Toronto’s mayor, TTC recommend masks despite transit mandate lifting

Article content material

With a provincial masks mandate now not obligatory on public transit and in hospitals as of Saturday, response is blended as individuals weigh how the change will have an effect on their lives and the lives of others.

Article content material

Some hospitals have additionally determined to maintain masks guidelines in place.

The TTC and Mayor John Tory suggest conserving masks.

The transit fee stated it “strongly recommends continued use when using the standard system. Masks stay obligatory on Wheel-Trans – a choice made in session with our accessible transit advisors.”

Amongst TTC riders, some say not everybody has been abiding by the rule.

“I’m okay with it. You don’t actually need to put on a masks wherever else,” stated Jade Mair, as she waited for streetcar on School St.

“Lots of people don’t put on a masks anyway on the TTC, so it looks like they’re already lagging behind what persons are doing.”

Grace Cowtan agreed some commuters have already ditched masks.

“I see lots of people with out their masks irrespective of the place you go,” she stated.

Article content material

As she entered School Subway, she voiced opposition to the change beginning Saturday.

“I feel it’s silly,” Cowtan stated. “I feel it’s loopy. I feel we should always all put on a masks till its 100% via.”

The provincial change takes impact in all settings besides long-term care and retirement houses – the place individuals face better danger if contaminated.

Ruthann Tobey stated underlying sickness will hold her masked up.

“I say you probably have an sickness or a cough, I feel you must proceed to put on it like hospitals are doing,” she stated earlier than boarding a streetcar. “However in any other case I feel it’s individuals’s selection.”

The Ontario Hospital Affiliation (OHA) is anxious that particular person hospitals will make their very own choices.

However it’s not totally supportive of the transfer by the Chief Medical Officer of Well being.

Article content material

“Whereas COVID-related hospitalizations and significant sickness are declining, susceptible populations proceed to be at heightened danger of an infection,” OHA stated in a press release.

“We due to this fact anticipate hospitals will preserve their very own COVID-related masking and private protecting gear insurance policies and procedures for the foreseeable future, even after provincial necessities are lifted.”

Alongside ‘hospital row’ on College Ave., Dave Peddle agreed.

“I feel we should always within the hospital. Simply to maintain individuals safer,” he stated.

“I do know persons are fed up of masks – identical to myself. However I do consider it’ll hold individuals safer.”

His pal Navtarndeep Singh disagreed.

“I feel nothing must be made obligatory. It must be extra of an non-compulsory factor for individuals to do no matter they need,” he stated.

slaurie@postmedia.com

On Twitter: @_ScottLaurie