Statement from Mayor Bigger – November 15th COVID-19 Update
Nov 15, 2020
For Immediate Release
November 15th, 2020
Statement from Mayor Bigger – November 15th COVID-19 Update
Friends and fellow residents,
As we have learned from the Medical Officer of Health, Greater Sudbury has been moved into 'Yellow - Protect' as our case load has increased dramatically over the last week. It is imperative that we all follow this direction from the experts in public health. As we have all seen on the news, the projections for the spread of a second wave are very real and very much cause for worry. When COVID-19 first presented in the spring, as a community, we all collectively sacrificed to ensure we kept our seniors, children and the medically vulnerable as safe as possible. We succeeded, but now as we face a second wave of predicted cases - we need to act now and get ahead of any possible increased transmission.
Together we can do this. Here again are the directions WE ALL need to follow:
- Limit travel outside the home to the following:
- Attending school or work. Work from home if possible.
- Essential trips for groceries, medication, and medical appointments.
- Limit in-person social interactions to people within your household. Minimize interactions with people who don’t live in your house and one or two persons who are essential to maintaining physical and mental health (e.g. caregivers, social supports to someone who lives alone). This means you should avoid in-person social interactions with friends, with co-workers when not at work, and with extended family. When dining at restaurants, going to the movies, or partaking in other social activities, you should limit it to your household members.
- Stay home if you have any symptoms of illness, however mild. While it is cold season now and many of us are used to mild infections at this time of year, a mild illness could be COVID-19 and may be much more severe for someone else who might catch it from us. Complete the Ministry of Health COVID-19 self-assessment tool or contact a local testing and assessment centre to determine if you should be tested for COIVD-19. By staying home if sick, we protect everyone else in our community.
- Wear a face covering if you need to be closer than two (2) metres from someone outside your home during essential trips. Being in close contact with people presents the greatest risk of transmitting COVID-19, along with being in closed or crowded spaces. In Ontario, you must use a face covering (Government of Ontario) in public indoor spaces and whenever physical distancing is a challenge unless there is an exemption.
- Wash or sanitize your hands often, cough or sneeze into your sleeve.
- Limit exercise and recreation to outdoor spaces where physical distancing is possible.
- Avoid travel outside of our area, especially to areas with high numbers of COVID-19 cases, unless for emergencies or urgent medical appointments.
As Dr. Sutcliffe has implied - it will be ultimately up to each of us how this virus spreads. I have ageing parents and young grandchildren - both who I am hoping to somehow see this Christmas. I am sure this is a situation most of us find ourselves in. So let's pull back on going out. When we do go out - make it for a good reason and mask up. Reschedule that dinner with friends. Take a jog by yourself instead of heading to the gym. If you feel sick - don't go to school or work. Little things can add up - and I know we can do this.
We are a strong, resilient and adaptable community. We showed our resolve in the spring and our summer was nearly COVID free. We set the example for other communities in Canada to follow - so let's get back there now. We have a lot to look forward to, but we all need to be positive, make smart choices and choose the right path to get there.
Be safe and be smart, Greater Sudbury.
Mayor Brian Bigger
City of Greater Sudbury
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Media contact:
Melissa Zanette
Office of the Mayor
City of Greater Sudbury
Phone: 705-674-4455 ext. 2521
E-mail: melissa.zanette@greatersudbury.ca