Region boosts efforts to promote mask wearing

Campaigns being launched on social media, public transit to make wearing a mask the ‘new normal’

WATERLOO REGION — Waterloo Region is ramping up its efforts to encourage everyone to wear masks when possible, but still hesitating to make them mandatory.

“There has been much comment on the subject of masks over the past week and this is a good thing because it shows that we continue to be deeply invested in keeping our community safe,” said acting associate medical officer of health Dr. Julie Emili at Friday’s briefing.

“As we know, there are many different ways to keep our community safe.”

Those measures include physical distancing, regular handwashing and not touching your face, staying at home and isolating from others if experiencing symptoms and getting tested when sick.

“Wearing masks plays a key role in keeping our community safe. Public health strongly recommends masks in all indoor settings and on transit,” she said.

The region launched public awareness campaigns for the general community and specifically on public transit to encourage people to wear masks, and they’re consulting with business owners about how to increase use of masks in situations where it’s tough to maintain physical distancing.

“This is a complex subject and there is no simple answer. As always, we truly appreciate the comments and feedback that we have received this past week. We understand your concerns and will continue to evaluate the situation in our region,” Emili said.

“We continue to have collective responsibility to do what we can to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in Waterloo Region. We will share this responsibility for some time to come.”

Regional Chair Karen Redman encouraged people to join the #facemaskfriday campaign, a social media campaign started by public health to normalize mask wearing as the everyday new reality.

People are encouraged to take a photo of themselves out in the community wearing a mask and post the photo on Twitter with the hashtag, and tag public health.

There’s also a Grand River Transit campaign encouraging all riders to wear a mask.

“Let’s protect each other by wearing a mask where possible,” Redman said.

Local COVID-19 cases are up to 1,228 and the total number of deaths remains at 115, according to Friday’s public health update. Only one COVID case has been linked to the large rally in downtown Kitchener two weeks ago, and Emili said anyone who would have picked up the virus during the event would have likely shown symptoms by now.

Widespread use of masks was key to reducing the spread among the large gathering, she said.

“They respected the advice we provided and as a collective group decreased the risk of transmission amongst them, so I think it was a key contributor to the fact that we’re not seeing cases.”

Chief administrative officer Mike Murray said throughout the pandemic the region has been following the guidance of federal and provincial experts and the message is across the board that masks are strongly recommended.

“We continue to follow that federal and provincial guidance,” said Murray, adding that the region will also continue to monitor the evolving advice.

The officials are confident residents will do the right thing and wear masks without a mandatory order.

“One of the reasons why Waterloo Region was able to go to Phase 2 is the fact there has been so much community uptake and compliance,” Redman said.

Enforcement

That approach follows the region’s focus first on education and then moving to compliance, rather than being heavyhanded with handing out tickets, she said.

One new charge was laid in the past week for not following emergency orders, in Kitchener for using recreational amenities on school property. That brings the total number of charges in the region to 21.

There were also 206 site visits requiring a warning or education and 245 where no action was needed.

Murray said monitoring and enforcement will continue in the region.

“In some cases, it’s actually even more important as things open up.”

Outbreaks

The one workplace outbreak in a retail setting has been declared over. Outbreaks are declared at three long-term-care and retirement homes — up from one the previous day.

Emili said that was not unexpected because more screening is being done again in these homes, and the virus is still circulating in the community.

But she said a lot has been learned from outbreaks at the start of the pandemic.

“Our outbreaks tend to be less and they tend to end quicker and I think it’s because the long-term-care homes now have a good understanding of what they have to put in place to keep residents safe,” Emili said.

Ion birthday

Redman wished Ion a happy first anniversary on Sunday. The light rail service was launched on June 21, 2019.

As the region continues to reopen and people return to transit, Redman said “Ion will be there for them and this service will continue to support and shape our region for decades to come.”