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'Hitting close to home,' Midland CAO urges residents to keep vigilant against COVID-19

'Technically, you’re not even supposed to gather in large groups,” councillor tells anti-lockdown group. 'But if you are going to do that, then at least for heaven’s sake, wear a mask and stay six feet apart'
2021-02-16 vaccine
Midland CAO urges residents to check the health unit site regularly to see if they're eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine./Canadian Press photo

With weekly anti-lockdown protests now occurring at the town dock, Midland CAO David Denault provided a sombre update on how COVID-19 is affecting North Simcoe during Wednesday's council meeting.

“In Midland, Penetang, Tay, and Tiny, there have been about 600 cases across the four areas," Denault said. "All of us (the four municipalities) are over a hundred cases year-to-date. Midland’s approaching 200 cases, we’re at about 191. Across those four municipalities, there are two people currently hospitalized. Again, it is hitting close to home."

Denault said residents should regularly visit the local health unit website to ensure they're getting updated information on receiving their vaccination shots.

"There’s a long list of eligibility on vaccination which is changing,” said Denault. “I could read it off but it’s almost three pages of eligibility. Go to the website, check to see if you’re eligible. And certainly if you want to make that decision to get vaccinated, you can go through the process and hopefully use one of our facilities.”

Concerns were brought up regarding citizens protesting the provincial lockdown over the past few weekends dockside.

“They’re small, not well attended,” explained Gordon, “not like what we see in Barrie and other big centres, but the sentiment is the same.”

He went on to defend the civil rights of all citizens to engage in protest, but also announced he could not support protesters defying provincial law.

“Technically, you’re not even supposed to gather in large groups,” Gordon chided. “That’s breaching an order as well. But if you are going to do that, then at least for heaven’s sake, wear a mask and stay six feet apart.

Gordon spoke further, talking about coronavirus deniers and relating them to flat-earth believers and other people who reject reality.

“For those people who say they’re not going to vote for me again because this is my stance, well, I don’t care,” Gordon proclaimed. “Because this is my stance, and I don’t sell up my soul for a few votes.

"So do what you want, but don’t gather without a mask, without social physical distancing (in public), and don’t try to argue that people in our community that are living through this hell… that this is fake. And that it’s a ‘plandemic’, and that we should just open up everything and pretend it’s not happening. And please get a vaccine. Thank you, there, end of my rant.”

Mayor Stewart Strathearn praised citizens in the area for their efforts during the pandemic.

“The residents of North Simcoe have shown discipline, that they can wear a mask, wash their hands, and keep the numbers down. And for that, I’m personally thankful. I feel much safer being in North Simcoe than going down to get surgery on my eye in Vaughan,” said Strathearn. 

The council meeting also recognized May 5 as Red Dress Day, also known as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), for which Coun. Main and McGinn wore red in recognition and support.


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Derek Howard, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

About the Author: Derek Howard, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Derek Howard covers Midland and Penetanguishene area civic issues under the Local Journalism Initiative, which is funded by the Government of Canada.
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