A family gathers for dinner. File photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo / famveldmanA family gathers for dinner. File photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo / famveldman
Chatham

'Don't shoot the messenger' because of Thanksgiving restrictions

Chatham-Kent's Medical Officer of Health is concerned about residents not following social gathering restrictions over the Thanksgiving holiday, especially if local families are considering hosting visitors from COVID-19 hot spots.

As of Thursday, Chatham-Kent only had two active cases of COVID-19, whereas the province reported its highest daily increase of 797 new cases.

"We have a very small number of active cases here in Chatham-Kent and there have been concerns expressed, not only with the 'I'm sick of all this' type of [comments] but also some inconsistency with provincial policies -- or what appears to be an inconsistency," said Dr. David Colby.

During a media briefing, Colby also said there are a lot of factors at play when it comes to preventing the spread of COVID-19, adding that limits on family gatherings for this holiday "makes sense".

"Don't shoot the messenger," he said. "This only makes sense and this is being said from the chief medical officer of Canada, through the chief medical officer of Ontario, and the local medical officers of health. In particular, what we are worried about are people travelling from high-prevalent jurisdictions, not knowing they are infected."

Colby said close and family contact is how many people have contracted the novel coronavirus, which is why a virtual Thanksgiving is recommended or for turkey dinners to be held outdoors if possible.

"Nobody likes this. We don't like it. But we can't allow this to spread willy-nilly and overload our acute care settings," said Colby.

Chatham-Kent CAO Don Shropshire said he understands the frustration or disappointment some residents may feel about an untraditional Thanksgiving but COVID-19 restrictions can't be paused for a holiday.

"We're feeling the same restrictions. I would love to have my kids together, we're having a virtual Thanksgiving," said Shropshire. "There is no special dispensation because it's Thanksgiving."

Shropshire said the provincial government has written to those in law enforcement to crack down on people who are non-compliant with the current restrictions.

Provincial limits on gatherings are 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors. However, at the beginning of the month, the provincial government paused the concept of social bubbles and advised Ontarians to only have close contact with those in their household.

Colby said the risk of spreading COVID-19 is greater when more people are gathered together, especially if someone is considered to be a "super-spreader". Colby said a super-spreader is someone who can transmit the virus to a large number of people but it's currently unknown what makes some a super-spreader.

"The more people that are in one place at one time, the greater the risk. Inside, is many times more hazardous than outside," said Colby. "This is just the science. It's the basis for the rules that we have, why the limits are different for indoor gatherings and outdoor gatherings."

As to why some local events are being cancelled and others are not, Shropshire said each case is looked at individually. If an event can proceed with proper limit restrictions and social-distancing measures in place than they can go ahead. However, events like parades are still prohibited under a provincial order.

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