By: Ayesha Khan
On Thursday July 30 at 7:00 pm, Ward 7 City Councillor Anthony Perruzza and Humber River-Black Creek MPP Tom Rakocevic hosted a Telephone Town Hall with special guest City of Toronto’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Eileen de Villa to help answer resident’s questions and provide an accessible, neighbourhood-specific outlet for residents to find information. Councillor Perruzza began the event by expressing the unfortunate reality that COVID-19 has laid bare some of the inequities in Toronto and has also created more poverty and stratification. This is acknowledged not just as a political truth but a public health reality.
Dr. de Villa informed residents that while Toronto was in the process of entering Stage 3, people still need to be cautious. Indoor gatherings of up to 50 are allowed provided that everyone is wearing masks, and up to 100 are allowed outdoors provided everyone is distancing and wearing masks when distancing is not possible. Indoor dining as well as gyms and fitness studios have also resumed provided everyone wears masks (except for when dining, but when leaving the table.)
When polled about whether they are following the mandatory mask rules in place, 97% of constituents said that yes, they were. When listeners were asked about having their children go back to school, 61% said they had no children. Of those with children, 6% were comfortable, 19% were somewhat comfortable and 14% were not comfortable with their children returning to school.
Dr. de Villa shared more scientific knowledge with residents, explaining that COVID-19 is spread by tiny droplets undetectable to the eye. While masks do provide some level of protection to oneself, the most important function they serve is to protect others from the droplets coming out of everyone’s respiratory systems, ergo transmission. She explained that when used in conjunction with other PPE however, as in the case of medical and frontline workers, they can be very effective in protecting against contraction of the virus as well.
She mentioned that the highest danger was up close, face to face, direct contact with those who are infected and that even being in an enclosed space that someone who is infected with COVID-19 has been in isn’t as potentially dangerous as actually being in said space with the infected person. She also mentioned that spread via surfaces is low risk, and while spreading through clothing or surfaces may not be the highest method of spread, it’s still important to wash hands and avoid touching one's face, eyes, nose or mouth.
Local community leader Reverend Sky Starr, who has spoken out about anti-Black racism in the Jane Finch community on many occasions, asked Dr. de Villa about the social determinants of health and what can be done about them. Dr. de Villa thanked Reverend Sky for her question, expressing that changing the social determinants of health is a huge endeavour and the community’s willingness to help in this matter goes a long way. Changing these social determinants will involve advocating for accessible housing, income support, education opportunities and very importantly, the right to vote.
In terms of actions, she mentioned that the city has tried to ramp up testing in the most affected areas, often underserved neighbourhoods and is attempting to build stronger communications and cited the town hall. In the process of reporting COVID-19 testing results to the doctor, Toronto Public Health, and staff determine the resident’s living situation to make the appropriate recommendations and referrals to help support their isolation plan.
She also mentioned that the City of Toronto is currently working with provincial and federal partners on the creation of isolation centres where people who do not feel they have the facilities or resources to adequately isolate can do so.
When asked about what workers can do to feel safe going back to work, Dr. de Villa recommended consulting with Occupational Health and Safety, as these guidelines would be different depending on the specific occupation in question.
She also added that there is some evidence for immunity for some time after one has been infected with and healed from COVID-19 but that the disease is new and there is still a lot of emerging knowledge about the virus that will only be learned with time and persistent study.
After offering residents information, the hosts thanked listeners for their contributions both to the townhall and to public health for working to keep everyone safe by doing their part.
For more information, please visit https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/