On testing, Ford’s best may not be good enough

Ontario Premier Doug Ford and his government have for the most part received good marks for their leadership and performance to date in this pandemic. But there are exceptions.

This week the government’s management of the crisis has been criticized, not once, but twice. In one case the criticism seems extreme. In the other, the criticism and concern are entirely legitimate. Let’s deal with that one first.

By far, the prevailing opinion in public health is that more COVID-19 testing is better than less. Epidemiologists and political leaders agree that we can’t begin to seriously loosen restrictions and reopen the economy until we have done an adequate amount of testing to determine the extent of COVID-19’s spread, both in the community at large and also in hot spot settings like long-term care facilities.

Without adequate testing, we can’t ensure workplaces are safe. Nor schools. We can’t be sure our coworkers don’t carry the virus even if they don’t know they have it. We cannot be sure that classrooms are safe for students, teachers and staff. We can’t begin to get back to life as usual. And yet, Ontario continues to lag on testing.

On Sunday, the province conducted 12,550 tests. This in a province of nearly 15 million, with a workforce of more than 7 million. According to the Ontario NDP, as of April 17 only 136,992 tests had been conducted overall across Ontario. By April 29 that number had increased to 264,594. However on that same April 29 just 11,554 tests were conducted compared to a target of 18,900. According to research released by the NDP, Ontario is short of its testing target by a total of 101,853 to date.

This is disturbing on many fronts.

One of them is that just two weeks ago Ford went ballistic over the lack of testing and directed his health officials to ensure a dramatic increase. That hasn’t happened, and it’s not entirely clear why. Are senior public health officials thumbing their noses at Ford’s direction because they don’t agree with it? If so, how are Ontarians supposed to trust a pandemic recovery leadership that appears itself to be divided?

The other area where Ford is taking serious heat this week is his so-called “Framework for Reopening Our Province.” Ford referred to it as a “road map” but critics have pounced on the vagueness of the framework.

There are no details, no dates, no sign posts on the road map and little measurement or metrics.

Ford and his officials defend the road map, arguing it’s too soon to commit to dates or specifics like what sort of businesses might be able to reopen first. That might be easier to swallow if neighbouring jurisdictions, including neighbouring provinces on both sides, weren’t much further along the reopening road, at least in terms of dates and details. Quebec, for example, will open schools next month.

Meanwhile in Manitoba, Premier Brian Pallister has announced a multi-phase plan that will see some businesses and recreation opportunities reopen as early as May 4. Non-essential retail and health care businesses will be among them, although they will reopen under strict guidelines concerning physical distancing and cleaning practices.

Ford is doggedly airing on the side of caution. What will happen, he asked, if Quebec experienced a resurgence or spike in COVID-19 when schools are back in session? Ford’s caution is understandable and supportable.

But what’s missing from his position and road map is widespread testing. We still don’t have it and it’s not clear when or if that will happen.

There is no doubt Ford is doing his best, but on testing at least, his best may not be good enough.