Leamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald thinks more farmers will step up to the plate and get migrant workers tested for COVID-19.
So far, a designated testing centre for migrant workers and the on-farm program has seen disappointing uptake, so far.
Erie Shores Healthcare closed the centre at Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre earlier than expected after only 750 migrant workers showed up over eight days. Health professionals were prepared to test that many in one day. Also, only two farms and one greenhouse operation have agreed to have health officials on-site to test the workers.
However, MacDonald said she thinks that it is beginning to change with public pressure and a plan coming to fruition that will protect farmers.
"There's been a hesitancy because they're worried about their labour," explained MacDonald. "Even if ten per cent of their people test positive that impacts the production of the farm."
Local health officials said about 10 per cent of those workers swabbed at the centre in Leamington tested positive for the virus.
MacDonald said she regrets farmers have been mostly absent from the public conversation about why Windsor-Essex remains in stage one of reopening its economy while the rest of the province advances.
She does not agree with not testing the workers, but MacDonald said she understands it.
"They have contracts with grocery stores, all kinds of food chains. This would be more than just a crop. This would be losing their employees, the opportunity to hire more employees, opening themselves up to lawsuits," she said.
Earlier in the week, Erie Shores Healthcare said going farm to farm is possible, but with workers at 176, it would require more resources than what is available locally.
The City of Windsor recently opened an isolation and recovery centre, and MacDonald told BlackburnNews.com Leamington may open housing later this week.
Premier Doug Ford will announce a plan to help farmers and advance the region to stage two, and MacDonald hopes it includes a way farmers can make the best of a difficult situation.
"We're hoping that the province steps up with some staged conditions for the different workers," said MacDonald. "That they could be isolated, the ones that are well yet positive, keep them totally isolated both in living conditions and within the different ranges on the farm."
At the same time, MacDonald is not surprised small businesses are frustrated with the slow pace of the economic restart. Having owned one of her own before becoming mayor, she said for many, the delay has meant more than furloughing their staff. It could mean the loss of their livelihood and even their homes.
"I would be pulling my hair out," she said. "I get it."
Should the second wave of COVID-19 hit, MacDonald hopes provincial and federal governments learn a few lessons. While there is blame to be shared by many, she believes the biggest mistake was not appointing a ministry to coordinate both the economic and health concerns.