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Sudbury’s top doc urges businesses to take strong stance on face coverings

Dr. Penny Sutcliffe: ‘I would hope the majority of businesses would not allow entry of people who are not wearing face coverings’
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Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, chief medical officer of health for Public Health Sudbury & Districts, says she hopes businesses take a strong stance when it comes to requiring customers to wear face coverngs. (File)

Beginning Wednesday, Sudbury residents will be asked to wear a face covering if they want to enter local businesses or use public transit.

In the case of a person who doesn't want to wear a face mask without a valid reason, business owners still have the right to let that person into their business or to turn that person away. 

Sudbury's chief public health official Dr. Penny Sutcliffe believes it's best to turn them away.

The details of the new masking rules set out by the Ontario government were spelled out in a news release from Public Health Sudbury and Districts where Dr. Sutcliffe said, "Face coverings are extra protection to prevent COVID-19 spread. They also send a message that the wearer wants to protect others."

Public response has been mixed, but some opponents are working hard to grab the spotlight with claims on social media of not being able to breathe well, that non-medical masks are not at all helpful and not liking the idea of big government trampling on their Charter rights. 

Sutcliffe said she understands why some people are wondering why the medical authorities changed their position on the mask issue in recent weeks, when it was not an issue three months ago.

"I guess there's a number of things. We have more information about asymptomatic spread so people who don't have symptoms can still spread the virus. And more information about the effectiveness of face coverings as part of the tools in the toolbox," said Sutcliffe. She added that social distancing and hand-washing are still vital tools.

She said the common goal is to keep ourselves healthy, to keep the health care system healthy and to keep local businesses healthy and economically viable.

"Having this requirement about face coverings when you're in these commercial establishments helps us do all that. It helps the businesses to stay open and not have to go backwards," she added. 

Sutcliffe said even though Ontario is in Stage Two of the provincial recovery plan, there are rumblings about when and if the province will move to Stage Three, which the province has termed as "opening all workplaces responsibly." She said she wants Ontario in a position where it can successfully move forward with Stage Three, which would likely take place in the fall.

She said there is plenty of evidence of what happens when people don't take the coronavirus seriously. For example in the United States where several jurisdictions had restrictions lifted in recent weeks, there has been a spike in reported cases. In the first five days in July, more than a quarter million new cases of COVID-19 were revealed in the U.S.

"You don't even have to go to the States. We've seen it in our own backyards with recent outbreaks in London and Kingston, Ontario."

The virus is still out there and circulating, said Sutcliffe.

 "And I get it, right? People want to go out. We want to have our normal lives back. We don't want to worry about COVID anymore," she said. 

From Sutcliffe's point of view, taking a few precautions; making a few sacrifices in the interest of community safety is not a big deal. 

"My view is that it's really a small price to pay, so keeping our distances, washing our hands and wearing a face covering when we're in indoor places is not a big price to pay."

She mentioned a recent quote where it was observed that several weeks ago, we were all subjected to a full body lockdown.

"And now all we are talking about is a mouth and a nose lockdown." 

For business owners, the revised Ontario regulations mandate that:

1. To the fullest extent possible, ensure effective measures are in place to maintain physical distancing amongst all employees and clients.

2. Unless the nature of work requires the use of a medical mask, to the fullest extent possible, ensure all individuals wear a non-medical mask (for example, a homemade

cloth mask or face covering) when physical distancing is challenging or not possible.

Sutcliffe said there are exemptions for small children, for whom wearing a mask is difficult; for persons who are physically challenged and would not be able to remove a mask without assistance; for persons who experience difficulty in breathing; for persons who have medical reasons such a respiratory difficulties or for persons who have religious reasons for not wearing a mask.  

Sutcliffe said she believes most consumers will be understanding and willing to go along with the new request and business owners are "encouraged" to take all steps to have customers wear face coverings along with other safety measures. 

"At the end of the day if a person doesn't wear a mask and the business wants the person still to enter, there is nothing stopping them from doing that," said Sutcliffe. 

On the other hand, if a business owner is concerned about the health and safety of their employees, they are free to turn away a customer who refuses to wear a mask. The Ontario Government COVID-19 website explained  that all employers are mandated to protect their workers. And workers have the right to refuse to work in situations they believe are unsafe. 

Sutcliffe said her interpretation of the rules is straightforward in that businesses should do whatever it takes to prevent a second wave of the virus.

"It is in their best interests to not spread COVID-19 and so I would hope the majority of businesses would not allow entry of people who are not wearing face coverings. Absolutely."

She said she has faith the community will make the right choices. 

“I encourage everyone to be kind, patient, and respectful to one another. How we navigate this pandemic is our individual and our shared responsibility. These latest instructions continue to count on everyone’s best intentions and my confidence is well placed. I fully expect we will show the province and the world how to do this right,” said Sutcliffe.



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Len Gillis, local journalism initiative reporter

About the Author: Len Gillis, local journalism initiative reporter

Len Gillis is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter at Sudbury.com covering health care in northeastern Ontario and the COVID-19 pandemic.
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