By
Neil Armstrong
 |
| Photo contributed Gareth Henry, Executive Director, Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention (Black CAP) |
In the wake of the World
Health Organization (WHO) declaring COVID-19 a pandemic, several organizations
in Toronto have been putting plans in place to curb the spread of the
coronavirus disease, or have cancelled their events.
These include the Black
Coalition for AIDS Prevention (Black CAP), Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA),
York University, Ontario Alliance of Black School Educators,
and organizers of the 2020 UWI Toronto Benefit
Gala, initially scheduled for April 4 at the Ritz Carlton hotel.
In an email to the
community, Black CAP’s executive director, Gareth Henry, said Toronto Public
Health is actively working with city and health partners to plan for the potential
of local spread.
“Our support and health promotion
teams provide individual support and group programming to a large number of
people each week. In order to mitigate any potential risk to staff,
volunteers and community members, we request that you call or email
for an appointment, before coming to the office,” writes Henry.
He said effective immediately, Black CAP is suspending all
groups until further notice.
“We have a preparedness
plan in place that includes Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)
measures, as hygiene and cleanliness are of paramount importance at Black CAP
and we are taking additional measures to ensure the safety of everyone working,
visiting, participating in programs, or volunteering at our organization.
“We are frequently
cleaning/disinfecting our space:
- Disinfecting all table and counter surfaces, chairs, door handles.
- Disinfecting our staff offices and sanitizing our hands after every appointment
- Washing our hands regularly for 20 seconds, not touching our faces, sneezing into our sleeves, throwing away used tissues right away and washing our hands right after.
“If you have any of the
following symptoms please do not come to the office. Call and a staff
member will advise of any assistance we can give remotely:
- Fever (>100.4°F/38°C) or feverishness (having a fever, chills, body aches)
- Respiratory symptoms
- Cough
- Shortness of breath/breathing difficulties
- Sneezing / Sinus pressure / Cold symptoms”
Black CAP is advising anyone who has questions about COVID-19
to check with Toronto Public Health for regular information: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/health-wellness-care/diseases-medications-vaccines/coronavirus/
Henry said further
preventive measures have been introduced minimize the spread of COVID-19.
“We are closely monitoring
the health situation and will continue to provide updates.” He said.
Meanwhile, the Jamaican Canadian Association
says it has been monitoring the spread of the novel coronavirus and its effects.
“Your safety and wellbeing are of the highest
priority and as such we have moved to implement a response plan.”
The JCA has issued the following message.
In the meantime, York University has sent an
email to its alumni community outlining its response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
“These decisions were not taken lightly and, we
believe, are in the best interest of our campus community as well as residents
of the GTA and beyond,” says Rhonda L. Lenton, president and vice-chancellor.
“Notably, we will be cancelling or postponing
all alumni events until April 30, 2020. We remain grateful to the York alumni community
and are continuing with longer-term planning that will bring you engaging
events and programs. In the interim we are also exploring opportunities for
online engagement such as live-streamed lectures, webinars and online book
clubs. Take care of yourselves and each other.”
The Ontario Alliance of Black School Educators
(ONABSE) has postponed its annual conference in Toronto, scheduled for April 17
and 18, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This decision was reached through an
unanimous resolution by ONABSE Board members on March 12, 2020. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this infectious
disease,” says Warren Salmon, president of the organization.
He noted that for over a year, ONABSE
has been organizing a physical convening in Toronto.
“As an
organization, we value our face-to-face meetings—the formal and informal
opportunities to share and discuss our work and the special moments when
we discover in the most unexpected ways new possibilities to work together,
network, and the opportunities to value and applaud our colleagues for their
commitment and accomplishments in building and creating communities to improve
the educational outcomes for Black students, families, educators, and
administrators.”
Salmon says the presence and spread of
the coronavirus internationally make it impossible to hold a
conference that could potentially expose attendees to a communicable disease.
“It is important that we adhere to the
realities and the facts involved, including heeding precautions limiting travel
and remaining within one’s community, except under the most urgent and
extraordinary of circumstances.
“We have been closely monitoring the
situation for the past few days and while this decision was not taken lightly,
we believe this is in the best interests of those attending and the general
public. We take the health and safety of our guests and participants very
seriously and want to ensure the well-being of the community.
“We will keep you updated with details
of a new date as soon as possible, as we are currently exploring the
possibility of hosting a virtual conference or rescheduling the face-to-face conference,”
he said.
Given the ongoing situation with COVID-19, the UWI Toronto Benefit Gala Committee team has
decided to postpone this year’s event until further notice.
“While Canada and specifically Toronto remains at
relatively low risk, the University of the West Indies and Toronto Gala
Committee is proceeding with an abundance of caution focused solely on
supporting health authorities, and has made this decision based on dialogue
with gala medical advisor Dr. Upton Allen, Head of Infectious Diseases, and
Co-chair of the SickKids-Caribbean Initiative at The Hospital for Sick Children
(SickKids),” said an email from Lauren Ng of BlueSky Communications, a public
relations company in Toronto.
“Postponing the gala is the appropriate action to take at
this time, as we all strive to create social distancing; simply put, keeping
people apart. This is important for the safety of attendees, their families and
individuals with whom they interact in their daily lives,” according to Dr.
Upton Allen.
Ng said their intention is to come together later this
year “to celebrate the honourees and continue to support the many
well-deserving students across the Caribbean who are in great need of our
help.”
Meanwhile, the City of Mississauga says
with guidance from Peel Public Health and in an abundance of caution for both
its residents and staff around the COVID-19 pandemic, it is making the
following changes in City operations at this time.
The City of Mississauga will be closing
all recreation, library, and cultural facilities starting Saturday, March 14
through to April 5 to the public. This includes the Living Arts Centre,
Meadowvale Theatre, Paramount Fine Foods Centre and the Mississauga Seniors'
Centre. Programming at these facilities will be cancelled.
City Hall and the Provincial
Offences Court remain open and MiWay continues to provide regular service.
All City programs and activities
will be cancelled from March 14 to April 5. This includes March break
programs and activities.
The City will be offering full refunds
without any administration charge and is asking residents to be patient as it
works through the process.
It noted that the majority of
Mississauga sports teams/leagues have suspended all activities.
According to Peel Public Health, the
best way to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses such as COVID-19 is to:
* Stay home if you are
sick.
* Avoid close contact
with people who are sick.
* Cover coughs and
sneezes with your sleeve.
* Wash your hands with
soap and water or with alcohol-based hand rub.
* Avoid touching your
eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
* Clean frequently
touched objects and surfaces.
No comments:
Post a Comment