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My mom works in a small grocery store in my hometown on Lake Huron. When the pandemic began, I was terrified. A broken ankle took her out of work in late March until very recently. I was feeling okay about her going back when Ontario's numbers were better. But now... 1/11
Each time we talk she tells me about more customers coming in refusing to wear masks. 'Why should I bother? It's not really here, and I see people not wearing them all over the place.' Her friends and out-of-towners gathering in groups without #PhysicalDistancing or masks. 2/11
Each time I talk about #COVID19 on FB, friends who are still in the area insist the crisis is over and there's no need to worry. For them, 'we need to learn to live with this virus,' means, 'we have to get back to normal and it is what it is'. 3/11
They're gathering as usual. They're planning fall activities as usual. 'COVID's not really here,' while seasonal tourists continue to fill parks and cottages and restaurants and businesses every weekend from all over the province. 4/11
I see friends from all over posting pictures of cottage weekends and wine tours with people I know are not in their social circles, taking a 'fun' picture with a mask, and then the real pictures with hugs and close contact, captions about how good it is to back to normal. 5/11
Some of these visits include people from highly-impacted regions visiting areas with little to no activity, and have continued after kids have returned to school. 6/11
Every day we're told that 99% of people are being responsible and it's 'a bunch of yahoos' screwing it up for everyone. I think it's a problem we're not talking about how great the complacency has become. People think it's over. 7/11
And at the same time, our rates are rising, colder weather will bring activities indoors, school is back, and flu season is beginning. We've outstretched our ability to test people who need tests and response from the government lacks meaningful action to turn this around. 8/11
Govt messaging suggesting that restrictions to limit spread are a 'punishment' make people resent the actions that need to be taken to save people's lives. Suggesting most people are following advice belies the reality. A lot of people aren't, and that's a huge problem. 9/11
@BogochIsaac has suggested it's time to call in communications specialists and I think, as far as Ontario as concerned, this is worth considering. What I'm seeing from the people in my own circles tells me there's confusion about what's being asked of them. Clarity is vital.10/11
I've already lost a parent, and I've already lost a child to infectious disease. 2836 Ontarians have died from #COVID19 this year, and it's up to us now to prevent that number from getting bigger. I don't know what we're waiting for, and I'm worried about my mom. 11/11
