Canada Report: More mask mandates? Top health official asks people to take precautions
There’s a possibility Canadians will again face a mask-wearing mandate by the government on advice of medical professionals concerned about pandemic outbreaks.
For now, federal health officials and politicians are urging people to take their own precautions as virus cases increase and hospitals become crowded again.
Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, is urging people to wear face masks indoors and continue following other public health precautions.
“Getting up-to-to date with vaccines and flu shots along with mask-wearing when used together can provide excellent protection against COVID-19 as well as other infectious diseases we may encounter,” she said.
Multiple layers of personal protection will be necessary in the coming weeks to reduce the impact of a fall surge of influenza, RSV and COVID-19 cases, she said at a news conference. She said that includes “good hand hygiene and wearing well-fitting face masks indoors and in places with poor ventilation, where physical distancing is not possible.”
A national poll by Nanos Research found up to seven in 10 Canadians would support the return of face-mask mandates in indoor public spaces.
Remembrance Day celebrated
Canadians marked Remembrance Day at ceremonies across the country on Friday, but noticeably absent was Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
He was out of the country en route to an international summit in Cambodia, but he did meet with Armed Forces members at a refueling stop at the Anchorage airport in Alaska.
His wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, joined thousands of people wearing red poppy emblems at ceremonies for Canada’s veterans on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
The largest ceremonies were, there but events across the country attracted thousands of people and veterans who took part in a moment of silence at 11 a.m. at the National War Memorial.
Governor General Mary Simon wore an Army uniform as Canada’s commander-in-chief, and Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay represented the government.
In brief
• A Canadian airline crew and passengers who were held under arrest in the Dominican Republic since spring will be coming home. The five airline crew members and seven passengers were held over drug-possession allegations since March 31. They were on a chartered Pivot Air flight out of Toronto and were arrested when their mechanic reported finding eight duffle bags containing 210 kilograms of cocaine.
• Economists still predict a slowdown is coming, but Canada’s labor market for now is still strong. Statistics Canada reports the labor market showed signs of life last month, as there was a surprise jump in adding 108,000 jobs. That held the jobless rate steady at 5.2%, with more people looking for work. October job gains came after four months of losses or little growth.
Facts and figures
• The Canadian dollar returns 73 U.S. cents while the U.S. dollar is worth $1.36 in Canadian funds, before exchange fees.
• The Bank of Canada’s key interest rate is 3.75% while the prime lending rate at commercial banks is 5.95%.
• Canadian stock markets are higher, with the Toronto index at 20,124 points while the TSX Venture index is 600 points.
• The average price for gas in Canada is lower at $1.70 a liter or $6.46 for a U.S. gallon in Canadian funds.
• Lotto Max: (Nov. 8) 4, 7, 14, 18, 26, 40 and 42; bonus 12. (Nov. 4) 4, 8 , 25, 27, 32, 33 and 34; bonus 16.
• Lotto 6/49: (Nov. 9) 21, 23, 30, 34, 41 and 49; bonus 13, (Nov. 5) 2, 20, 31, 40, 48 and 49; bonus 44.
Regional brief
• Negotiations continued through the weekend to seek an end to a labor battle that closed most Toronto schools for three days by striking unionized support workers. The end to the walkout came as the Ontario government said it would give a larger pay increase to the lowest-paid staff in an effort to return to bargaining. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the strike was illegal.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Canada Report: More mask mandates? Top health official warns of surge
