Mayor Says Closing City Facilities A Precautionary Measure
By Robert Thomas
Get the facts and do not rely upon rumours and opinion when it comes to Novel Coronavirus Covid – 19 that is the word from Mayor Fraser Tolmie.
Despite closing City Hall and other city facilities Mayor Tolmie said residents should not panic because the measures are 100 percent precautionary and there has been no outbreak of Covid – 19 in the city.
“The City has taken precautions for the community's sake,” Mayor Tolmie said, adding the measures were taken to “overcome the issue as quickly as possible.”
The Mayor said citizens should not panic because what the City has done is precautionary only and part of the effort to minimize the effects of Covid – 19.
“It’s a precautionary measure and should not be seen as panic,” he said. “Through our measures (to help) keep the bell curve low.”
Flattening the Curve means spreading the number of cases over time so as not to overwhelm the health care system - graphic used by permission
Flattening the Curve means spreading the number of cases over time so as not to overwhelm the health care system. Preventative measures are key to keeping the rate low and the curve low as well.
Health experts have said there are various measures which can keep the rate of people who contract Covid – 19 low.
Those measures include frequent handwashing for 20 seconds with soap and water, not touching your face especially the nose and eye areas without first washing your hands, cough into your elbow, practice social distancing (stay six feet away from other people) and stay home if you are sick.
Closing City facilities to the public helps ensure a lower rate of transmission because it helps with social distancing and the potential to not get ill.
For people worried about paying their bills the City offers several different means to do so.
Many of the means are electronic and the City recently made it possible to pay many bills and fees by credit card.
If a person wishes to pay by cheque they may do so through the mail slot in the front of City Hall – the City advises do not pay by cash using this method.
Mayor Tolmie said despite the dynamic situation that Moose Jaw as a whole, like Canadian people, “are stronger when we are together.” And as such residents will come out of this faster and better through collectively working together.
Despite the closures of City facilities the services the City provides will continue.
Asked regarding people paying water bills if they were to lose their employment, Mayor Tolmie said that is an issue Council has yet to decide.
Recycling and garbage collection are two services which are not affeced by the facility closures - MJ Independent file photo
”We will cross that bridge after Council discusses it.”
Council has a scheduled Strategic Planning Session this evening where they will discuss Covid – 19 amongst other issues such as whether or not to temporarily suspend Council meetings.
He noted the City of Regina has temporarily suspended their council meetings for a month but nothing had been decided here as of yet. But they would make the public aware of any decisions.
The Mayor wanted people to know there are daily meetings with the Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) but they are precautionary in nature and allow the City to stay on top of the issue.
“We have an EMO meeting daily and updating the situation the best we can.”
The Mayor advise people to follow the recommended procedures to prevent illness and “maintain normality as the best you can...there is a new norm with this.” A major part an ordinary citizen can do is to help prevent panic and to rely upon reliable, factual as well as accurate information. He advised people to rely upon the Province as their source.
The Province has a site for Covid – 19 information which can be accessed by clicking here.