The longer we wait for public health measures, the more out-of-control the pandemic gets

NDP says Ford’s dithering and delaying is causing spread

HAMILTON — With COVID-19 infections rising out of control and hospitals overwhelmed, Doug Ford is recklessly delaying further public health measures, said NDP Leader Andrea Horwath.

“The foot dragging has to end. Telling people stay tuned for more news next week isn’t acceptable. Announcing that he’ll make an announcement later isn’t helping people,” said Horwath.

“The longer Doug Ford dithers and delays, the more out of control the pandemic gets. Instead of consulting his cabinet about the political ramifications, Doug Ford should be listening to the doctors and taking action.”

The Ontario Hospital Association has officially called for a four-week full lock-down for roughly half the province, and public health experts and front-line workers are demanding action. Ford hasn’t responded to any of those calls, and infections are spiking as Christmas shopping continues.

“If Doug Ford waits days before putting new public health protections in place — during the busy holiday shopping week — more people will get sick. More people will die, the virus will get further out of our control, and the coming lockdowns will be deeper and longer,” said Horwath.

The NDP has been calling on Ford to stop sitting on a $12-billion COVID fund the Financial Accountability Officer says is largely unspent, and use it to implement powerful COVID-stopping measures like paid sick days, isolation centres, in-school and in-workplace testing, smaller class sizes capped at 15, more contact tracing.