From the Ontario government taking action at high-risk long-term care homes, to community members raising money to support a local cat cafe, here is what we saw in the news this week.
Massive crowds gather at Toronto park
This past weekend brought warm weather, sunshine, and thousands of Canadians out of their homes to enjoy their first taste of summer.
Trinity Bellwoods Park in Toronto saw approximately 10,000 visitors this past Saturday. Officials voiced their concerns about the actions of the park-goers and Premier Doug Ford strongly suggested the attendees get tested for COVID-19.
“I get it,” said Ford in a news conference. “It’s a beautiful day out. Everyone wants to get out and have a great time… But the images I saw – we just can’t have that right now. It’s just too many too close.”
Toronto’s mayor, John Tory, is also receiving flack after images of him at Trinity Bellwoods surfaced showing him wearing his face mask on his chin.
“I fully intended to properly physically distance but it was very difficult to do,” Tory said in a statement on Twitter.
“I wore a mask into the park but failed to use it properly, another thing I’m disappointed about.”
As COVID-19 continues to spread, the premier said the province plans to test “hot spot” communities. According to CBC, Toronto is listed as an area of concern with over 10,000 cases as of May 28. Out of these cases, over 7,000 have recovered.
The Ontario government has extended its emergency orders until June 9, which includes limited gatherings of no more than five people.
Ford urges province to get tested for COVID-19
Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford is urging anyone who wants to get tested for COVID-19 to go to an assessment centre.
“If you feel you need a test, you will be able to get a test,” Ford said in a statement at Queen’s Park.
Currently, Ontario is performing about 11,000 tests per day, according to Global News. Testing is available to anyone displaying symptoms, or anyone who is worried they have come into contact with someone carrying the virus.
“You will not be turned away. You don’t need an appointment. Just show up to a testing centre and they will test you,” Ford said.
In a news conference, Christine Elliott, Ontario’s Minister of Health, said that in the last week there has been a surge of COVID-19 cases that could be linked back to Mother’s Day gatherings.
The recent surge is also why the number of people allowed to gather has not increased.
“Given what happened with the number of people coming down with COVID in the last few days along with what has happened over this past weekend with large groups coming together at Trinity Bellwoods and other parks, Dr. Williams is reluctant to move forward with (increasing the numbers) right away,” Elliott said.
Province steps up for long-term care homes
The Ontario government is taking action after a report issued by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) was made public on Tuesday detailing grim conditions in long-term care homes across the province.
In a news conference on May 27, Premier Doug Ford announced that Ontario’s Ministry of Long-Term Care would take over the management of five long-term care homes which are currently receiving assistance from the CAF and dealing with COVID-19 outbreaks.
“I made a commitment to our long-term care residents and their families that there would be accountability and justice after receiving the military’s heart-breaking report on the state of five of our homes,” Ford said in a news release.
The CAF report detailed conditions such as: insect infestations, improper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), rotting food in patient rooms, insufficient wound care, and lack of proper social distancing measures to stop the spread of COVID-19.
The provincial government is to inspect other high-risk homes over the next few weeks.
“What we saw in the reports from the Canadian Armed Forces is gut-wrenching and appalling,” Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Long-Term Care, said in the news release.
“Our inspectors are professionals like nurses, dieticians and physiotherapists and they will stop at nothing to ensure all high-risk homes are quickly returned to places of safety and stability.”
Allegations put forward in the military’s report may lead to: police investigations and criminal charges, inspections into worker health and safety, public health inspections for food preparation, and referrals to professional colleges for violations of practice standards.
U of G co-op students to help with fall online course delivery
The University of Guelph is looking to hire 75 co-op students to assist faculty and students in the move to online learning this upcoming fall semester.
This decision follows the University’s recently announced plan to adopt a “hybrid” fall semester, with some classes taking place on campus, and others taking place online.
According to a news release, the initiative is funded by the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) of Employment and Social Development Canada.
The positions aim to help co-op students fulfill work placement requirements, as such opportunities are scarce during the pandemic. Students will be compensated up to $7,000 for their work.
“This is a win-win,” said Cate Dewey, associate vice-president (academic), in the news release.
“Co-op students are looking for subject-specific work placements to complete their co-op turn. Faculty are looking for help developing strong academic courses for the fall semester.”
Dewey said students involved will participate in various workshops which will earn them a certificate in course redesign and remote pedagogy.
“Because of the general uncertainty and what’s happening with the economy, many of our employers are not able to hire students for the summer,” said Elaine Fenner, director of experiential learning.
Fenner said that many tools and supports are vital to hybrid learning.
Students will help to provide these aids by developing multimedia assets, creating videos, and assisting in proofreading course materials.
Fenner also said that faculty and academic partners are facing the challenge of preparing and delivering courses online during the current pandemic, and that “it made good sense to partner faculty and co-op students.”
Cat cafe brings community together
Nearly $5,000 has been raised through GoFundMe to help a popular downtown Guelph business.
According to guelphtoday.com, on May 24 a man smashed the front door of My Kitty Cafe and took $20 to $30 of change from the till, as well as a bottle of pop, from the hybrid convenience store and cat cafe.
Due to the nature of its offerings, the business has remained open during the pandemic as an essential service, selling both convenient store goods and pet foods.
The owner of the cafe, Min Kim, said many people were concerned about the safety of the cats following the break-in. However, all of the cats had been brought to a shelter in March.
The cafe has helped over 900 cats find homes. The space has a room dedicated to cat interaction and play, with rules set to ensure the cats are handled properly, and are well-socialized.
The GoFundMe page was organized by Angela Britton, a supporter of Kim and his business. Within 24 hours of posting, the fund had raised over $4,600.
Kim said the money will help him maintain his business during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Everybody is suffering and people don’t have money and still are willing to help and put their time and effort into it,” Kim told GuelphToday.com. “It’s amazing, the love people can have for other human beings and to care for one another.”
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