‘Why is the Ontario government in such a rush?’: Residents cautious, unhappy as province lifts mask mandate
Monday, March 21 marks the first day of masks no longer being a requirement in most indoor settings in Ontario.
"It is now a choice not a mandate," Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario's chief medical officer of health, said at a press conference earlier this month. "Removing the mask mandate does not mean the risk is gone, COVID-19 transmission is still occurring across the province and masks can help protect you, and others, from becoming infected with COVID-19."
"You have to recognize, you can't mandate masking forever. It has to be, eventually, an individual choice based on an individual's risk assessment, and we're at that point, by March 21."
While masks are no longer required in school settings, based on the provincial government's changes, the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board has decided to move forward with an extension of the mandatory masking rules for students and staff for an additional two weeks, until April 1. This is being done to "mitigate spread of COVID after March Break and accommodate students seeking to transition to remote learning," a letter from the school board reads.
Health experts in Ontario continue to take to social media to comment on the removal of the mask mandate and sharing their personal recommendations for the public moving forward.
i just got asked about the “politicization” of choosing to wear a mask. let’s be sure — if you decide to keep wearing a mask tomorrow, it is not a political stance, it’s an act of care/love for those around you and keeping science/evidence in motion.
— Andrew Baback Boozary MD MPP (@drandrewb) March 20, 2022
Impaired driving kills ~1,500 Canadians yearly. Imagine if someone said: “Impaired driving is a personal choice. Drive sober if you want.”
COVID killed 13,885 Canadians in 2021 & 6,645 so far in 2022.
So...can someone explain the logic behind dropping mask mandates, right now?— Dr. Amit Arya (@AmitAryaMD) March 21, 2022
Tomorrow masks are optional in public schools.
Tonight I'm thinking of Thorncliffe Park, a community I serve, where ~14% of kids are fully vax'd.
Most kids won't get sick, but as W1-5 has shown, less privileged families living in multigen' homes, will again be more vulnerable. https://t.co/8YJp2XQ1Xa— Michael Warner (@drmwarner) March 21, 2022
Nova Scotia government to keep mask mandates in place in public schools until at least mid-April.
Why is the Ontario government in such a rush to mass infect children & staff in public schools?— Birgit Umaigba RN, MEd (@birgitomo) March 21, 2022
Big day in Ontario today.
Regardless which side of the fence you sit on, please be kind and compassionate, especially to the kids.— Kwadwo Kyeremanteng (@kwadwo777) March 21, 2022
Mask requirements end today in Ontario. I’ll still be wearing mine when entering shops because it’s a chill & easy way for me to make that space safer for others.
And I’d rather save my risk budget for moments when it’s more meaningful to not mask. pic.twitter.com/LmuLuyjaRB— 🔬Samantha Yammine, PhD (@heysciencesam) March 21, 2022
I'm worried about my colleagues right now. Doctors, nurses, residents, allied health staff, the ward clerks, everybody. There's nothing left in the tank and no clear strategy for how we're going to avoid crushing the same ppl into fine powder to get through the next Greek letter.
— Jillian Horton (@JillianHortonMD) March 21, 2022
Other Ontarians have also taken to social media to share their thoughts on the removal of the mask mandate and sharing what they are seeing on the first day of that change.
What to say when someone obnoxious asks:
WHY ARE YOU WEARING A MASK?— Jean Yoon (윤 진 희 or 尹真姬) (@jean_yoon) March 20, 2022
I have bad breath.
Why are you wearing underwear?
I had Covid last week... But if YOU think it's okay?
Allergies. (Then sneeze loudly).
Are you a doctor? My brother is a doctor. I will take his advice over yours, thanks.
It matches my outfit.
Covid is airborne.
Because I care♥️— Jean Yoon (윤 진 희 or 尹真姬) (@jean_yoon) March 20, 2022
Just came out of a store with about 10 people in it. Only two of us were masked. I'll be honest, finding the peace, love and good vibrations needed to gently accept people's "choice" not to mask will take some work on my part. Digging deep over here.
— Lucy van Oldenbarnev (@LucyvanOlden) March 21, 2022
We're placating people who want to come to school and stores without a mask "like normal," but are completely ignoring the feelings and real fears of the people who are now wary of entering these building because they don't want to get a brain-invasive virus. Make it make sense.
— Marie Snyder (@MarieSnyder27) March 20, 2022
Many comments online have also highlighted that many children, returning from March Break, are wearing masks as they return to school.
About 90% of kids lining up at my kids’ school are masking. Yours?
— Tai Huynh (@taimhuynh) March 21, 2022
Proud of my kiddo today for choosing to continue to wear his mask inside today. He said simply, why wouldn't I keep myself & others safe. pic.twitter.com/588TZAjmY8
— Chi Nguyen (@RunChiNguyenRun) March 21, 2022
Dropped my daughter off at school. It was the same sea of masked student faces that I’m accustomed to seeing. I think today will be ok. The kids are alright. The adults not so much.
— Kevin's 10,000 hours (@KevinAndrewTO) March 21, 2022