Catégorie : Reflet-News (Russell-Embrun-Casselman)

The United Counties of Prescott-Russell council (UCPR) gave unanimous consent during its January 26 session to approve a new policy for mandatory vaccination of all paramedics assigned to Prescott-Russell Emergency Services ambulances. The new policy reverses the original policy in 2021 that required paramedics to undergo regular mandatory rapid antigen testing (RAT) two or three times a week and make regular use of personal protective equipment like face shields, masks, and gloves. 

In a report to UCPR council, Marc-André Périard, emergency services director, noted that during the past month the number of rapid-anti gen tests for all paramedics within Ontario has increased to the point that keeping regional emergency services supplied with the tests is becoming difficult. 

“By mandating vaccines for paramedics and reducing the amount of RAT being used for the unvaccinated,” Périard stated, “we would be able to save these RAT for staff that have been vaccinated but need to be tested as per provincial testing guidelines to ensure they are able to continue working, thus creating less strain on our human resources.” 

The new policy takes effect as of January 26. All paramedics must provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, including both the original two inoculations and also the booster injection. The information will remain confidential with both the UCPR emergency services and human resources departments. 

The policy also recognizes that some paramedics may not be able to get vaccinated for either medical or religious or cultural reasons. Paramedics who need an exemption from the policy for medical reasons must provide an official dated note from either a doctor or nurse-practitioner explaining their situation. Paramedics who need an exemption on the basis of religion or culture must provide a written request to the human resources director, who will review the request and consider whether or not the Ontario Human Rights Code applies to the case. 

All Prescott-Russell paramedics who do not have a valid exemption must get their full vaccination by February 23. Until then they must take rapid anti-gen testing while on duty. 

Anyone without full vaccination after the February 23 deadline and without a valid exemption will go on leave of absence without pay for up to 30 days. Anyone who continues to refuse mandatory vaccination after the leave of absence is over will be dismissed. 

Parliament Hill was a hubbub of honking Saturday as countless truckers and supporters flooded in from across the country to support what organizers call the Freedom Convoy. Ottawa Police expected between 1,000 and 2,000 vehicles to flood the city, 18-wheelers and regular cars alike gathering to protest public health measures. The convoy is planning to stay until at least Monday but will reportedly continue for as long as necessary. “The city’s going to get gridlocked. Completely,” said Jason LaFace, an organizer with Canada Unity, one of the groups behind the convoy.

Originally, the convoy was to protest vaccine mandates for truckers that cross the border during their deliveries; they are required to be double vaccinated before crossing, or else receive a negative test result and isolate for two-weeks after arriving. But drivers are alone in their trucks the entire drive, so there is no chance of contracting COVID except at pickup and drop-off. Truckers want to know why they should be mandated to vaccinate when everyday Canadians aren’t?

The original goal has been taken over, however, by people opposed to public health measures in general. The GoFundMe page attached to the convoy, started by Tamara Lich of Medicine Hat, Alberta, states that the aim of the convoy is to protest “rules and mandates that are destroying the foundation of our businesses, industries and livelihoods”. Lich didn’t respond to inquiries in time for publication, but the GoFundMe had raised over $8,000,000 at the time of writing. The money will be disbursed to drivers to help with the cost of fuel, food, and lodgings, with any leftover “donated to a credible Veterans organization which will be chosen by the donors”.

Widespread support has been seen for the convoy as people line the highways along its route, shouting and holding up signs to cheer drivers on. People are posting messages of support on social media, tuning into livestreams, and continuing to donate to the GoFundMe.

Not everyone is thrilled about the convoy, however. The people of Ottawa are despairing at the hijacking of their city streets, which will make commuting and getting essentials like groceries difficult. Police and traffic authorities are expecting significant backlogs of traffic for the entire weekend, roads and highway exits have been closed in anticipation, and the Ottawa Police advised on Twitter to, “Avoid any travel to the downtown core.”

Police have also advised that they are towing any illegally parked vehicles, specifically those that block emergency lanes, the Cenotaph, and other public spaces. Vehicles have already been towed away from one off-limits monument; « Parking on this sacred ground that includes the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was a sign of complete disrespect, » Mayor Jim Watson said on Twitter.

The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) has made it clear it does not support « any protests on public roadways, highways and bridges, » and in a statement last weekend, the association noted the majority of the Canadian trucking industry is vaccinated. « The Government of Canada and the United States have now made being vaccinated a requirement to cross the border. This regulation is not changing so, as an industry, we must adapt and comply with this mandate, » said CTA president Stephen Laskowski.

In addition, officials and citizens are concerned by ties to far-right ideology that have been reported in the convoy. Confederate flags have been spotted flying from vehicles, and multiple participants have brought signs that compare vaccine mandates to Communism, Nazism, and the Holocaust. 

The annual Bell Let’s Talk Day event in Canada encourages people to talk about mental health issues. Bell has been sponsoring the event since 2011 and donates five cents to Canadian mental health programs for every social media post that use #BellLetsTalk during the day. 

The South Nation Conservation Authority (SNC) also wants residents of communities within the South Nation River watershed and outside of the region to consider going outdoors on Lets Talk Day and any other day to help promote both physical and mental health. Being physically active outdoors during the winter is a good way to help prevent feelings of depression and anxiety that may be exacerbated by the short days and long nights. 

“Stepping into nature and staying active is more important now than ever,” stated Shannon Gutoski, SNC communications specialist. “Nature can enhance our health and happiness.” 

The Canadian Mental Health Association noted that many people feel more depressed during the winter season. The pandemic, with its past history of lockdowns and restrictions on social gatherings and other actitivities, has also helped create anxiety and stress for many people. Getting outdoors during the daytime, enjoying the sunlight, and getting active through solo or family activities like snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or tobogganing can provide both emotional and mental relief. 

The SNC has numerous conservation areas open during the winter for outdoor recreation. They include the W.E. Burton and J. Henry Tweed sites in Russell, Two Creeks Forest and Robert Graham Forest in South Dundas, Warwick Forest in North Stormont, and Oschmann Forest in North Dundas. The SNC also provides trail grooming assistance at Nokomis Park in Limoges and the Russell Recreational Trail. All visitors to SNC conservation areas and trails are asked to show respect to other users and to practise social distancing when encountering other trail users. 

“To help everyone enjoy outdoor experiences, please be respectful towards other visitors,” stated Gutoskie. “Many people get outdoors to enjoy nature and seek some solitude. Excessive noise, unleashed pets, and obstructive behavior can take away from the experience, and you never know just how important that experience may be for some.”  

Dr. Roumelioutis, medical officer of health for the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU), joined Dr. Paula Stewart, medical officer of health with the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit (LGLHU), to update the CDSBEO on the current status of COVID-19 and school reopening. 

“Multiple layers of protection are very important for the return to school in Ontario,” said Dr. Roumeliotis. “Well fitted masks are very important, along with the enhanced cohorting measures, daily screening, improved ventilation, and of course, we need to continue to promote vaccination. We do know that with Omicron you are certainly well protected against being admitted to hospital with vaccination, versus those who are unvaccinated. Two doses will prevent severe disease, although it will not prevent infection, and a third booster dose will increase both protection against contracting the virus as well as severe disease.”  

The number of cases peaked in December, and although the cases are gradually decreasing, they’re still very high since a surge over Christmas. The strategy has changed since then; the numbers are too high to follow up on every individual case and identify high-risk contacts for everyone, so instead, the province is allowing the public to manage their respiratory infections themselves and go for medical help if needed. 

If someone suspects they have COVID-19, they should isolate for a period and adhere to all public health measures even more strictly. Children under 12, and anyone fully vaccinated, should isolate for at least five days until their symptoms have continued improving for 24 to 48 hours. They should wear a fitted mask for those five days, maintain two metres of distance, and avoid seniors and anyone with weak immune systems. Anyone 12 and older who isn’t fully vaccinated should isolate for at least ten days until their symptoms have shown to improve.  

Members of the same household as someone with symptoms and/or a positive test must also isolate for the same length of time as the person with symptoms. It is recommended that anyone with symptoms or a positive test inform potential high-risk contacts of their status, as they will have to isolate as well; COVID is contagious a few days before symptoms begin to show. 

Schools will be handing out rapid antigen tests for use by people with symptoms. Two tests should be taken 24 to 48 hours apart, as a single negative test does not rule out COVID. If one of the tests is positive, assume it’s COVID and follow the isolation protocols. Even if both tests are negative, then it is unlikely to be COVID, but isolation is still needed until symptoms improve for 24 to 48 hours.  

Health officials are doing everything they can to ensure schools can stay open. According to data presented by the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table, school closures are associated with substantial harm to students’ mental health; social isolation is a major contributor to the worsening of children’s mental health in Ontario. 

“A study of Ontario children aged 6 to 18 with no pre-existing psychiatric diagnosis demonstrated increased clinically significant symptoms of depression and/or anxiety,” said Dr. Roumeliotis. “The proportion of children with clinically significant symptoms of depression and/or anxiety nearly tripled during the COVID-19 pandemic to 1 in 4 for depression and 1 in 5 for anxiety. »