COVID-19: Vaccines
Background
Ottawa Public Health has a new COVID-19 Vaccine page at OttawaPublicHealth.ca/COVID19Vaccine which has information on the situation in Ottawa, how the vaccines work and considerations for residents. The City of Ottawa's COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force continues work on a plan for vaccine distribution in Ottawa: https://ottawa.ca/en/covid-19-vaccine-distribution-faqs.
It will take many months before large amounts of the population are vaccinated. It is important that Ottawans continue to do what works to reduce the spread of the virus: maintain a two-metre distance from others outside their own household, wear a mask, stay home when sick and wash their hands. In Ottawa, a large amount of spread is happening in private social gatherings such as parties and large family get-togethers. Limiting close contacts is very important in reducing the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
All COVID-19 engagement surveys are currently closed. Please check back regularly as we will update this page to seek ongoing feedback as we continue to navigate next steps.
For the latest information on COVID-19 in Ottawa, visit ottawapublichealth.ca/coronavirus. For information about municipal service changes and updates, please visit ottawa.ca/covid19.
Background
Ottawa Public Health has a new COVID-19 Vaccine page at OttawaPublicHealth.ca/COVID19Vaccine which has information on the situation in Ottawa, how the vaccines work and considerations for residents. The City of Ottawa's COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force continues work on a plan for vaccine distribution in Ottawa: https://ottawa.ca/en/covid-19-vaccine-distribution-faqs.
It will take many months before large amounts of the population are vaccinated. It is important that Ottawans continue to do what works to reduce the spread of the virus: maintain a two-metre distance from others outside their own household, wear a mask, stay home when sick and wash their hands. In Ottawa, a large amount of spread is happening in private social gatherings such as parties and large family get-togethers. Limiting close contacts is very important in reducing the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
All COVID-19 engagement surveys are currently closed. Please check back regularly as we will update this page to seek ongoing feedback as we continue to navigate next steps.
For the latest information on COVID-19 in Ottawa, visit ottawapublichealth.ca/coronavirus. For information about municipal service changes and updates, please visit ottawa.ca/covid19.
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COVID safe activities or events
over 2 years agoCLOSED: This brainstormer has concluded.What ideas do you have for COVID safe activities and/or events that can increase residents’ sense of community belonging?
Witlessover 2 years agoDecorate 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.
1 comment2SpeedyVeganover 2 years agoLimerick 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.
0 comment0areau088over 2 years agoFood 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
1 comment1sonja.masonover 2 years agoGrocery 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.
0 comment1RoseMacover 2 years agoDoes 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?
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Innovations in Business
over 2 years agoCLOSED: This idea tool is now closed.Businesses have been working hard to keep up with the required changes to operate safely during COVID-19. What creative solutions have you seen in local businesses to ensure the safety of their staff and customers during the pandemic?
NLeaGPMover 2 years agoSet 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.]
1 comment2LED Ladyover 2 years agoWe 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.
0 comment1Titan_Jenover 2 years agoSmart 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/
0 comment0SheridanAvenueover 2 years agoRemove all the unnecessary C19 measures and let businesses reopen fully. Small business owners should be protesting in the street
The emergency is over.
3 comments2carmen72over 2 years agoShort 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.
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Supporting local businesses
over 2 years agoCLOSED: This idea tool is now closed.Share how you are supporting local businesses during the pandemic?
High Schoolers' Momalmost 3 years agoGoing to local stores, but always wearing a mask
0 comment1JNBover 2 years agoMobile/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
0 comment1JNBover 2 years agoHave a sign in sheet
Have a sign in sheet for contact tracing!
1 comment0Dominiqueover 2 years agoList 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
0 comment1Cheryl Aalmost 3 years agoGetting takeout occasionally, shopping locally for everything that I can
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Testing for COVID-19
over 2 years agoCLOSED: This idea tool is now closed.Do you have any ideas on how Ottawa Public Health can make testing for COVID-19 easier to access?
Dominiqueover 2 years agoDrive 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.
0 comment1JNBover 2 years agoMobile/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.
0 comment0ElizEnviroalmost 3 years agoMobile 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).
0 comment4Citizen M12over 2 years agoNeed 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.
1 comment0Kayak4everalmost 3 years agoJournal 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.
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What are you doing to make physical distancing more manageable? What is helping the most?
over 2 years agoCLOSED: This idea tool is now closed.LJalmost 3 years agoMandatory 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.
0 comment3Mitch.Ninialmost 3 years agoTesting every teacher, student and parent before reopening schools.
Safely reopening schools
1 comment13DKalmost 3 years agoImprove contact tracing and testing. We should allow contact tracing Apps. Payments machines should accept tap for any amounts, no cap.
0 comment0Justyna Garbosalmost 3 years agoProtect 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.
0 comment1Markoalmost 3 years agoAllow 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.
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How have you and your family been keeping busy during COVID-19?
over 2 years agoCLOSED: This idea tool is now closed.Tiff Chantalmost 3 years agoOutdoor time, cooking
we go for walks and bike rides every day and we have been doing a lot of cooking and baking
0 comment1Nik86almost 3 years agoFormal 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 :)
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Who's Listening
Videos
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Click here to play video A Message from Dr. Etches
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Click here to play video Take Care of Your Mental Health We know that practising physical distancing or being in self-isolation aren't easy, and we thank you for all you're doing to help plank the curve. Remember: taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health.