By Pepper Parr
July 29th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The Mayor reports that: “At a special meeting July 28, Burlington City Council approved amendments to our temporary Mask By-law which regulates the use of face masks and coverings within enclosed spaces open to the public.
“The amendments were made for consistency with Halton Region’s Mask Bylaw and on advice received from Halton Region’s Medical Officer of Health.
Mayor Meed Ward out and about sporting a fashionably black face mask Missing is a city crest.
“The By-law was implemented in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of the community.
“The changes are now in effect and include:
* Exempting children under the age of five from wearing a mask (previously children under three).
* Requiring parents/guardians of children over five years of age to make a “best effort” to ensure the children wear a mask
* Removing face shields as an acceptable face covering. Public Health information indicates that face coverings need to cover the nose and mouth without gapping
* Updating wording related to “employee-only areas” which are not regulated under the by-law
Applying the Mask By-law to City recreation facilities.
”The updates to our temporary mask by-law will help ensure residents have consistency in the Burlington and Halton Region bylaws”, said the Mayor who added: “Masks are an essential way to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 so we can continue to move forward in reopening businesses and schools and getting back to more of the activities we all enjoy. I encourage all our residents to wear a mask in public indoor spaces to help protect our families, friends, and community.
“The removal of face shields as an alternative to face masks was based on advice from Halton Region’s Medical Officer of Health during discussion at Halton Regional Council of the Region’s mask bylaw. Face shields can be an added layer of protection when worn with a face masks, but based on medical advice are not considered a substitute for a face mask.”
Not everyone agrees with the Mayor. Hopefully the comment from Bruce Lacillade is that of a very small minority. “Again, Marianne, I am disappointed in you. Forcing citizens to give up their humanity and be treated as nothing more than a disease! Masking is only another step toward total control of society; you know that. The coronavirus is an influenza virus nothing more.
Deniers become more desperate every day. Anyone longing for “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” is welcome not too far south of here.
Fortunately Bruce Lacillade does not have a leadership position or elected office. One of my grandfathers was killed by the “Spanish Flu” in Holland in 1919, which seemed to have much in common with COVID-19; it would be wise not to dismiss COVID as “nothing more” than an influenza virus.