Masks not mandatory for now in city, county
No new Peterborough COVID-19 cases for an 18th straight day
Masks aren’t mandatory in Peterborough during the COVID-19 pandemic, says the medical officer of health, although Dr. Rosana Salvaterra says that could still change.
Masks will be a requirement in public places in the City of Kawartha Lakes starting Monday — not the case here.
“We are taking the educational approach here in Peterborough,” said Salvaterra at a virtual news conference on Wednesday.
It’s been 18 days since a new case of COVID-19 has emerged in the Peterborough area and on Wednesday Salvaterra said that’s a good sign.
She said it gives her and other local leaders time to think carefully about whether or not masking ought to become mandatory.
There’s a lot to consider, she said: for example, should the onus be on business owners to ask customers to don a mask, or should it be up to citizens to follow a mandatory masking rule?
“There are challenges, with making it a requirement ... I want to make sure we do it in a way to avoid the pitfalls,” she said.
Mayor Diane Therrien was also at the virtual news conference Wednesday and she mentioned other potential challenges that come with mandatory masking.
“If we were to make masks mandatory on transit — if someone doesn’t have one, are they denied transit?” she asked. “There are some logistical questions we’re talking about.”
Even if you make masks mandatory, Salvaterra said, “you won’t get 100 per cent compliance.”
Some people cannot wear a mask — people with breathing difficulties, for example — and Salvaterra cautioned that people shouldn’t be judged for going barefaced in public.
“We have to be very careful not to stigmatize people who don’t wear a mask,” she said. “We have to go into this (the idea of mandatory masks) with eyes wide open.”
Peterborough Public Health reported Wednesday afternoon that cumulative confirmed cases held steady at 95, with 93 of them already resolved along with two earlier deaths.
There has not been a new case since June 20.
As of Wednesday, more than 18,350 people have now been tested for COVID-19.
“Our epicure has flattened — it has been flat now for the last 17 days,” Salvaterra said.
Gradual reopenings have occurred in the city lately, including the reopening of municipal splash pads — welcome relief for many people, in the heat wave.
But Therrien reminded citizens Wednesday that play structures are still closed because they are considered hightouch areas.
“We’re urging people not to use those,” she said. “We’re definitely being cautious in our approach.”