in their backyard. These are driving this pandemic,” she said.
“People can see each other, just keep a distance, limit numbers and find ways to do things differently.”
Mercer said people over age 50 tend to get a more severe form of the virus and have a harder time fighting it.
While the virus doesn’t seem to have the same impact on young people who are now getting it, “we still don’t know the long-term consequences,” she said.
“We don’t know the long-term consequence on pregnant women or the unborn child. And we won’t know for two to five years.”
Councillor Steven Van Leeuwen said mask wearing can interfere with religious services, and religion is included in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
“Is it worth stepping over the charter for masks?” he asked.
“People don’t have the right to transmit a virus to other people – and churches are high risk settings,” Mercer replied.
“Look, I understand how (restrictions) are hurting our venues – gyms, conference centres, theatres – but those are the exact venues that are causing the worst outcomes.”
Councillor Stephen Kitras asked about a policy to establish natural immunity without a vaccine. He named countries like Finland, Norway and Sweden where masks are not mandated and there hasn’t been a rise in cases. And he drew attention to a policy in Florida, where children are being used to drive immunity.
“Sweden has the highest mortality rate and Florida has done anything but well,” Mercer said.
“Their strategy is to sacrifice a certain age group.
“There is no evidence that children are driving the pandemic and no evidence that herd immunity is long-lasting.”
She said the key to keeping the virus in check is to find the balance between lockdown measures and re-opening schools and businesses and increasing social contacts.
“It’s not about cleaning the doorknobs in our lives. It’s the contacts. People have 30 or 40 or 50 contacts now. Sometimes they don’t even remember,” she said.
“The best strategy is to maintain a distance of six feet from others, limit social contacts, wash hands often, wear a mask, download the COVID alert app, and stay home if sick.
“If we give up, we are going to see a lot of cases,” she said.
“It won’t take much to double the numbers again.”
‘Get creative’
In a Sept. 30 press release, public health officials urged residents to “get creative” to celebrate Thanksgiving differently this year.
“We know now that COVID-19 is more likely to spread from person to person than from things (or surfaces) to person,” stated Mercer in the release.
“This isn’t about the things in our lives, it’s about the people in our lives.”
Officials are suggesting outdoor gatherings, family walks, or connecting with loved ones online as safe ways to “stay connected while keeping COVID-19 at bay.”
“We know now that COVID-19 is more likely to spread from person to person than from things (or surfaces) to person,” stated Mercer.
“This isn’t about the things in our lives, it’s about the people in our lives.”
Officials are reminding residents to:
- practice good hand hygiene;
- maintain physical distancing;
- wear a face covering or a mask;
- keep groups and gatherings small; and
- use the COVID-19 Alert mobile app.
“The severity of the second wave is within our control,” said Mercer.
“I’m asking every single person in Wellington, Dufferin and Guelph to take this virus seriously and do everything they can as individuals and families in this fight.”
