COVID-19: Vaccines

Decorate a neigbours lawn with Christmas ornaments especially for those living alone; shut-in.

Lights and decorations lift everyone's spirits so we could spread joyon our street.

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.

Food festival (poutine fest, hot chocolate fest, chili fest, other winter foods)

Something many local restaurants can partake in to promote local businesses, giving folks a reason to get outside and try different food. Nothing brings people together like food. Vendors and seating would be outdoors of course, hand sanny galore, please provide ALL recyclable or compostable takeaway containers

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.

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?

Set Guidelines for Indoor Humidity Levels in Public and Commercial Buildings

Recent research and evidence suggest that indoor environmental conditions may have a strong impact on the spread of COVID-19. I have heard Ottawa Public Health and Ottawa School Boards discuss the need for increased ventilation as more buildings reopen. However, these discussions seem to overlook the need for humidity control with increased ventilation. With cool outdoor temperatures increased ventilation will result in a significant drying of the indoor air. A recently peer-reviewed published study, An Overview on the Role of Relative Humidity in Airborne Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Indoor Environments, found strong evidence that dry indoor environments can support the spread of COVID-19 (as well as other viral infections). The paper is published in the Aerosol and Air Quality Research journal at the following link: https://aaqr.org/articles/aaqr-20-06-covid-0302 Has Ottawa Public health considered providing guidance on indoor humidity levels in addition to increased ventilation in public buildings? [Disclosure: I am a past chair of ASHRAE Technical Committee 5.11 – Humidifiers, and I am currently employed by an Ottawa based manufacturer of humidification equipment in a technical role, which leads me to review this type of research regularly.]

We need more information regarding the active cases

I saw on the news this morning that 5 employees of a restaurant have tested positive. I assume that in in the food industry gloves and masks are mandatory. So what went wrong? As the manager of a small company with 7 persons, I would like to understand what happened, so that a similar situation does not occur here. Quoting numbers is good, but it's not enough.

Smart phone or not, Covid-19 contact tracing and unprecedented security is available...

Titan Health & Security Technologies (Newport Beach, CA) enables school campuses, stadiums, malls, hotels and other public venues to keep guests/students/workers safe using micro-location beacon technology as well as smart phone technology. For more information, see https://titanhst.com/

Remove all the unnecessary C19 measures and let businesses reopen fully. Small business owners should be protesting in the street

The emergency is over.

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.

Going to local stores, but always wearing a mask

Mobile/accessible covid testing Lincolnfields/Britannia

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. https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/ottawa-acorn-mobile-clinic-brings-covid-tests-to-disabled-disadvantaged?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1594502118

Have a sign in sheet

Have a sign in sheet for contact tracing!

List of local businesses and the service they offer

Encourage buying local and have a list of local businesses on City of Ottawa website or a partner

Getting takeout occasionally, shopping locally for everything that I can

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.

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.

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).

Need many more testing centres

New York state has over 700 testing sites including pharmacies and drive thru sites and they are now testing over 60,000 people a day. Make it more convenient for people and they will get tested. Leave it at 3 sites in the city and you will get less response.

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.

Mandatory mask wearing during COVID-19

Ottawa Public Health has likely read the recent publication by Dr. Kai, et al on the urgent need for universal masking. I implore OPH to consider and implement this very effective and non-invasive approach as part of the Covid-19 control strategy. I am immune compromised and have family members who are also high risk, including a child. All of us practice healthy living and are very cautious to ensure we protect ourselves during the Covid outbreak. This level of caution is likely what life for high risk people will look like for the next 2 years at a minimum. Not easy. I live downtown which means as things open up it is very difficult to find places to walk where all people are diligent about keeping distance or, at least wearing masks. I have tried parks but it is full of people who are very relaxed about the need to practice social distancing. I am not thinking this is all about me, rather I suspect my situation easily represents the challenge that many people are facing. What I am is experiencing is that about 2/3 of people take this seriously and the rest either do not or simply don’t understand what they need to do. This lack of certainty is not helped by the very confusing messages coming from all levels of government about the need to wear masks. It is relayed as a good idea but not essential. Of course masks have limits but people are smart enough to understand this and I would rather have someone come too close with a mask on than without. Sadly, there are also people who very clearly have no interest in putting other’s safety before their own interests. They are the weakest link for our entire community in combating Covid. I would greatly appreciate an indication from you as to whether Ottawa is considering strengthening its guidance on mask wearing. I would also gladly make myself available if you are looking to consult or get input from high risk members of the public in determining how best to support this group. I am retired from a career in public policy and global public health. Unfortunately, there does not seem to be any way to attach the research paper “Universal Masking is Urgent in Covid-19 Pandemic: SEIR and Agent Based Models, Empirical Validation, Policy Recommendations” by Drs Kal, Guy-Philippe Goldstein, Alexey Morgunov, Vishal Nangalia and Anna Rotkirch. I can forward this to you if helpful. With much appreciation for your time and the excellent work you are doing.

Testing every teacher, student and parent before reopening schools.

Safely reopening schools

Improve contact tracing and testing. We should allow contact tracing Apps. Payments machines should accept tap for any amounts, no cap.

Protect seniors

Increase communication of health advice to this vulnerable population and/or enforce mandatory isolation. Provide them with non-surgical masks and do their personal shopping for them. I'm seeing elderly people in stores w/o masks on and shopping in pairs. It seems needlessly risky.

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.

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 :)