Science Table shows Ontario on the brink of explosive variant spread – not time to lift public health protections

HAMILTON — NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said new data modelling makes it extremely clear that relaxing public health protections to re-open Ontario now will cause the more infectious variants to explode in Ontario, plunging the province into a dangerous third wave.

“It’s clear that Ontario is on the brink. We are at a crossroads. We can save ourselves by continuing public health measures for a little while longer, or we can re-open too soon and allow the variant to take hold and run rampant,” said Horwath.

“There is still time to make a better choice, and save Ontario from another devastating round of illnesses, deaths, closures and lockdowns. I’m urging Doug Ford not to re-open so fast.”

Horwath said Doug Ford has been making the same mistakes again and again, allowing the cycle of sickness and lockdowns.

“He didn’t want to invest in long-term care, so the second wave has been devastating. He didn’t invest in safer schools, so they had to shut down again in the second wave. Let’s call on Doug Ford to choose public health over money this time. Let’s call on Ford to prevent the third wave.

“People deserve hope and help to make this lockdown our last.”