We urge the Ontario government to continue the masking mandate to safeguard all its residents from a highly contagious virus, but in particular to protect the vulnerable. Masking will have the additional benefits of lower hospitalizations which will mean lower taxes, and a shorter wait for those waiting for surgeries delayed due to the pandemic.

Masks will no longer be required in schools, on school buses, and in most indoor spaces on March 21st. 

Probably a lot of people haven't yet made a distinction between COVID restrictions and masking. But they are very different. Masking is about doing a little thing, on par with putting on a jacket when you leave the house, that doesn't restrict the wearer from going anywhere or doing anything, but that helps protect the vulnerable.

It is very sad that some people think that the lives of vulnerable people whether it is a pregnant woman, a child with cancer, a teen with asthma, an active 70-year-old grandparent, or a 30-year-old diabetic mother of 3 are expendable.

Long Covid has altered people's lives. It is not just limited to the vulnerable or even to people who experience severe symptoms. Doctors have found that even patients with mild or no symptoms, can get Long Covid. Ontario teens are getting it!

Severe illness also has consequences beyond suffering and possible death. Many people don't have paid sick leave so illness results in a financial setback. Students can lose their school year.

The Toronto Star reported that “surgical shutdowns during the pandemic – needed to free up resources for COVID-19 patients – have created system-wide disruptions and a backlog of surgeries that will take years to clear.” Thousands of patients are waiting for joint replacements, cataract surgeries, and even cancer surgeries.

A higher number of cases, and therefore, hospitalizations is also costly to the province’s taxpayers.

Removing the masking mandate is inconsistent with the long list of laws designed to protect Ontario’s residents from death and injury. And it is inconsistent with Canadian values.

Not mandating masks in public settings demonstrates that the Progressive Conservative government values removing an inconsequential annoyance over people’s lives.

clipart by: <a href="https://www.vecteezy.com/free-vector/face-mask-covid">Face Mask Covid Vectors by Vecteezy</a>