Cutting wastewater surveillance is short-sighted

Published June 8, 2024

Published by: Toronto Star
Published on: June 8, 2024

Ontario to halt COVID wastewater surveillance program, June 4

The Ontario government’s plan to axe funding for wastewater surveillance is irresponsible. Wastewater monitoring is an essential public health tool that provides insights into the spread of SARS-CoV-2, influenza and other viruses. Without funding, we will lose important information about the prevalence of these significant health concerns.

The timing of the announcement is astonishing. We are faced with an ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and new hyper-infectious subvariants are spreading rapidly. We will be hindered in providing an early warning system to inform everyone about new subvariants and emerging pandemic threats such as avian flu.

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letter to the editor

We must invest in COVID programs

Published December 9, 2023

Published by: Ottawa Citizen
Published on: December 9, 2023
By Mike Buckthought

Re: Ottawa Public Health to let go most remaining COVID-19 staff as province ends special pandemic funding, Dec. 3.

I’m deeply disappointed to hear that Ottawa Public Health will be cancelling COVID-19 programs, including immunization services for the general population. The pandemic is not over. According to Statistics Canada, COVID-19 was the third-leading cause of death for Canadians last year.

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universal masking

Hospitals must keep the masks

Published May 17, 2023

Published by: Ottawa Citizen
Published on: May 17, 2023
By Mike Buckthought

Re: Three Ottawa hospitals loosen masking requirements, still require them in clinical areas, May 15.

I’m really disappointed to hear that masks will no longer be required in certain public spaces at the Queensway Carleton, Montfort and Royal hospitals. Preventative medicine is best.

We need universal masking with N95 and FFP3 respirators to reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses.

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Tag: letter to the editor