Although the local medical officer of health indicated it is too early to predict whether the same coloured framework will be put in place for health unit districts in Ontario following the current stay-at-home order, Dr. Jim Chirico admitted he is not a fan of the system.
"I think it's really important that we learn from our past experience and we have to ask ourselves — and the province has to ask — how effective was it? Was it helpful to have zones that are differing in their restrictions?" asks Chirico. "My personal feeling is no — it doesn't help — because human nature being human nature, what we've experienced in the past is areas of high restrictions near areas with low restrictions, people travel and that's how the virus spreads."
Chirico added the discussions about zones had not taken place as of late last week. Without an extension, the stay-at-home order is set to expire May 20, in the days leading up to the Victoria Day long weekend. Initially, Premier Doug Ford announced a four-week order then extended it to six weeks in mid-April.
"I've never shied away from tough decisions and today I'm here to do just that," said Ford in announcing the order's extension and new restrictions, April 16. "We're losing the battle between the variants and vaccines. The pace of our vaccine supply has not kept up with the spread of the COVID variants."
"We have to critically look at it, look at the evidence and the science and make the best decision on that information," Chirico said during the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit's weekly media availability. "That's what we are recommending happens before any decisions are made."
See related articles from our archives:
- Lockdown to begin for all of Ontario on Boxing Day as cases soar in province
- North Bay stays in shutdown as Ontario provides relief to other parts of the province
- Stay-at-home orders continued for North Bay-Parry Sound
- Lockdown over! North Bay Parry Sound returning to 'Red' level
- Here's what we can do in the 'red' level
- Chirico didn't support moving North Bay to Yellow
- North Bay stays at yellow, Timiskaming in red, as two other regions move to new levels in response to COVID worries
- We will enforce the stay-at-home order says North Bay police chief
Asked whether high case counts in neighbouring districts or short supply of vaccine concerned him more, Chirico chose a separate option as even more pressing, saying maintaining the integrity of the health care system was at the forefront of all public health decisions. He added, despite our low local case numbers, this can change rapidly.
"The way that we're going to win this battle, and slow the spread, flatten the curve — and prevent our health care system from being overrun — is for people to be following the public health measures," said Chirico. "Everybody knows what to do. We've been at this long enough. And, people know that they have to use good judgment and they simply have to stay away from other people and go out only for essential reasons."
