Health experts are pleading with Canadians to NOT ignore pandemic precautions and have large family gatherings this holiday season.
They say doing so could result in a “grotesque spike” in novel coronavirus infections in the New Year.
The President of the Ontario Hospital Association, Dr. Samantha Hill, said yesterday, “We have surveys that tell us a lot of Ontarians aren’t planning on abiding by the guidelines over the holidays.”
According to a recent Angus-Reid poll, despite lockdowns across much of the country, three in 10 Canadians plan to visit friends and family locally, while one in 10 said they will travel to different communities to celebrate.
Experts fear that will result in a spike in cases in 2021, which could be much worse than the bumps we’ve seen following Labour Day and Thanksgiving.
However, doctors also acknowledge that this year has been difficult and Canadians are craving human connection.
The OHA is asking residents to take the pledge to #STopTheSpread, by clicking here.
Police say failure to obey emergency orders in the province could result in fines of up to $1,000.
For tips on how to celebrate the season safely, please click here.
Let 2020 be the year you stayed home for the holidays. Your doctors, your nurses, your rts and your hospitals are begging you. @jkwan_md @FarahPMohamed @UofTBMSA @womeninmedsumm @WomenSurgeons @WomenOMA @OttawaHospital @Sunnybrook @AnthonyDaleOHA @thebpao @SickKidsNews https://t.co/1RLPprnk3g
— Samantha Hill (@SamHillMD) December 8, 2020
https://twitter.com/OntHospitalAssn/status/1338505365693091841