Re: Ottawa Public Health to let go most remaining COVID-19 staff as province ends special pandemic funding, Dec. 3.<\/i><\/p>\n
I\u2019m 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.<\/p>\n
It is irresponsible to cancel these programs. If the province has cancelled funding, the city must step up with its own funding, and put pressure on the provincial government to restore funding.<\/p>\n
SARS-CoV-2 is a level-3 pathogen capable of harming organs throughout the body. Even a relatively \u201cmild\u201d acute case may lead to long COVID, cognitive issues, dementia, strokes, heart failure, heart attacks, diabetes and other health issues. Repeat infections are associated with more severe outcomes.<\/p>\n
We need to invest in preventive public health measures. These must include multiple layers of protection, including universal masking with N95 respirators, vaccines, HEPA filters and improved ventilation.<\/p>\n
Mike Buckthought, Ottawa<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Re: Ottawa Public Health to let go most remaining COVID-19 staff as province ends special pandemic funding, Dec. 3.<\/I><\/p>\n
I\u2019m 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.<\/p>\n