Government measures not enough to contain COVID-19

Responding to mounting pressure from health providers, the Ontario government announced temporary measures to end sick notes and introduce job-protected leave for the duration of the coronavirus outbreak. This is a positive step, but it’s way too little, too late.

To follow our medical advice, patients need financial support to stay home. This is why, as health providers, we’ll continue to call for immediate urgent action:

- 7 permanent paid sick days and 14 additional paid sick days during crises

- Greater access to Employment Insurance

- An emergency fund that leaves no worker behind

Read our comprehensive recommendations here.  

Today, the federal government announced it is closing the border. This is not an effective medical strategy to control a fast-moving virus like COVID-19. It is also a dangerous diversion of resources away from effective measures to fight the virus, as epidemiologist Jennifer Nuzzo from John Hopkins University testifies. In addition, there is no public health reason to only allow healthy Canadian citizens or permanent residents and American citizens across the border, while shutting others out. Particularly since those who pose the greatest risk to COVID-19 transmission are young people who are asymptomatic.

As health providers, our priority remains calling for governmental action to ensure our patients have the financial support to follow our medical advice. Only then can they practice social distancing to delay viral transmission. Help us show government the urgency of acting now, by sharing these messages:

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In this crucial moment, we want to share the stories of health workers who are witnessing the frontline health impacts of gaps in labour policy.

How are you and your patients impacted by the lack of paid sick days in this moment of crisis? Do you have stories about your patients’ inability to follow your medical advice because of the lack of financial supports available? Let us know by emailing Rana at [email protected].