In light of the current COVID-19 status in Chatham-Kent, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent would like to reiterate its support of the control measures Public Health has put in place, including those in the most recent Letter of Instruction.
The Municipality stands with CK Public Health and applauds their efforts to halt the spread of the COVID-19 virus within the community and protect the healthcare system, Municipal officials said in a media release.
In reflection, and following the spirit of the expert guidance provided by Chatham-Kent’s Medical Officer of Health, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent is cancelling all planned indoor holiday events and proceedings for this season.
“There are ways to gather and celebrate safely this Holiday season,” stated Don Shropshire, CAO for The Municipality of Chatham-Kent, in a media release.
“Given the recent increase in the number of COVID-19 cases some adjustments have to be made to limit the risk of further spread and causing additional strain on our healthcare systems.”
In recent days, CK Public Health staff have been on the receiving end of various forms of mistreatment by a small group of Chatham-Kent residents who are not in agreement with public health measures that protect the health and wellbeing of the community.
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent publicly denounces such behaviour.
“It has been a long and difficult couple of years for all Chatham-Kent residents,” stated Mayor Darrin Canniff, in a media release.
“Our local health unit staff are at unprecedented levels of exhaustion, fatigue, and frustration. They too have experienced the toll that COVID-19 has played in their lives both professionally and personally. While many residents are having to modify their holiday parties and gatherings, many health unit staff will again be absent at dinners with their own families this holiday.”
The Chatham-Kent Board of Health stands behind CK Public Health and urges the public to re-evaluate where they are focusing their energy.
“Bullying, harassment, and disrespectful behaviour directed to the very people working to protect our community is unconscionable,” stated Joe Faas, Chair of the Chatham-Kent Board of Health, in a media release.
“We need to fight this pandemic virus, not the people dedicated to helping us do so.”
