The Hastings Prince Edward Public Health is supporting in principal a provincial government bill that calls for people to “Stay Home if You’re Sick.”
At its virtual meeting on Wednesday, the Board of Health decided to throw its support behind the bill that Minister of Health Christine Elliott has emphasized the need for paid sick days in order to curb the transmission of infectious diseases.
The Board’s letter says “This would result in overall protection of public health. As of December 4 last year, 30 percent of active outbreaks of COVID-19 in Ontario occurred in workplaces. As of September of 2020 workplaces have been associated with seven out of eight outbreaks in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties. One in five cases of COVID locally have been acquired at a workplace outbreak or from close contact with someone who contacted the virus at a workplace.”
It also points out that workplaces where workers lack access to paid sick leave have become hotspots for COVID-19 transmission. Medical Officer of Health Dr. Peter Oglaza told the board.
“Thats a fairly significant portion of that. For someone who has been in close contact with someone who contacted COVID from workplace outbreak.”
Oglaza added, “It is very important to public health issues. Things like the pandemic can impact anyone negative affect might be adding to already existing inequities in paid sick time. That type of inequity adds to health issues.”
“The cut in pay checks and hesitancy to get tested might have driven those outbreaks in the workplace setting. It’s important potential existing in benefits below the minimum wage. It’s more than benefits …individual’s problems with cash flow and buying food makes a big difference on the disease spread.”
Dr. Ethan Toumishey, Hastings Prince Edward Public Heath (Photo: Submitted)
Dr. Ethan Toumishey pointed out the problem of increasing the existence of the virus through work outbreak.
Ëxposing others for multiple days when most infectious …due to those circumstances…so at those times its for a large percentage of the cases and those can be breaking-out clusters that can accelerate the wave.”
Quinte West Councillor Michael Kotsovos noted he had some concerns about use of the paid sick leave, “Should the employee need proof for the sick leave. Some may take advantage of that.”
Oglaza answered, “This is a concept and is not technical. We’re hoping the majority will access it appropriately.”
Oglaza answered, “This is a concept and is not technical. We’re hoping the majority will access it appropriately.”
Quinte West Councillor Terry Cassidy suggested that it should include links to access other health issues and also the letter should be sent to local MPPs, and to expand the list to opposition parties and local municipalities.
