OK. Time for another big breath. We are going to need to pause and breathe many times in the coming months. A reminder to you that we will be OK. Ultimately, we will beat this virus. In the meantime, we need to learn to live with it. By far, most of those infected have mild symptoms. We know so much more about the virus than we did 8 short weeks ago and incredible progress is being made scientifically in the development of effective treatments and a vaccine.
We will get there, no question.
Do not be discouraged. Our fear will wax and wane as time goes on; filled with hope and energy one day, defeated and exhausted the next. What we are experiencing is valid and and it is OK. Seeing large crowds gathering and experiencing a set back in the loosening of restrictions is very upsetting but all part of the process. The facts and recommendations shift and change everyday. It is hard to trust in this shifting landscape which makes it difficult for some to adhere to the rules. But we must. Hand out a few $1,000 fines and those gatherings will stop.
Some clarification around testing, testing centres, when to go for a test and an update on antibody testing.
There is no antibody test available to the general public and there will not be one anytime soon. Scientist are working on this. There is an antibody test being used in the research setting. It needs to be more accurate to be used out here. The antibody test will identify people who have been infected and have mounted an immune response. It is coming.
Premier Ford has expanded the criteria for testing at our COVID 19 testing centres. The only way to get back to some sort of normal is to set a low bar for testing. Once public health is notified of a positive test, that person is asked to quarantine for two weeks and their contacts are traced. Imagine if we could identify where all the positive tests are right now in Ontario. Those folks would be monitored and isolated, their contacts traced and tested and those that test positive would also be monitored and isolated. We'd control the spread of the virus and reduce the number of new daily cases significantly. Restrictions would be loosened and we would carry on until there is a vaccine.
We do not have the capacity to test 18 million people, today. Please get a test if you have even minimal upper respiratory symptoms like a runny nose, cough or sore throat. If your allergy symptoms are worse than normal, get a test. If you have been exposed to someone with COVID 19, get a test. If you work in a high risk field, get a test. But, if you have been self-isolating at home with no public contact as many of our elderly folks have, you do not need to present for testing. If your teenagers have been out and about, get them tested. If you have gathered in a large crowd or you have been in a position where social distancing did not occur, get a test.
The test is easy to do. It is a nasal swab. It is uncomfortable for about 10 seconds. The testing centres are clean and everyone in them is in full PPE. All surfaces are wiped down constantly and everyone waiting is kept 6 feet a part. A security guard is there to enforce this. You will not get COVID 19 at a testing centre.
Some commonly asked questions:
Why get a test if you are just going to get infected four days later? Because all positive tests are quarantined for two weeks. You will not spread the virus and you will contribute to getting the virus under control
Do I need to wear a mask in the car? No. You need to wear a mask in public to prevent others from getting COVID 19 from you.
If my neighbours are socializing, why can't I? Because, if the majority of us broke the rules, the results would be catastrophic. Remember the images from Italy and New York? And your neighbours should be fined. Call a bylaw officer. It is confidential. Some people just need a more powerful reason to follow the rules.
We will get there. Please adhere to the public health guidelines for COVID 19. Especially the rules around social distancing, gathering in crowds ( resist the urge) and staying six feet apart. Pretty simple and manageable. Get out their and enjoy the outdoors. It is so healthy to do so but it must be done with the rules in mind.
Breathe. It is all going to be OK.
On the bright side, the number of daily cases might be up but the number of people admitted to hospital or the ICU with COVID 19 is way down. Our excellent work in the first 8 weeks, spared our hospitals. They can now continue to serve the sick. Other provinces have really flattened the curve and their restrictions are being loosened. Our province is bigger and more populated. Follow the rules and we will get there too.
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