From the Ontario government announcing Stage 2 of reopening, to celebrities coming together on Youtube to celebrate the Class of 2020, here is what we saw in the news this week.
City of Guelph employee placed on leave for Facebook post
A City of Guelph employee has been placed on leave after making a Facebook post belittling the Black Lives Matter protest that happened in Guelph on Saturday.
The post, which has since been taken down, was originally on the Overheard At Guelph Facebook page and criticized protesters for coming together during a pandemic.
Users in the group originally thought the city employee was a member of the Guelph Police Services and tagged @GPSmedia to get a response.
“The Guelph Police Service would like to assure the public that this individual is not, and has not at any time been a member of the Guelph Police Service in any capacity. We are aware of the comments and we are currently looking into the situation,” the Guelph Police Services said in a media release.
In a statement on Twitter, Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie said the comments made on the social media platform do not reflect the City of Guelph’s values and that the city holds a strong belief in an inclusive culture of respect and collaboration.
In a separate release, Chief Gord Cobey thanked upwards of 5000 protesters for marching peacefully during the protest.
“We are grateful for the engagement and dialogue we have had with the leaders of the Guelph Black Heritage Society and other community leaders,” Cobey said. “As a Service, we are committed to continuing this dialogue to more fully understand the extent and impact that racism, prejudice and bias has in our community.”
Parts of Ontario enter Stage 2 of reopening
The Ontario government has announced that parts of the province are moving to Stage 2 of reopening, including the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph area.
“As a result of efforts of all Ontarians to stop the spread of COVID-19, many regions have met the criteria to move into the next stage of our reopening plan, including a decrease in new daily cases and sufficient hospital capacity in the event of any spikes in cases or outbreaks,” said Minister Elliott in a news release.
Businesses allowed to reopen, following the appropriate health and safety precautions, include: hair salons, outdoor patios for restaurants, indoor shopping malls, outdoor recreation areas, drive-in theatres and private campgrounds.
Beginning today social gathering limitations have been eased province-wide, regardless of Stage 2 status, allowing for gatherings of up to 10 people.
However, areas like Niagara Falls, Windsor, Hamilton and the Greater Toronto Area will enter Stage 2 reopening at a later date.
“We will continue to keep a close eye on regions that will not open this Friday,” Premier Doug Ford said in a news conference on June 8.
“We need just a little more time. We will continue talking to local officials who are playing a critical role in determining which areas will be able to reopen. And I am confident that the rest of the province will get to Stage 2 very soon.”
Ford also mentioned that the Stage 2 of reopening will allow people to resume other aspects of their daily lives such as wedding ceremonies and funerals, in which up to ten people may attend.
Face coverings now mandatory in businesses
With the province entering Stage 2 of reopening, many people may find themselves stocking up on face masks.
In a media release, Dr. Nicola Mercer, Medical Officer of Health for Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph, issued an order under Section 22 of the Health Protection and Promotion act to address safety concerns as the province moves forward with Stage 2 of reopening certain regions of the province.
The act prohibits people from entering a business if they are not wearing a face covering.
In the order, Dr. Mercer defined face coverings as “a medical mask or a non-medical mask or other face coverings such as a bandana, a scarf or cloth that covers the mouth, nose and chin.”
People may only remove their face coverings if the service provided by the business requires so, otherwise patrons must ensure they’re wearing the covering properly at all times.
“Moving our region to Phase 2 is an important next step,” said Dr. Mercer in the release. “As we move to reopen, we must always look to balance the economic needs of our region with the health and safety of the public.”
Exemptions from having to wear face coverings include: being a child under the age of two, having breathing obstructed, and for any other medical reason where a person cannot safely wear their face covering.
Businesses must now also have alcohol-based hand sanitizer available for use by patrons upon entering and exiting the place of business to prevent community transmission.
“The best available evidence indicates face coverings reduce the possibility of transmission of COVID-19,” said Dr. Mercer. “By ensuring we can move to Phase 2 in the safest way possible, we are all making an investment in a safer community.”
New program aims to bring students closer to graduation
The Ontario government has announced a framework for a new program that will allow post-secondary students to receive in-person instruction starting July 2020.
According to a media release, the program will help students in essential, high-labour and frontline markets who were unable to graduate this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“Whether it’s donating PPE, researching a vaccine or treatment, or helping with contact tracing, our students, researchers and postsecondary community in Ontario have stepped up in a big way to support our frontline health care workers in response to COVID-19,” said Premier Doug Ford in the release.
“Now, we have to have their backs and make sure our students keep learning, in class or virtually, and become the next generation of frontline heroes, innovators and community builders.”
The government will provide institutions that choose to reopen with a general framework on safe reopening procedures, however, it is up to the specific institution to abide by its local public health guidelines.
In a press conference on June 10, Minister of Colleges and Universities Ross Romano said there will be social distancing measures in place and there will be screening measures at the door of every institution.
“The health and safety of our students, faculty and staff remains a top priority for Ontario’s universities,” David Lindsay, President and CEO of the Council of Ontario Universities said in the media release.
“Our institutions will continue to work diligently to provide the safest options for summer and fall enrolment that both align with public health regulations and ensure students continue to receive a high quality education and an enriching university experience that ensures they graduate with the adaptable skills required to help retool and reimagine industries, stimulate economic growth and rebuild Ontario.”
Youtube releases celebratory video for Class of 2020
Students might be missing out on grad ceremonies this year, but some of their favourite artists and celebrities have come together to acknowledge student achievements and express their congratulations.
On June 7, Youtube released a four-and-a-half hour long special called Dear Class of 2020 where celebrities, world leaders, and Youtube personalities spoke to this year’s graduating class.
Lady Gaga, Michelle Obama, Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Malala, Lizzo and BTS are just a few of the names who offered up words of encouragement to the graduating class.
Katy Perry was accompanied by her baby bump to sing her new single “Daisies” to the class of 2020. Perry also performed her 2010 hit “Firework”.
Some of the cast members of Schitt’s Creek teamed up with Mariah Carey to provide a humourous graduation speech, and to perform Carey’s hit ‘Hero’.
Some speeches were used as platforms to speak about the injustices society is facing.
Lady Gaga spoke about systemic racism in America and how graduates are witnessing a pivotal part of their country’s evolution. Gaga used nature as a metaphor to explain roots of racism in the country.
“When I imagine racism in America, I imagine a broad forest filled densely with tall trees,” Gaga said during her speech.
“Trees as old as this country itself. Trees that were planted with racist seeds. Trees that grew prejudice branches and oppressive leaves and mangled roots that buried and entrenched themselves deep within the soil forming a web so well-developed and so entangled that it pushes back when we try to look clearly at how it really works.”
Barack Obama, former President of the United States, brought the focus back to the graduates by joking about the graduations of his past.
“Don’t let the lack of a big crowded ceremony take anything away from what your graduation signifies,” Obama said during his speech.
“And wherever you are, take lots of photos. Although, when I look at my graduation pictures the main thing I realize is that I should have gotten a haircut more often.”
Please visit www.theontarion.com/submit to find out how you can share your work with The Ontarion.