Robert Oliphant

COVID-19 March 2021 Update

Dear friends,

One year ago, our lives changed in ways few of us could imagine. The news of COVID-19 infections and deaths has shaken all of us. In the one year that has passed, too many people, especially senior citizens, have died. Others became ill with COVID-19, were hospitalized and recovered. While most Canadians have not been infected with COVID-19, almost all of us know, or know of, someone who was ill and perhaps has died.

However, in the span of one year, we have seen the unprecedented research, development, manufacturing and distribution of vaccines that are now going to protect us against COVID-19 infection. It is nothing short of remarkable to have a vaccine for a novel coronavirus within a year of the first cases. I cannot recall a time when an effective vaccine to a new virus was developed with the dedication, cooperation and speed as the vaccines for COVID-19.

Our government has signed contracts with seven manufacturers of the COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers. And they have begun to arrive in greater and greater numbers. The momentum of vaccine deliveries to Canada is such that we have no doubt that everyone in Canada who wants a vaccine will have access to one by the end of September 2021.

I urge you to find out from the provincial and local authorities about receiving your vaccine, especially if you are over the age of 80 and living in a congregate setting or in your own home.

COVID-19 Vaccine Update

With the latest announcement of Health Canada’s approval of the single-dose Janssen vaccine, we now have four vaccines approved for use in Canada.

Pfizer has committed to delivering at least one million vaccines every week between March 22 and May 10.

With increased shipments of the Pfizer vaccine, we are on track to receive more than 8 million vaccines by the end of March. We will have more than enough vaccines for every Canadian who wants one by the end of September.

Where to Pre-Register for a COVID-19 Vaccine

As you know, the distribution of vaccines, setting the priorities for who will get them and when is the responsibility of the provincial government. Recently, local hospitals have stepped up to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to people over the age of 80 (born in 1941 or earlier), adults who receive home care, health care workers who are at risk and other vulnerable populations.

For residents of Don Valley West, I encourage you to pre-register for your COVID-19 vaccine if you are in any of these groups.

In Don Valley West, you can pre-register for a COVID-19 vaccine at one of the three following hospitals:

North York General Hospital

https://www.nygh.on.ca/test.php/covid19vaccination

Michael Garron Hospital

https://www.tehn.ca/

Sunnybrook Hospital

https://covidvaccine.sunnybrook.ca/covid-vaccine/pre-reg/

Starting on March 15, the provincial government vaccination portal will be accepting bookings for your COVID-19 vaccine. Please visit: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/

COVID-19 Vaccinations at Pharmacies

There are participating pharmacies which are offering COVID-19 vaccines to people between the ages of 60 and 64 at 327 locations across Ontario.

Some of the locations in the vicinity of Don Valley West are listed below, We urge you to contact the one nearest you to see if they still have vaccination appointments available:

Shoppers Drug Mart, 1601 Bayview Avenue - 416-489-1873
I CARE Pharmacy Services, 2 Thorncliffe Park Drive, Unit 26-27 - 416-421-7000
Shoppers Drug Mart, 770 Lawrence Ave West, 416-787-0238
Costco, 42 Overlea Blvd. - 647-265-9387
Shoppers Drug Mart, 2345 Yonge Street - 416-487-5411
Shoppers Drug Mart, 759 Mount Pleasant Road - 416-482-7100
Rexall, 2300 Yonge Street - 416-484-4540
Shoppers Drug Mart, 1859 Leslie Street - 416-383-9599
Shoppers Drug Mart, 3366 Yonge Street - 416-483-3018
Shoppers Drug Mart, 2528 Bayview Avenue - 416-444-8411
Shoppers Drug Mart, 45 Overlea Blvd. - 416-421-5141
Shoppers Drug Mart, 1860 Bayview Avenue - 416-482-9841
Rexall, 3402 Yonge Street - 416-544-0746

A National Day of Observance

Over the past year, nurses, physicians, technicians, paramedics, custodians and all other hospital and long-term care staff have worked under stressful and strained conditions. Many were infected with COVID-19 and several died. We need to honour them.

Senior citizens in long-term care residences bore the brunt of the pandemic. Often, they died alone without family or friends present. We need to remember them and do better in the future.

As we turn our minds to getting vaccinated, I ask that each of you think of the thousands of people who have died from COVID-19. We must honour their memory.

Wellness Together

Over the course of 2020, people who were able to do so worked from home. Students learned online. Large in person gatherings of families and friends had to be postponed or cancelled. Social isolation increased.

In these circumstances, it is understandable that some people are feeling more anxious or worried.

Our government has launched Wellness Together Canada to make sure people have a way to reach out for support. None of us has to live with anxiety alone.

I urge you to reach out to make sure your circle of family and friends are coping.

COVID-19 Financial Supports

Canada Recovery Benefit: The CRB provides financial support to employed and self-employed people who are not covered by Employment Insurance (EI). Our government has announced a proposed extension to allow eligible recipients to apply for a total of 38 weeks between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021. For more information, please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-benefit.html

Employment Insurance: We have proposed changes to EI to increase the maximum number of weeks so that eligible recipients could receive up to 50 weeks for claims between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021. Please consult https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei.html for more information.

Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit: This benefit provides income support to people who are unable to work because they are caring for a child under the age of 12 or a person who requires specialized care. This applies, for example, in cases where a school is closed because of COVID-19. We have proposed an extension of this benefit to allow eligible recipients to apply for a total of 39 weeks between September 27, 2020 and September 25, 2021. You can apply at: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-caregiving-benefit.html

Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP): This program will apply to the hardest hit sectors of our economy, including restaurants, hospitality and tourism. Under the HASCAP, businesses are offered low-interest loans from $25,000 to $1 million to cover operational cash flow requirements. Learn more at: https://www.bdc.ca/en/special-support/hascap?ref=shorturl-hascap

Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS): The CERS program is in place to assist with rent and mortgage payments of 65% of eligible expenses to eligible businesses. Our government has proposed extending this program until June 5, 2021. For more information, please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-rent-subsidy.html

Stay vigilant against COVID-19

Although we appear to be heading towards brighter days, we cannot stop being vigilant about COVID-19.

Even after you have received a vaccine, please follow the COVID-19 safety protocols. While evidence is still being gathered, vaccinated people may still carry the virus and infect those not yet vaccinated.

And with variants of the virus emerging, now is not the time to stop physical distancing or wearing a mask.

Download the COVID-19 App

Many people have still not downloaded the COVID App onto their mobile telephones. The COVID Alert app can let you know if you may have been exposed to COVID-19. The more people who use the app, the more useful it will be in protecting our loved ones and limiting further spread of infection.

The app does not collect any personal information or track your location; it uses your device’s Bluetooth to let you know if your device was in close proximity to the device of someone who reported testing positive for COVID-19.

Download the COVID Alert app for free from the App Store or the Google Play Store.

We're here to help!

Thank you for your continued goodwill and community spirit through this difficult time. Although we are working from home, my staff and I are making every effort to ensure Don Valley West remains a strong, vibrant community through this pandemic.

If you have any concerns, questions, or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or call 416-467-7275.

All the best,

Rob

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