‘Politics are at the ROOT of Emily Viegas’ death’: Ontario government slammed for ‘cold-hearted’ response to Brampton teen’s COVID-19 tragedy
Following the confirmation that 13-year-old Emily Victoria Viegas from Brampton, Ont., the daughter of an essential worker, died from COVID-19, a GoFundMe page was created and now totals more than $90,000 in donations to support her family. The donations come after a flurry of support for the family amid Ontario's dark COVID-19 saga, but act as no replacement for a young life lost.
"With a heavy heart I regret to announce the passing of Emily Victoria Viegas the 13-year-old daughter of our good friend Carlos Viegas," the post on the page reads.
"She passed away from COVID on April 22, 2021. If you have the means please donate whatever you can to help with her funeral and burial costs. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers at this difficult and unfortunate time."
When the news of Viegas' death first started spreading on Sunday evening, many people, including medical professionals, expressed their condolences and upset.
we lost a 13-year old girl in a 2-bedroom home of essential workers that still don’t have paid sick leave or the vaccine we can’t have more tears from policymakers we need action now the heartbreak is swallowing us whole.
— Andrew Baback Boozary, MD (@drandrewb) April 26, 2021
DM from a dear friend, who is an ER Nurse:
"Emily Victoria Viegas died on my shift. She died last week. We are all shattered by her death. I can't stop thinking of her as I look at my 11 year old daughter 💔😢".— Birgit Umaigba RN, BScN, MEd, CCRN 🇳🇬 🇨🇦 (@birgitomo) April 26, 2021
"The death of a child is...not just an individual tragedy, but yet another symbol of our collective failure."
—@picardonhealth#Ontario can avert further tragedy and failure by giving more #COVID19 vaccines to hotspots and by implementing #PaidSickLeave.https://t.co/5uTmQTkodJ— Nathan Stall (@NathanStall) April 26, 2021
The tragic #COVID19 death of 13 year old Emily Viegas is on every politician who didn’t support evidence-based science, #PaidSickDays & access to vaccines in hotspots.
— Naheed Dosani (@NaheedD) April 26, 2021
The death of Emily Victoria Viegas, the 13 year old daughter of a Brampton warehouse worker, happened because the Ontario government didn't implement #PaidSickDays and didn't provide vaccines to those most in need.
A tragic consequence of prioritizing politics over science.— Amit Arya (@AmitAryaMD) April 26, 2021
"Don't politicize a child's death!"
A 13 yr old died because @fordnation failed to enact the evidence-based policies recommended by his own Science Advisory table. He was worried his political base would abandon him.
Politics are at the ROOT of Emily Victoria Viegas's death.— Michelle Cohen, MD (@DocMCohen) April 26, 2021
On Monday, after taking a moment of silence for Viegas, Doug Ford's Conservative government voted against Liberal MPP Michael Coteau's bill, which would allow essential workers to have 10 paid sick days.
"The government’s failure to provide paid sick leave is unconscionable," a statement from Coteau reads. "Their continued votes against Opposition bills to establish paid sick leave, including my own again today, is simply reprehensible."
"Make no mistake: their votes are not against an Opposition MPP’s bill, but rather against the 83 per cent of Ontarians who support paid sick leave."
People in Ontario, following his government's actions on paid sick leave and Viegas' tragic death, continue to criticize the Ford government.
Emily's father worked in a warehouse with no paid sick days. Emily died because Doug Ford works for the warehouse owner, and not the vulnerable people who work there. Enraging. #onpoli @fordnation https://t.co/NLOyjI6RuN
— Ian MacIntyre (@MrIanMacIntyre) April 26, 2021
Here is the list of the 55 Conservative MPPs who voted against giving Ontarians #PaidSickDays today. I am deeply disappointed #Nepean’s MPP @MacLeodLisa voted against this. We desperately need #PaidSickLeave to help get this pandemic under control. #WeCanDoBetter #onpoli pic.twitter.com/k6Q3848GRi
— Tyler Watt 🇨🇦 (@tylerwatt90) April 26, 2021
Excuse my language today, tweeps. 🤬
I am sickened by this garbage govt, & disgusted at what they’re doing to our province. We deserve so much better in this collective trauma.#FordMustResign #FordfailedOntario #FordFailedEmily #FordLiedPeopleDied #ResignFord #PaidSickDaysNow pic.twitter.com/5stPBzSnJ7— RandomSecretary (@RandomSecretary) April 26, 2021
This morning, those of us in Ontario are learning of Emily's death.
This afternoon, those of us living in PC ridings should all be calling our local MPP's office demanding #PaidSickDays.
The tears of their corrupt leader are meaningless. Action. Now.https://t.co/V0fOPD3xFt— Zack Teitel (@ZackTeitel) April 26, 2021
This is my last tweet on Twitter.
The death of Emily Victoria Viegas is the absolute tipping point for #DougFord in regards to his refusal to listen to medical experts, hospital officials & frontline health professionals.
He’s done now as Premier, there’s no excuse to escape.— Dale E. Thompson (@daleethompson) April 26, 2021
Ontario Minister of Health Christine Elliott comes under fire for 'however' response
Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Christine Elliott, was also criticized on Monday for her response to Viegas' death.
"Emily's death is truly a tragedy," Elliott said during question period. "She was a young woman who was just starting out in her life and it is a tragic situation that she passed away."
"However, we all need to remember that we are working as hard as we can to bring vaccinations to as many people as possible."
The 'HOWEVER' heard around the world. #Heartless#ResignChristineElliott #resignElliott#ResignDougFord pic.twitter.com/D0STQj55VT
— My Masked Gay Nerves (@CornerView1) April 26, 2021
This is a really cold-hearted response from the Health Minister. Defending their government’s handling of this pandemic could have waited. @celliottability #onpoli https://t.co/qMpjYIVTg3
— Tyler Watt 🇨🇦 (@tylerwatt90) April 26, 2021
I've fixed your statement, @celliottability. #onpoli pic.twitter.com/bjf7UMhpuJ
— Alheli Picazo (@a_picazo) April 26, 2021
“however”- @celliottability had the nerve to turn this into a press opportunity to remind us of all they are doing -which is nothing except flailing. We are living in an absolute nightmare #FordFailedEmily #ResignFord #ResignElliott #FordfailedOntario #FordLiedPeopleDied https://t.co/9PrHnyvNzc
— Catharine (@dukieandmaggie) April 26, 2021
This is the response from the Minister of Health, about a 13 year old girl who died at home from COVID while her mom was in the ICU and her brother and dad found her. She 'however'ed her death.
She must resign. Everyone reading this must push for her resignation. #ResignElliott https://t.co/iBPGXU1M2t— Ryan McDonnell (@RyanPMcDonnell) April 26, 2021
