Dan Delorme will wear his mask on public transport in the foreseeable future, despite the fact that he no longer has to wear one.
On Saturday, the province lifted its remaining mandates for public transport masks and health facilities.
“You could say I’m a little restless,” Delorme told the CBC on Saturday as he waited for his bus on Rideau Street. “I’m still defending myself. I’m still wearing my mask and trying not to touch any surfaces.”
Delorme is extremely cautious because he suffers from asthma, he said: “If I get COVID, I will not survive it because it is a disease that affects the lungs. I’m not taking any chances. ”
Ivy Chan isn’t taking any chances either. She continues to wear a “self-defense” face.
“And to protect the people I love and really care about,” she said. “The pandemic is not over. I just don’t feel comfortable exposing myself.
Emma Deleon wears a mask while waiting for a taxi at the ByWard Market. She says the piece of cloth prevented her from “getting sick” in the past. That’s why she will continue to use it.
Emma Deleon wears a mask while waiting for a taxi on Rideau Street on June 11, 2022 (Rachelle Elsiufi / CBC)
OC Transpo announced earlier this week that although wearing a mask on public transport is strongly encouraged, it will no longer be required.
The additional sanitary measures introduced for the pandemic will remain. These include daily cleaning of all vehicles and stations, protective shields in front of the buses and touch-free payment options.
Transit users are required to wear a mask from June 15, 2020, after the city’s transit commission approves the rules.
Public health in Ottawa still recommends wearing a mask, although the province is ending its term.
Fewer masks can increase infections, the doctor said
In enclosed spaces without proper ventilation, such as public transportation, airports and classrooms, Dr. Emilio Alarcon, an assistant professor of biochemistry, microbiology and immunology at the University of Ottawa, says wearing a mask can help prevent the disease from spreading.
OC Transpo still recommends wearing a mask on public transport, but says masks are no longer needed on buses or LRTs as of Saturday. (Trevor Pritchard / CBC)
“So it’s all about ventilation and air and how fast the air needs to change, especially if you have these particles floating around.”
He warns that without the remaining mandates for masks, we can see a jump in the number of infected. He recommends making a booster when available.
“If you take the booster now, you’ll have a safer summer.”
Hospitals in Ottawa retain the requirement for masks
Although the province has also dropped the requirement for masks in health facilities, Ottawa hospitals are doing what many Ontario hospitals do and adhere to masking requirements.
The provincial mandate for a mask for long-term care and retirement homes remains.
“We must not forget that this is still a pandemic,” Alarcon said. “This pandemic is not over. [We] there is a long way to go. If we don’t work together [pandemic will last] even longer. ”
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