Living with COVID is not Trumpian

Re: What does `learning to live with COVID-19' actually mean for Ottawa? Nov. 12.

As the chair of the Ottawa Board of Health, I felt it necessary to respond to Mohammed Adam's column. The message of Ottawa Public Health is not, and has never been, that we as a city should let our guard down while COVID-19 remains a threat, and it most certainly and unfortunately is still a threat. The “living with COVID-19” message is not about cutting loose or throwing caution to the wind. It is most certainly not “Trumpian” in nature, as Adam suggests.

Living with COVID-19 means to live responsibly and compassionately. It means to assess your risks and make informed decisions. It is about how to carry on with your life as safely as possible, always keeping in mind that

COVID-19 is still out there.

It is about being aware of your neighbours, friends and family, their needs and concerns, and acting accordingly. It is about tapping into the caring and compassionate city that we know Ottawa is.

It is about continuing to be physically distant, wearing a mask when that is not possible, washing your hands and staying home if you are not feeling well. Most important, it is about understanding and acknowledging that your actions have consequences and that we all have a role to play in stemming the rise of this virus in our community.

Keith Egli, city councillor for Ward 9, Knoxdale-Merivale, chair of the Ottawa

Board of Health