Thread by @MaritStiles

It's true.
Tues night walking home from the Legislature, I happened to check the app (for some reason I didn't receive a notification) & there was the notice. It looks like this 👇

Btw I have no symptoms
(thread)
#onpoli #onted #davenportTO

https://twitter.com/DavidHains/status/1311090422366851073

The App informed me I needed to be tested for #COVID19, then isolate until I receive results.

So I checked different options & had a plan to get tested on Wednesday AM.

I’ve been tested before – when a friend tested positive. I waited 1 hour in line, 24 hours later had results

These days, we have been tracking the waiting lines so I knew it would be a different story.

Many of the assessment centres are now appointment only. I tried Mt Sinai, Western & Women’s College. All were booked up for next few days, and online booking was closed. #onpoli

Wednesday morning I got up super early, tried online booking again. No openings. Headed out very early for Mount Sinai. The line was already doubled up, down University Ave and wrapped around to Elm St.

A nurse – with security in tow – slowly worked her way down the line assessing everyone for eligibility. You can find the criteria here👇A few had to leave, some were irate, most just disappointed. The nurse suggested finding a pharmacy but didn’t know which were open for tests

After a few hours the line was cut off... before me. Some stayed to see if they might slip in. I got online. A friend suggested there were pop up assessment centres that had much shorter lines.

Went home, grabbed car & headed to Scarborough.
#onpoli #covid19

This is where I need to pause and acknowledge my privilege:

➡️I can take the day off without penalty
➡️I have a car I can use to avoid contact with folks on public transit
➡️I don’t have to worry about childcare or school pick up as my youngest is now a teen.

I arrived around 10AM. Found the line quite short but clinic not open till noon. Joined line, sat on a curb, settled in & checked my email.

Alongside me: homecare & LTC workers, a couple travelling abroad, several families with small children dealing with classroom outbreaks.

The line was in a wind tunnel. I was dressed warmly but it was freezing… we took turns allowing older folks to leave the line to warm up inside a building. We jumped around. Everyone was incredibly patient.

I mean, what choice do we have anyway? tis the season for layers.

Around noon a nurse emerged to start assessing folks for eligibility. Again, some people were asked to leave – like the woman who works at Staples.

Her boss told her everyone needed tests to go to work. She has no symptoms. She’s out of luck.

The nurse left & returned again, this time with saliva tests.

He couldn’t explain why, but today we were going to do both nasal and saliva tests.

I am ridiculously excited these days about things like saliva tests!🥳

#covid19 #onpoli

The nurse distributed vials & swabs to everyone in the line, with small printed instructions. English only.

The test was fast & so much easier than nasal swab. But many people in the line struggled with the instructions and needed some assistance figuring it out.

#salivatest

About an hour later I was inside, dropped off saliva test (here's mine) & then had nasal swab.

It’s not my first time. It tickles, uncomfortable. My sister found it very painful, but she has the ‘Stiles nose’. I have never been so pleased to have such an unremarkable nose.

By the time I left, the line was much longer. I spoke with a few people who had been there the day before... I suspect some of those lined up never got in that day. A cold and dreary day to be lined up. What will it be like by end of October? November?

#COVID19 #onpoli #onted

As I returned to my home, to catch up on work & thaw out, my attention shifted to the outbreak in a for-profit LTC home in my riding.

29 infected, one dead. No comprehensive inspection in two years. Devastating for the families & staff. Reminded again how Ford has let us down.

I’ve been reflecting on all this. I’m fortunate enough to be able to work from home, but so many of you can’t.

We need #PaidSickDays. Support for workers. Now more than ever. And especially as we are hit by this 2nd wave.

I don’t feel sick but I’m nervous about my partner or youngest daughter, who is a teenager, getting sick.

Mostly, I’m deeply sad to have to close our bubble & not see my parents, sister, family anytime soon. I think everyone can relate to that.

I have so much appreciation for healthcare workers, working around the clock.

Lab techs, nurses, PSWs, hospital admin, Drs.

I felt reassured after speaking with them. They need our support. They need the gov't to listen to them. #onpoli #onthealth #covid19

As an MPP I know that @fordnation’s lack of a real plan is irresponsible.

As a mom I find it infuriating.

Ontarians deserve better.

We need a gov’t that is accountable & owns up to its mistakes.

Not one that reacts, late & pats its own back

#onpoli #onted #covid19

I’m told I can expect to wait 4-7 days for test results.

Meanwhile, I am thankful for my ability to work from home to support my community. And grateful to my Official Opposition colleagues who keep raising these issues & fighting for Ontario.

#onpoli

Stay safe everyone. Download the app.

Keep fighting for:
Classroom caps
1000s more FT PSWs, w raises
Infection control specialists in LTC
Full inspections for LTC
Paid sick days
Direct relief & protection for small biz
An actual plan to continue surgeries/procedures
and more.