As cases continue to climb in Ottawa there was an irresponsible information back hole during much of the weekend about testing centres. Province said walk in centres would be closed but Brewer remained open. No one would answer questions about why. 1 https://twitter.com/kimberleymolina/status/1313067929299230726
Throughout the weeken @OttawaCitizen, @CBCOttawa and other media tried to get info. Finally, details came late Sunday night. Meanwhile, some doctors took to Twitter to tell people Brewer was open. /
Others said there was a general fear that closing the busiest testing centre in Eastern Ontario - as the province ordered - would be a disaster for the city’s emergency departments which are already overwhelmed and struggling 3/
Meanwhile, it is not at all clear when the testing centres will open with online appointment based systems. Hospitals and testing officials are saying “ as soon as possible”. But it can take time. The province says they should open Tuesday.
Poor communication between the province and regions and lack of communication with the public ( and media) on this issue could make things worse at a time when the warnings about the impact of the second wave are already dire.
Pardon the typos