5 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,M ay 7,2020 theifp.ca Visit ontario.ca/coronavirus Paid for by the Government of Ontario 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) To Ontario's Essential Workers, Thank You To everyone else, please stay home, stay strong, save lives. On behalf of everyone in the province, the Ontario government would like to thank the heroes who go to work each day to keep our essential services and businesses available during the COVID-19 outbreak. From the doctors, nurses, paramedics, personal support workers and pharmacists who are caring and providing for our sick; to the police and firefighters who are keeping us safe; to the farmers, food processors, truck drivers and grocery store staff who are keeping food on our tables -- thank you! To those who are keeping our lights on, keeping our water safe, keeping our hospitals, stores and facilities clean, and to those keeping our buses and trains operating -- thank you! You make us proud. Our essential workers show the Ontario spirit with their courage, compassion, and generosity. You step up every day to ensure individuals, families and seniors have what they need to stay safe and healthy. And to everyone else who is staying home and practicing physical distancing -- thank you! You are truly making a difference in our fight against COVID-19. We know being isolated from family, friends and neighbours is not easy, but it is absolutely necessary to save lives and beat this terrible virus. We encourage people to stay connected by phone, email or through virtual get-togethers. Staying connected and supporting each other is critically important. We also want to remind people to only go out if absolutely necessary to pick up groceries, a prescription or to go to a medical appointment. Together, we will beat COVID-19, but it will take your determination and cooperation. Physical distancing and hand washing are working, but we must keep going. The price we pay for not staying at home and following the advice of themedical experts is a matter of life and death. Your Ontario government thanks everyone for doing the right thing. Stay home. Stay strong. Save lives.