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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, A ug us t 6, 20 20 | 6 ABOUT US This newspaper, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 80 community publications across Ontario. This newspaper is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the news- paper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca newsroom@theifp.ca IndependentAndFreePress @IFP_11 WHO WE ARE Publisher Kelly Montague Regional Managing Editor Catherine O'Hara Managing Editor Karen Miceli Distribution Representative Iouliana Polar Real Estate Kristie Pells Regional Production Manager Manuel Garcia Halton Media General Manager Jason Pehora CONTACT US The Independent & Free Press 280 Guelph Street, Unit 77 Georgetown, ON L7G 4B1 Phone: 905-873-0301 Classifieds: 1-800-263-6480 Fax: 905-873-0398 Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 320 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters. Published letters will appear in print and/or online at theifp.ca Delivery For all delivery inquiries, please e-mail lpolar@miltoncanadianchampion.com or call 905-234-1019. OPINION TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT THEIFP.CA I spoke up for mandato- ry masking. Here's why: COVID-19 remains a global threat. Most who catch it survive. But peo- ple in Halton have died from this disease, as young as 19 and as old as in their 90s. COVID-19 is a new dis- ease. We have no cure, no vaccine. We are learning as we go, but research shows that: 1. This virus spreads quickly within the com- munity. 2. This virus can infect people who show no symp- toms. People know to self- isolate if they get sick. But up to 45 per cent of trans- mission can come from people who don't look or feel sick. 3. This virus spreads through respiratory drop- lets, not just from sneezing and coughing, but from speaking, singing and laughing. People worry that masks aren't safe. Doctors, nurses, paramedics and other health-care workers routinely wear masks. Masks do not cause lack of oxygenation, carbon diox- ide buildup or lung infec- tions. But they may cause a bit of claustrophobia or a dry throat. Masks can stop any- where from 50 to 95 per cent of respiratory drop- lets, depending on how they're made. Well over a hundred studies have ar- rived at the same conclu- sion: interventions like so- cial distancing, strict hand washing, testing and contact tracing, isolating the sick, strict disinfec- tion protocols, school clo- sures and also mandatory masking, all reduce illness and death from COVID-19. Countries that have adopt- ed mandatory masking have dropped rates of viral spread to less than 10 per cent. In contrast, coun- tries that have not face vi- ral spread rates of 50 per cent or more. Masks act as a beha- vioural nudge. They re- mind people that the pan- demic is ongoing. They are associated with increased compliance with physical distancing. But it takes time to learn how to use a mask. Now is a good time to start, while things are calm. COVID-19 is here to stay. We cannot remain in lock- down. We must learn to live and work with the vi- rus present. We do so much to keep one another safe: bike helmets, stop- ping at crosswalks, wear- ing seatbelts, wearing con- doms, getting vaccines, etc. Mandatory masking is another. Nadia Alam is a Halton physician and past presi- dent of the Ontario Med- ical Association. Her col- umns also appear on www.drnadiaalam.com. She can be reached through her website. WHY WE MUST WEAR MASKS COVERING FACE IN PUBLIC INDOOR SPACES AN EFFECTIVE AND PROVEN WEAPON IN FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19, WRITES DR. NADIA ALAM Over the past several months, Halton residents have done an incredible job flattening the curve by fol- lowing public health ad- vice. Your actions have pro- duced the results we are seeing today, such as lower daily cases, sustained hos- pital capacity and the abil- ity to reopen parts of our economy and community. These good results have allowed us to keep moving forward. On Friday, July 24, Halton entered Stage 3 of the province's reopening plan with nearly all busi- nesses and public spaces able to reopen. This also in- cluded an increase to the size of both outdoor and in- door social gatherings. Like many of you, I am looking forward to seeing more friends and family and enjoying more activi- ties in our community. PROTECTING THE PROGRESS WE'VE MADE In addition to the transi- tion to Stage 3, on July 22, regional bylaw 47-20 took effect, making it mandato- ry to wear a mask or face covering in certain indoor public places to make sure we are reopening safely. There are some individuals who are exempt from wear- ing mask and I want to re- mind residents that not all exemptions are visible, so please be kind and support each other. SUPPORTS FOR BUSINESS OWNERS AND OPERATORS Every step of the way, our Small Business Centre has been helping business- es navigate reopening and adjusting to the new nor- mal. Our team of business consultants are also here to support business owners and operators as they pre- pare their establishments and policies for the bylaw. Please reach out to our knowledgeable and friend- ly team if you need any help. Thank you again to ev- eryone for doing your part to protect each other. To learn more about what has reopened, what remains closed and the mandatory mask bylaw, visit our Reopening Halton Region webpage. As al- ways, please continue to visit halton.ca/COVID19 for the latest information on COVID-19 in our com- munity. Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr can be reached at gary.carr@halton.ca. REOPENING OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR ECONOMY SAFELY LET'S CONTINUE TO BE VIGILANT AND DO OUR PART TO KEEP EACH OTHER SAFE, WRITES GARY CARR GARY CARR Column NADIA ALAM Column