Dear friends and neighbours,

What another beautiful day. Has anyone noticed how loud the birds are? Is it just spring? Or is it because our city is suddenly so (relatively) quiet? 

First, I want to take this opportunity on #WorldHealthDay to thank all the healthcare workers on the frontline of the COVID19 pandemic. Whether you work in a hospital or long term care facility or in the community sector, whether you are a PSW, researcher, nurse, doctor, epidemiologist, public health worker, custodial staff or administrator… whatever your role, on behalf of my team, my family and our community, we are so deeply grateful for all you are doing. And to your family, our deep thanks as well.

Many of you will have received a print newsletter from me this week… you might notice that it was written BEFORE the pandemic! Unfortunately it was printed & sent off to Canada Post before all this began, so we weren’t able to change it and address the enormous issues we are now facing. Perhaps it will stand as a reminder that life can change so very quickly. In the meantime, please hold onto it so you have the contact information for my office.

We have seen a dramatic uptick in calls to our office over the last few days. People are having difficulties with OW and ODSP support, small businesses and residential tenants are worried about paying rent, and many of you are having difficulty navigating new programs and benefits. We’ve also heard from many families who are concerned about protection for workers -- in nursing homes, construction sites, etc. We continue to advocate for you. Please call us and we will do our very best to assist you. We’ve had success in helping many of you so far, and our team -- Ashley, Peter, Greg and myself -- are eager to assist.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch your thoughts, ideas and concerns - we’re working hard to connect people with services, information and supports. 
Leave a message at 416-535-3158 and we’ll call you back, or write: MStiles-CO@ndp.on.ca

As well, if you need urgent help -- perhaps you have run out of food options or diapers or anything -- please don’t forget the good neighbours in our community who are reaching out and coordinating assistance. Davenport Mutual Aid Network now has a phone number: 647-812-7798. Leave a voicemail and they will get back to you, or email them at: davenportmutualaid@gmail.com. Those are also the contacts if you are looking to lend a hand with this growing support network.

Stay safe, stay well.

Marit

Here are a few of today’s developments on the fight against COVID-19.

• After a contentious order by Trump to halt exports of N95 respirators to Canada, Minnesota-based medical mask manufacturer 3M struck an agreement with the White House to allow its continued export of N95s and other PPEs to Canada -- Prime Minister Trudeau said 500,000 masks from 3M should arrive tomorrow.

• Still, Premier Doug Ford warned Ontarians that the province is low on PPEs for health care workers, saying the province can't rely on the global supply chain--Ontario companies that can do so have been encouraged to retool their supply chains to help meet this need. 

• The province also launched an online portal to match skilled health care workers currently not employed in the system with employers. I’m very pleased with this development -- something we have been calling for.

• NDP Leader Andrea Horwath held a press conference today, calling on the Ford government to make major changes and investments in long-term care and home-care to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 amongst our most vulnerable seniors--to date, there have been at least 36 outbreaks in Ontario's long-term care homes.

Here are some things we’re hearing from our community members:

• We’re still hearing from people who are falling through the gaps between income support programs that have been announced by each level of government, either because of their employment status, immigration status or because they are already receiving social assistance. I’m working to flag these gaps in the support programs and I continue to push for direct, universal benefits to be made available as quickly as possible so that no one has to go without necessities.

• With Ontario limiting prescription refills to 30-day supplies during the pandemic, some Ontarians--seniors especially--are worried about being able to afford the more frequent dispensing fees. The NDP is calling on the Ford government to cancel and cover the prescription drug co-payments required of seniors during the pandemic. 

• Some families have written with concerns about access to the internet and laptops for their children who are looking forward to connecting with their schools and teachers. We are in touch with the school boards to help facilitate this. Schools are scrambling to provide supports as quickly as possible, but it is not business as usual. Please contact us about this or any other questions you have about how the new remote/distance learning is working for you. 
• For families in the TDSB, Davenport Trustee Stephanie Donaldson has a new newsletter out with important information about schools. You can see it here.

Important reminder about benefits:

• As part of the staggered application period for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, you can apply today if your birthday is in April, May or June.
  Apply at: www.canada.ca/coronavirus 

• The Provincial government’s one-time childcare payment is available now: Learn more and apply here.

Public Health Updates

COVID-19 self-assessment tool:
Use this to determine what steps you should take should you exhibit symptoms: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/#q0

Reminder that updates on the pandemic response are available daily on the following websites:

Toronto.ca/coronavirus

Information from Toronto Public Health on local cases, how to protect yourself and where to seek further medical support.

Ontario.ca/coronavirus

Information from Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long Term Care

Find out how to protect yourself, what to do if you’re sick and how to recognize possible symptoms. Updated twice daily, in 30 languages.

Canada.ca/coronavirus

Information from the Government of Ontario and the Public Health Agency of Canada

Updates on the national response, travel advice and preparedness.