Masks should be mandatory to avoid becoming like the U.S., Toronto mayor says

Authored by msn.com and submitted by ONE-OF-THREE
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The U.S. has become an example of what not to do when it comes to coronavirus, at least for the mayor of Canada’s largest city.

Toronto’s City Council voted on Tuesday to make mask-wearing mandatory in enclosed public spaces, The Star reported.

The move was backed by Mayor John Tory, who said the action is needed to stem the spread of coronavirus – and pointed to the U.S. as an example of what not to do.

“We are in the midst of reopening our city, safely restarting the economy, with an emphasis on the word safely. So we will continue to do everything we can to keep this virus from spreading and to avoid a resurgence of cases like we are seeing in other jurisdictions in North America,” Toronto Mayor John Tory said at a press conference Tuesday, according to CBC News.

“You have told us you don’t want to see a repeat of what you see when you turn on your TV and see reports from the United States,” he said.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the U.S. had seen more than 2.6 million cases, with 126,645 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Mayors in surrounding cities had already asked Ontario Premier Robert Ford to issue a mask order, but he had rejected the bid, saying it “wasn’t necessary,” CBC News reported Monday, though local health officials have the legal authority to make such determinations on the ground.

Tory said masks are a sign of respect and mutual protection.

“Wearing fabric masks or face coverings keep you from unknowingly spreading this COVID-19 virus and keeps the people around you from spreading it to you. It is about respecting and protecting each other,” he said. “It may be uncomfortable. It may look unusual. It may take you out of your comfort zone. I can say that’s true for me, because I have been wearing a mask regularly in recent times. But our doctor says that it works.”

“The risk of the spread of COVID-19 continues,” said Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Eileen de Villa, according to Global News Canada. “While the science on masks is still evolving, there is still a growing body of emerging evidence that show that non-medical masks can help prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

The temporary bylaw goes into effect next Tuesday, joining a similar requirement for transit riders set to go into effect on Thursday.

Joliet_Jake_Blues on July 1st, 2020 at 05:29 UTC »

We're mere days from Trump claiming he always told people to wear masks.

Days!

For_TheEmperor on July 1st, 2020 at 04:13 UTC »

“You have told us you don’t want to see a repeat of what you see when you turn on your TV and see reports from the United States,” he said.

I think Canadians are horrified about what is happening across their border right now.

whodatsumbitch on July 1st, 2020 at 03:12 UTC »

Totally agree. I live in Hamilton and we need to do the same. Too many fucktards out there who are not taking this seriously. Things are getting worse