COVID-19: Vaccines

Limerick contest

Limericks are an accessible form of poetry, and often humorous. I think a contest would get people focusing on something lighthearted during the dark days of winter. You would have to have some rules (nothing lewd, for example), and you could have one per month. Have a suggested $1 donation for each entry, with money going to a business relief fund or the food bank. The best limerick could be rewarded with being published in the councilors' newsletters and perhaps also receive a gift certificate for something like a massage therapy treatment, to ward of the winter blahs.

Does self-isolating 2 weeks before Xmas lower the risk sufficiently for family members to gather Dec 25, in groups of less than 10?

For those who are able to do so, does (totally) self-isolating for two weeks leading up to Christmas lower the risk of family members getting together on December 25th, keeping the number of people below 10 and confirming that all the members have isolated?

There is a persistent myth that being outdoors does not require mask-wearing, regardless of how much distance between people.

Because of these prevalent ambiguities, is it not time to issue a Mandatory Mask requirement whenever people are outside their homes? I believe so.

Grocery store employees should be on the priority list for Covid vaccine, once it is available.

They have worked on the front lines, dealing with vast quantities of people (possibly infected), every day since the beginning of this crises. This would simultaneously reward them, and keep them safe, so that they can continue to provide food for the community, which is an indispensable service to all of us.

Public message about spitting

It seems to me that spitting is probably a very ‘transmittable’ behavior in these COVID days…. I do lots of activities that people seem to think it is a normal thing to spit (ie cross country skiing, running, waiting at the bus stop)…lift your face mask and spit without thinking twice about it. I think it would be a very good public message to says spitting is unnecessarily risky to others around you….

Winter Strategy for Ottawa

this article offers excellent ideas to engage business, public and artists to create safe and inviting outdoor spaces for the winter. City of Edmonton has a great guide for winterizing outdoor parties with great suggestions (some of which businesses may be able to implement) https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-11/how-to-prepare-for-a-coronavirus-winter + https://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/documents/PDF/all-season-patio-design-tips.pdf

Require Bars to Keep Their Music Volume Low

With loud music, people lean in & shout into each other's faces, and sing along. All these are risky behaviours that are probably enhanced after a couple of drinks.

Short unannounced checks

Have unscheduled checks of business, staffed venues and places of worship to make sure protocols to prevention the spread of the virus are being consistently followed.

Manitoba Makes Ottawans Isolate 14 Days

We should protest to Manitoba Public Health. Our Ottawa Covid case numbers are better than western provinces which do not have to isolate. I have kept a frequent part-time apt. in Winnipeg to serve my clients, clubs & Winnipeg's many attractions. Can your offices try to impress the mutual benefit of allowing federal, technical, financial professionals & families from Ottawa into Manitoba even for 4 or 5 days while being Covid tested? I have not been to my other home, where I lived for 29 years before moving mainly to Ottawa in 2006, for 6 months. My 2 Covid tests on 16th May & this week are negative. Thanks in (p)anticipation, Denzil

Encourage people to not eat meals with others outside their bubble

Hearing about the reported BBQ that caused an outbreak. Chances are that the infections were caused by sharing food and/or eating in close proximity. All other suggestions are good (distancing, hygiene) Masks definitely work, BUT are not a 100%. They should be promoted like sunscreen, you definitely need to put some on, but you still might be burnt, maybe not as bad. I feel too many people think a mask provides 100% immunity, we need to be clear on the effectiveness.

Wearing a mask to enter a business! I protect you/you protect me!

Ask grocery stores and drug stores to put in place web cams on-line so we can see if the store is too busy to go to from our smartphones etc

Going to local stores, but always wearing a mask

Spotlights on local businesses.

Ordering Online from Amazon is an easy way out during Pandemic. We need more ways to emphasize that local businesses DO have products we need.

I am claustrophobic and I cannot wear anything on my face, without triggering panic attacks. I am worried. I won't be able to wear a mask.

I am afraid of retaliation from the people around me , when they see me without a mask. So, to avoid this problem maybe the government could create a bracelet that would be used by the people who are exempted from wearing the mask. This way, no words would need to explain my lack of compliance with the law. We are living in a very weird moment in our society, where small situations generate verbal and physical violence. That is what I am trying to avoid. Bracelet for the people exempted from wearing a mask. Thanks. Patricia

Mobile testing units

Vehicles such as ambulance or bus that visit different neighbourhoods so folks can get tested without having to travel. Well-publicized details. Safely reaching testing centres for those without personal vehicles nearly impossible unless in walking distance (following advice against public transit, taxis, ride-hailing, contact with friends/family while sick).

Make the link to testing areas prominent on the City's homepage. Make the test facilities reflect the huge size of this city.

Make the hours of operation customer based, not staff based. I gave up and went to Winchester which was efficient and effective.

Journal of who I met (in case I need to provide contact info for tracing)

I keep an excel spreadsheet of who i met for more than 5 minutes, where i went at when, with addresses and tele #. Others keep an envelope of receipts to track actions or write on calendars. Be ready to make contact tracer's job easier.

Mobile/Accessible covid testing in Lincolnfields area!

Please do this in Lincolnfields area! Parking lot behind Metro at Lincolnfields Shopping Centre or Park behind Regina Alternative School. It’s Centrally located to Woodpark, Lincolnheights and Britannia.

Drive through testing and mobile testing units.

People that don't want to go to the assessment center due to fear of getting Covid there waiting with people that could have COVID would feel more comfortable in their cars.

Allow restaurants that don’t usaully have a patio to create outdoor spaces using their parking lots.

Allow restaurants that don’t usaully have a patio to create outdoor spaces using their parking lots.

Set (and enforce) public health standards in commercial buildings

One of the key takeaways from this pandemic is that one should stay home if one is sick, to prevent spreading the illness to others. However, when I read a story such as this one on Reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/ottawa/comments/gdwop0/first_day_back_at_work/) - where the boss at a dealership shows up with cough/flu symptoms when some restrictions are about to be lifted - whether this story is true or not, I realize that it might not be so easy. I'm not sure if in this case, it's a question of changing labour laws or public health standards, and if it's a question of provincial or municipal jurisdiction...but people should avoid going to work if they're sick, or be forced to wear masks if they need to show up to work. Could some sort of public health inspection be implemented to ensure that commercial buildings are safe for employees and customers?

Please make mask wearing mandatory during COVID-19

Universal mask wearing has proven results and will allow us to get to a new normal more quickly and safely

Allow virtual versions of festivals

Allow virtual of versions of festivals (have their food available for pick up or delivery). Examples greekfest,carribean fest, rib fest)

Shopping safety.

After seeing what a zoo it was in the grocery store, following directional arrows and social distancing should be enforced. Stores should require masks and supply gloves to be worn while shopping and discarded on exiting.

Outdoor time, cooking

we go for walks and bike rides every day and we have been doing a lot of cooking and baking

Formal Fridays

Sometimes my husband and I will dress up a little on Friday evenings and order take out or delivery from a local restaurant and play board games - gives us something to look forward to each week :)