Video: artikle: https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news...
Amanda Pfeffer
(Provided by Global News)
Millions of Ontarians over the age of 70, as well as people with underlying health conditions, are bracing for a much longer period of self-isolation, even as the rest of the province begins its first phase of reopening this week.
"Public Health did say stay home and stay indoors, so we took that seriously," said Roger Johnson, a 69-year-old in Ottawa taking care of his 78-year-old partner Matt Hughes, who has early signs of dementia. "Our world is much smaller."
Hughes hasn't left the home since March. The same is true of all the couple's friends in the same age group. They are among millions of seniors in Ontario over the age of 70 who have been cautioned that the risks associated with the coronavirus remain high.
(Photo by Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto via Getty Images) © Creative Touch Imaging Ltd/NurPhoto (Photo by Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto via Getty Images)
"I call those people every day," said Johnson. "A lot of seniors, they don't have a balcony to go out on. They live in small apartments."
John says he'll continue to check in on his friends six months from now if necessary.
Doug Ford, Ontairo's premier, suggested in April some members of the population may have to self-isolate until a vaccine is found.
But last week, Barbara Yaffe, the province's associate chief medical officer of health, offered better prospects.
"I don't think it's realistic to think that they will have to stay home for all that time — I don't think people would want to do that." said Yaffe. "I do think people who have underlying health conditions — particularly immunocompromised people — will have to take special care."
That "special care" includes maintaining physical distance, wearing a mask and keeping close tabs on their health, she said.
'Trying to calibrate' risk.....
Video: artikle: https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news...
