Newmarket parents, government officials, and frontline health-care workers alike acknowledge that to help slow down the spread of the global coronavirus pandemic, social spaces such as schools, daycares, sporting events, and even outdoor fundraisers should be temporarily shut down.
In an unprecedented move March 12, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Education Minister Stephen Lecce ordered closed all publicly funded schools in the province, including public and Catholic, for two weeks after the March break, March 23 to April 5. The March break holiday runs the week of March 16.
Newmarket mom of four and parent advocate Shameela Shakeel said we’re living in “topsy-turvy times”.
Shakeel agrees with the school closures, and believes that through social distancing, a practice that finds people limiting close contact with others by working or studying from home, for example, the spread of the disease will be slowed and the local health-care system won’t be overwhelmed.
“We need compassion and bold moves at a time like this,” said Shakeel, adding that the long break from school will no doubt be difficult for many families. “But it is important for all of us to try to get ahead of COVID-19.”
The longtime Newmarket resident echoes the call of a coalition of health professionals, represented by the Decent Work and Health Network, for the provincial government to guarantee at least seven paid sick days for all workers who may need to stay home to self-isolate if they are sick or awaiting test results, among other measures.
“I hope the provincial government provides subsidies for parents and guardians who have a loss of income because they need to stay at home with their children for an extra two weeks,” Shakeel said. “And I also hope the provincial government acknowledges that teachers and students will have to work extra hard to complete all of the curriculum requirements this school year.”
The closure is also in place for daycares and before- and after-school programs. In addition, transportation services, continuing education, and permit activities at local schools are also closed.
All local schools, child care, and related educational services are expected to reopen on Monday, April 6.
Reaction to the two-week lockdown of schools continues to reverberate in the community.
The York Region District School Board’s March 12 school closure announced on social media has generated more than 200 comments, to date.
Some parents, such as Dennis Miropolsky, wondered if the closure would affect the school year and could mean that students have to attend summer school.
Other parents and students themselves weighed in on social media asking about the mid-term tests and its impact on university or college acceptances, and if prom and Grade 12 graduation would be cancelled.
“Lovely!! People are going to lose their jobs because they can’t afford daycare so they won’t be able to work,” Heather Johnston said on Twitter. “Grade 12 students’ post-secondary is now compromised. Wash your hands, people!! If you feel sick stay home! If you have a compromised immune system, stay home! Craziness.”
Residents also voiced their support for school closures on a new Facebook group created this week to help inform, educate and share information about coronavirus, named COVID-19 York and Simcoe Region Ontario.
“If we take brave preemptive measures today, we won't have a situation like Italy. It will slow the spread and ease the burden on healthcare,” wrote Newmarket resident Ron Clifford.
York Region’s public health unit has confirmed its ninth positive COVID-19 case involving a Vaughan woman in her 20s who contracted the illness during travel. She is at home in self-isolation, according to public health.
The region’s medical officer of health, Dr. Karim Kurji, said there is no evidence of community spread here and the risk remains low for residents.
The local public health unit’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage is updated twice daily at 10:45 a.m. and 5:45 p.m.
COVID-19 has infected more than 132,000 people in 123 countries and resulted in just under 5,000 deaths yesterday, according to the World Health Organization, which is tracking the viral outbreak around the world.
