With Ontario declaring a third State of Emergency, effective April 8, we are all being asked, once again, to stay home and leave only for essential purposes. Now, more than ever, it is important that we all do our part and stay home.
This lockdown was put in place because of significantly rising rates of infection – the worst our province has seen so far. Our hospitals are overwhelmed, and some surgeries and procedures are being cancelled. This impacts all of us who may require healthcare.
Because of this, the province has implemented a stay-at-home order. You should only go out for necessities, such as:
- the grocery store or pharmacy
- health care services (including going to medical appointments or getting vaccinated)
- outdoor exercise or walking pets in your community
- work that cannot be done remotely
Many seniors have asked SPLC staff if it is ok to go outside for a walk. Yes, it is! We encourage it because it is good for our mental and physical health. Remember to always keep physical distance from others not in your household and always have a mask in case you can not keep your distance.
Our community
Scarborough has been especially affected by COVID-19. Most neighbourhoods are considered hotspots because of high rates of infection. This has been a constant trend throughout the pandemic and it is well known that racialized and lower-income communities in Toronto have been most impacted by COVID-19.
SPLC acknowledges and thanks our community health partners who are working so hard right now to bring vaccinations to these at-risk communities and advocate for vaccines on their behalf.
With so many seniors having been vaccinated, the people being most affected right now are essential workers. They need to work for income, and we need them to keep our essential services, such as grocery stores, running.
SPLC also acknowledges and thanks our own direct service staff who continue to deliver essential in-person care and support to seniors to help them stay well, and to support their caregivers.
While most seniors – and those of us who work with seniors – have received their first dose of the vaccine, it’s still important that we, too, stay at home. We are not fully vaccinated until we get the second shot, which is planned for four months after the first dose.
The vaccine will help protect us from severe illness, but we can still get COVID-19 and pass it onto others. Because of this, we must continue to stay home and take precautions like handwashing, wearing a mask and keeping distance between people.
Our community needs our support now, more than ever.
If we all do our part now while vaccines are being rapidly distributed, we are hopeful that this will be the last time that we are called on to stay home.
Thank you,
Diane Duncan
Executive Director
