Dear Friends and Neighbours in Pine Meadows

“My wife asked me if I knew what her favourite flower is? Apparently Robin Hood all purpose was the wrong answer!”

I hope you all enjoyed Valentine’s Day and receiving a card from someone else in Pine Meadows. Special thanks to Linda Bell and Cathy Keen for setting this up and all those who made extra cards so that everyone would have one. Great Job Everyone!

I spoke to Dana Burdenuk on Tuesday about the affect on our community of moving from stay at home directives into the Red Zone. She was kind enough to provide the following response.

“Our Public Health Region has gone back to the “Red – Control” level within the COVID-19 Framework, which basically has the same restrictions as we had before Christmas in regard to social and public gatherings as follows:

(a) an organized public event of more than,

              (i)   5 people if the event is held indoors, or

             (ii)   25 people if the event is held outdoors;

   (b)   a social gathering of more than,

              (i)   5 people if the gathering is held indoors, or

             (ii)   25 people if the gathering is held outdoors; or

A person attending an organized public event or social gathering shall comply with public health guidance on physical distancing.

The main changes in the regulations for the “Red – Control” zone are in regard to non-essential retail stores and restaurants, to allow them to re-open safely with clear guidance on capacity limits and safety measures.  The re-opening of businesses will continue to be measured and gradual.

While the trends in public health indicators are heading in the right direction, Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health, has stated that there is still work to do and that “everyone is strongly advised to continue staying at home, avoid social gatherings, only travel between regions for essential purposes, and limit close contacts to your household or those you live with.”  WDG Public Health has the following information shared on their website regarding household gatherings and social circles:

· The Ontario government has paused all recommendations for social circles

· All Ontarians are advised to limit close contact to only with people living in their own household and maintain two metres physical distancing and wear face coverings around everyone else.

· Individuals who live alone may consider having exclusive close contact with another household.

· Virtual gatherings or events are the safest way to visit or celebrate occasions with people outside your household.

Our position at Pine Meadows to ensure we keep COVID out of our community is that non-essential visitors are not permitted.  Exceptions include personal support workers (which may include family members who are providing personal support to their family in the community such as delivering food or medical supplies, cleaning, cooking meals, driving to medical appointments, etc.), emergency home repairs or scheduled renovations, deliveries of goods through delivery services, with proper safety protocols and physical distancing measures in place.  People who live on their own are allowed to visit another household or have one other household visit them in their own home as per provincial regulations.  We will continue to maintain the “No Visitors” sign at the front entrance to our community. “

We have lived under various different types of safety measures over the past year. We also know what works the best to keep ourselves safe. Hand washing/sanitizing, maintaining at least a six feet distance from others and wearing a mask. We know that there are others who feel that these and other regional directives do not apply to them. We are all responsible for our own personal health. If you know of someone in our community who by their actions make you feel unsafe, I would advise you to be extra vigilant in wearing masks and remaining at least a six feet distance from them. Hopefully, soon we will all have been vaccinated and can begin to return to our regular social activities.

Speaking of vaccinations, I had a chat with a representative of Wellington Public Health last week. I proposed the idea of when vaccinations started, that our whole community could be vaccinated in one day in our Grand Hall. He was quite receptive to the idea and was passing it along to the vaccine team. Don Vallery has also been lobbying on our behalf with Dr. Nicola Mercer. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that this clinic can be accomplished.

I was reminded recently that our snow clearing crews are operating large and potentially dangerous equipment. There are also times when they are operating these machines, their vision is obscured by blowing snow. I would encourage everyone to please keep a considerable distance away from these folks who are working hard to clean up our community after a snowfall. In fact it may be wise to stay indoors until the crews are finished and walking on our roadways will be safer.

Please stay safe and healthy everyone.
Joe Piercey