By Cecila Nasmith
Restrictions in place – and public adherence to these measures – have sort of put a thumb over the nozzle of the COVID-19 garden hose, Dr. Ian Gemmill said at this week's Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit media scrum.
But you can't keep your thumb there forever, he cautioned. And when restrictions are eased, the nozzle will spout a vigorous stream of cases once again.
“We have to keep our thumb on the hose so we can keep people uninfected and get the vaccine into them,” he said.
The Medical Officer of Health offered this metaphor to explain a very welcome drop in numbers over the region in recent days – very welcome in light of the fact that there were more than 150 cases reported over the past two weeks, bringing the total to more than 825 since the beginning of the pandemic.
About half that increase is accounted for by six long-term-care homes, he added.
“There's no part of our area in which you can throw caution to the winds,” Dr. Gemmill said.
“This virus is everywhere, and it can have significant consequences.”
Serving a region with a fair number of recreational properties, the doctor acknowledged people may wish to spend their stay-at-home-order period there. If so, he urges them to do it carefully.
“Get your supplies before you go, drive in your car, stay in your car, go straight to your property,” he listed.
“When you get there, remember: the stay-at-home order applies just as much at a recreational property in Haliburton-Kawartha-Pine Ridge as it does to a residence in Toronto.”
For Dr. Gemmill, travelling and gatherings top the list of how the virus spreads. Travel should be limited to errands to procure such essentials as food and medications. And gatherings do not have to be a large crowd or organize event - “it can be as simple as an evening social or a pick-up game of some sport.”
No matter how innocent it may seem to get together with someone for a beer, he added, “never forget we are only two or three degrees of separation from someone who is vulnerable.”
Dr. Gemmill was delighted to have a vaccination roll-out to report on, starting with residents of long-term-care homes.
“It's the right thing to do, because these are the most vulnerable people,” he said.
Dr. Gemmill described the scene, as vaccinations began earlier this week.
“Not only were the people living in long-term-care homes happy to get the shots, our staff were just overjoyed to be in a position to offer this to people because they now it's going to be a game-changer.”
In addition to this week's 700 doses, they hope to get more next week, then expect a temporary interruption in supply.
“When we get more in a few weeks, we will move on to staff in these long-term-care homes, essential caregivers, then – with our hospital partners – they will get it to health-care workers because these are people who are putting themselves and their families at risk.”
Priority groups following after that will include other essential workers, older adults, other populations at risk (such as those who live in congregant settings) and then anyone else who would like a vaccination.
A vaccination plan has been submitted to the province, he said, as as broad outline. A number of partners are working with the health unit to fine-tune details such as venues and notifications.
Dr. Gemmill expressed his confidence in the safety of the vaccines as well as their efficacy, and his own thankfulness for the technology and gifted scientists who made it possible to develop them in months instead of years.
“Our commitment is, we are going to make this a priority until everyone who wants a vaccine as got it in the safest and fairest way possible.”
Asked about enforcement of scofflaws – like people who showed up at a recent Cobourg protest against lock-down measures – Dr. Gemmill explained that health units are given authority to enforce areas of public-health legislation like quarantine compliance, while police and bylaw-enforcement officers are in charge of compliance with lock-down orders and other requirements set out in declarations of emergency.
He understands the frustration these protesters feel, but the only thing that will get results – until vaccination gets into full swing - is compliance with the restrictions.
“My folks lived through World War II and, for six years, things were not normal. For us, it's only one and a half years,” he said.
“We have to pull together, or we will pull apart.
“I am sick of this. We all are. It's all about keeping that thumb on the hose. Those measures are not there to be mean. They are not there to be ridiculous. They are there for a good purpose.
“I really would like everybody to do that, and we can keep this under control. It's not going to be that long. It's not going to be five years as it was for the pandemic of 1918.”
While the health unit website offers constantly updated statistics on new cases, cumulative totals, active cases, high-risk contacts, deaths and hospitalizations, it was suggested they might consider adding a statistic – inoculations to date.
Dr. Gemmill loved the idea.
“We've spent the last year putting numbers up on things we didn't want to talk about. I would be more than happy to report on these very positive things.”
