Schools will remain closed
It looks like schools in Ontario will remain closed for the rest of the school year.
Reports say the Ford cabinet will make the decision later today, despite advice from health
experts that it would be safe to return to in-person learning.
The government is apparently concerned that some regions where COVID-19 numbers remain high would not be able to open schools before the end of June so the shutdown will continue province-wide.
Students have been learning from home since mid-April.
Stay at home order essentially the same
The provincial stay-at-home order has now expired but don’t expect too much to change.
While it’s now permissible to travel in Ontario, all other restrictions will remain in place until the government’s latest three-stage recovery program begins on June 14th.
Solicitor-General Sylvia Jones says, while there’s been great progress in the battle against COVID-19 in recent weeks, now is not the time to let down our guard.
A look at the local numbers
Public Health Sudbury & Districts is reporting no new active cases of COVID-19.
Considering resolved cases, there are now 27 active cases within the health agency’s jurisdiction.
Health Sciences North reports there are 13 admitted patients, with nine testing positive for the virus and four waiting for test results.
Of the nine, four are in the intensive care unit.
Algoma Public Health is reporting no new cases of the coronavirus in the district.
Considering resolved cases, there are eight active cases with four individuals in hospital.
Of the four in hospital, all are from outside the Algoma District, but are receiving care locally.
Push to open businesses
Now that the stay-at-home order has been lifted, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business wants the government to begin reopening the economy immediately.
It wants non-essential stores allowed to resume operations, with limited capacity, restaurants and bars to resume indoor dining also with reduced capacity and personal care services like hair salons allowed to provide services by appointment.
The organization says many small businesses are on the verge of extinction and they must be allowed to open now, to avoid permanent closures.
Youth and mental health
The Ford government is providing another 31-million dollars for youth mental health initiatives.
Included is a new virtual consulting initiative, designed to determine whether more intensive intervention is needed.
Health Minister Christine Elliott says the new funding will help expand services and reduce waiting times.
Elliott says children have been affected by the closure of our schools and when our children suffer, we all suffer.