By Pepper Parr
July 17, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Several community groups worked together to produce 3000 masks that are being distributed in the community.
When the story of how Burlington coped with the first pandemic in 100 years is written the Great Mask Debate will have a chapter of its own. Covid19 is now well embedded in the lexicon of the world.
One of the features of the Burlington approach to keeping the spread of infections down was to set $10,000 aside to pay for masks that would be distributed to people who were not in a position to buy masks.
The by law that requires people to wear “when inside an enclosed Public Place “comes into effect on Monday July 20th, 2020.
Connie Price and Lynda Hall pitting masks in envelopes where they are quarantined for 72 hours – then distributed.
The Region has a similar bylaw that comes into effect on July 22nd.
To the best of our knowledge the city does not yet have a supply of masks nor does there appear to be a policy in place as to who will distribute those masks – when they are available.
The Gazette along with a number of community groups produced the parts that went into the sewing of 3000 masks.
UPDATE
Kwab Ako-Adjei, Director, Corporate Communications & Government Relations informed the Gazette that “we are working on a plan for free masks. We will announce that plan once it’s complete.
“In the meantime, we have let residents know that many bricks and mortar stores and online retailers sell masks, and many small businesses that sell them on social media platforms like Facebook.”
Ms Hersh / Mr Wooster
I wonder why anyone should think that’s the city irresponsible to provide any amount of masks. Surely there is no responsibility or onus for the city to provide anything. As with other city or Regional bylaws, or provincial legislation, regulations, requirements the responsibility to ensure masks are worn rests with facility operations and businesses. A number of stores do provide free disposable masks for those who wish to enter but do not have their own mask. Times have changed substantially since the start of the pandemic when PPE was difficult to source. Masks of old salts readily obtainable in store and online.
However if there is any owners on the municipality to provide masks, then surely since there is a mask bylaw from the Region, why no criticism off Halton region.
Selective criticism, maybe ?
NOTE TO SELF. Either do not use the voice dictation feature or at least proof read before submitting
Editor’s comment: Amen to that. We understand the affliction.
Penny’s critique reflects the reality of the performance of this Mayor and Council since they were elected. They are extremely good at grand pronouncements and virtue-signalling with a heavy emphasis on self-aggrandizement. They are also very good at spending money and raising City taxes. However, when it comes to providing services to the residents of Burlington, they are truly lacking–while they were quick to promote their bylaw, they failed to execute in the delivery of masks. Can residents really point to any area in Burlington where there is a better delivery of services now compared to two years ago?
Thank you to Councillor Stolte who indicated on Facebook that 14,000 masks have been donated by the private sector. Councillor Stolte also indicated that distribution centres are in the process of being set up.
So residents need to rely on the private sector to do what our City should have in place. Perhaps the private sector should be setting up the distribution of these masks?
WHY AM I NOT SURPRISED?? – “WE ARE WORKING ON A PLAN TO PROVIDE FREE MASKS” ALTHOUGH A MANDATORY BY-LAW COMES LAW ON MONDAY, JULY 20TH.
The Burlington Seniors Community ( A Volunteer Group) donated 500 disposable masks and 1,500 Nitrile Gloves to the combined “cooked meal program” that is being provided to those in need by Burlington Churches. A request came to our group by Wellington Square Church who is co-ordinating this program.
Our organization purchased these at a time when it was difficult to find PPE within 2 days and delivered them to Wellington Square Church. In addition we continue to provide hundreds of reusable fabric masks that are included with the meals.
A City the size of Burlington has nothing in place, nothing purchased, no idea of how to distribute the masks they have yet to purchase, that they determined are mandatory starting Monday?
Our volunteer group which includes Burlington Seniors Community, ECoB, The Burlington Gazette, St. Matthew’s Church, and the Burlington Lion’s Club along with the volunteer sewers are in the process of completing our promise to provide 3000 reusable masks to those in need.
We found ways to distribute these through The Burlington Food Bank, Wellington Square Church, St. Luke’s Church, Wellington Square Subsidized Housing, Bonnie Place.
THE CITY IS STILL WORKING ON A PLAN – THIS IS MORE THAN SHAMEFUL, especially since Council passed a motion providing $10,000.00 to supply free masks, the only community around to include this in their by-law.
Perhaps City Staff should have been working on this when it passed Committee? Perhaps City Staff should have contacted some of the volunteer organizations who have been providing free services to those in need since March, for their expertise?
Where are the council members now? Some have reached out to ask if our organization has some reusable masks that our volunteers have been sewing for them to give out. All our masks are designated to go to the volunteer agencies who have stepped up months ago to help those in need.
“UPDATE”
Kwab Ako-Adjei, Director, Corporate Communications & Government Relations informed the Gazette that “we are working on a plan for free masks. We will announce that plan once it’s complete.
“In the meantime, we have let residents know that many bricks and mortar stores and online retailers sell masks, and many small businesses that sell them on social media platforms like Facebook.”
Kwab – many people who cannot afford to purchase their own masks don’t have access to social media platforms like Facebook, and if they did do not necessarily have the funds to purchase these, and have them in their hands for Monday, July 20th.
Does the expression “LET THEM EAT CAKE” come to mind.
The City should not consider single use non medical masks to save the environment. As a walker I observe littering of of masks and gloves in our parks, parking lots and sidewalks. These used masks are considered biomedical waste and have to handled with caution. The Volunteer mask program donate washable double layer cotton masks to vulnerable seniors and other groups in Burlington. I hope the City asks for advice from Community groups familiar with this program.