Wednesday, November 25, 2020
Southpoint Sun - 7
Mayors endorse stepping up enforcement of COVID-19 measures By Ron Giofu Dr. Wajid Ahmed, medical officer of health with the Mayors from Windsor-Essex County gathered on a Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, said the second Zoom call last Wednesday to not only talk about stay- wave of the virus is spreading around the world, ining safe from COVID-19 but to enforce rules surround- cluding this region but believed Windsor-Essex Couning the ongoing pandemic. ty is faring better than some areas. The virtual meeting was streamed on Wind“The biggest difference is early inter“Right now, vention,” said Ahmed. sor Mayor Drew Dilkens’ Facebook page, with all mayors from Essex County included on Ahmed believed people are getting I’m feeling the call. Dilkens said most people in Wind“careless” and called for them to limit cautiously sor-Essex County are following the rules “and social gatherings to only those in their optimistic,” households. for that I’m truly grateful” but said everyone needs to keep following the rules and obeying “The time for education is over,” he — Hilda the restrictions set down by upper levels of said. “It’s time for action and we all need MacDonald government. to act together.” “We know this is an unprecedented panLeamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald demic. We know what it’s done to our community, indicated the she and Kingsville Mayor Nelson Sanour economy, our businesses and our families,” said tos met with provincial officials about workers in the Dilkens. “We know what it’s done to people’s mental agri-farm sector. She said things have progressed since health, our social connections and the incredible im- the spring and the agri-farm community and everyone pact it has had on our schools and families.” involved believes they can’t be as hesitant as they were Dilkens emphasized the entire region needs to work and recognize the need to mobilize when ready. together to combat the spread of COVID-19 and said “Right now, I’m feeling cautiously optimistic,” said that, in Windsor, tougher enforcement measures are on MacDonald. “I do feel we’re in a good spot.” the horizon. Santos added he thanks all of the user groups in his “The time for education is over,” he said. “It’s time to educate bank accounts.” Warden Gary McNamara, also the mayor of Tecumseh, said there were fears the coronavirus could surge when cooler temperatures arrived. “Unfortunately, our worst fears are coming true,” he said. As a family, we loved the Christmas season. McNamara urged residents to continue washing For many years, my husband, Norris would their hands, staying two metres apart, keep wearing masks, not attending large social gatherings and address the part of Santa for our family and hering to any and all health guidelines. other’s enjoyment. “As a region, we need to stop the spread of COVID-19 and not overburden our healthcare system and our In January 2019, our family was shocked long-term care homes,” he said. into grief when my son-in-law, Jacob, died All municipalities need to be on the same page as it unexpectedly. Little did we know, my relates to enforcing the rules, McNamara said, as he doesn’t want to see instances where people could go to husband would pass one year later. another part of the area knowing they would only get a When Jacob died, Norris was battling a bout warning instead of a fine for flouting the rules. “If you break the rules, there should be consequencof pneumonia. Throughout the year, he es,” he stated. “It’s important for us to be as tough as fought to get better until the fall when he we can when we have to be.”
community and urged everyone to be safe. Amherstburg Mayor Aldo DiCarlo said the town supports the restrictions and the enforcement thereof. “To all who are following the rules, thank you,” said DiCarlo. To those not following the rules, DiCarlo urged them to do so by stating “please follow the restrictions and that will get us through this a lot faster.” Lakeshore Mayor Tom Bain said his municipality is “100 per cent” behind the following of the rules and praised Dr. Ahmed for his efforts. He urged people to follow all the public health guidelines. “The message today is don’t let your guard down,” said Bain. LaSalle Mayor Marc Bondy added his municipality will be enforcing the COVID-19 rules and said while there may be those who claim they don’t want to wear masks, businesses have the right to protect their employees. Essex Mayor Larry Snively thanked frontline healthcare workers, noting there was an outbreak in his town, and also urged people to wear masks and play by the rules. “It’s so important. We have to stop the spread,” said Snively.
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started to decline rapidly. I cared for Norris at home and had gone into “nurse mode” until he was hospitalized in mid-November. A month later, he was moved to ChathamKent Hospice. Our family found the Hospice environment to be quiet, kind, supportive and private. There were none of the barriers we would have experienced at home… it was comforting. Being able to stay overnight with Norris was such a blessing. I could wander the halls in the quiet of the night while Norris rested.
enjoyed a Christmas dinner together as a family. We had some familiarity with Hospice prior to this because we had known a few people who had called Hospice, home. After my son -in-law died earlier that year, my daughters also found support in the Art Therapy program offered as part of the Grief and Bereavement services. When my husband passed, I experienced sadness beyond belief. Now it was my turn on this grief journey.
Due to Covid-19 Restrictions our application process this year will be BY TELEPHONE ONLY throughout the month of November.
Through the support I received while at Hospice, I was set on a path of grieving that Hospice gave us permission to be ourselves. was best for me. On this journey, I am able I no longer had to be “nurse” but could just to grieve in my way, on my own schedule and have found spending time in nature to be be his wife. Norris had the opportunity to very helpful. Our family is forever grateful dress up as Santa one last time to the enjoyment of our family as well as others at for the care and compassion shown to all of Hospice. He loved being Santa and this made us! In memory of Norris Reynolds shared by his him, and all of us, very happy. We also
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wife, Joyce, and family.
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