Niagara leaders draft plan to deal with second wave
In a show of solidarity, Niagara’s municipal leaders released a plan to help the region get through the pandemic’s second wave.
On Friday, the 12 mayors and regional chair met virtually to discuss the community’s pressing challenges as COVID-19 case numbers continue to rise.
In the letter, they acknowledged the alarming increase of pandemic-related deaths in more than 50 per cent of Niagara’s long-term-care homes which continue to see outbreaks.
They agreed that this is a critical point for Niagara in its effort to stem the spread of the virus and its impact.
Firstly, they will explore the sharing of resources to strengthen their response where needed and appropriate.
They further agreed to call on the province to ensure frontline health-care workers and residents in Niagara have equal access to vaccines compared to other parts of Ontario.
Realizing paramedics’ critical work, the Region will push for them to be added to the priority list of health-care workers across the province who will receive vaccines.
Niagara is also asking for the province to be more transparent in its plans to distribute the vaccines. Niagara’s municipalities affirmed their commitment to sharing information in a timely and accurate way.
Lastly, the mayors and chair requested the community show patience as vaccines arrive in Niagara. Both the federal and provincial government have ensured there will be a vaccine for everyone, but it may take some time.
They closed the letter, which was also sent to the premier, minister of health and longterm care and solicitor general, by thanking front-line workers for more than 10 months of work and acknowledging the challenges faced by residents and local businesses.