1/ I know people are very nervous about the COVID situation — I am too— but please don’t wait for government to tell you to do the right thing. In addition to the stuff you’ve been doing — was your hands, wear a mask, keep distance, get a flu shot — it’s time to do more.
2/ Now it’s time to collapse your bubbles and restrict your contacts. Make decisions with a lens of safety — can I delay this activity? Can I do it in a safer way? Stay home as much as you are able, to protect those who cannot.
3/ and support local business in whatever way you can. If you have the means, get in your Christmas shopping now, using curbside pickup and delivery from local stores where you can. Let’s help local business get through this too. Share and promote your favourites using #loveyyc
4/ And always, always be kind. We share in the grief of loss of 20 Albertans today — family members, friends, neighbours, loved ones. And we resolve to keep ourselves and others safe. Clean Hands. Clear Heads. Open Hearts.
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Today, City Council took the necessary step to mandate the wearing of masks inside all public space as of August 1. This wasn’t an easy decision; when our Council meeting started on Monday, we were only going to be making this mandate on Transit.
But after an amazing presentation by Dr. Raj Bhardwaj coupled with the doubling of our active cases over the past week, 12 members of your City Council were convinced.
We’re doing this for a lot of reasons.
Firstly, we’re doing this to ensure public safety. Wearing a mask won’t protect you as the wearer, but it will protect others from you. And when we create that phalanx, together, we’re all keeping each other safe, and that improves our strength and resiliency.
Like many of you, I have been profoundly disturbed by, well, everything this past week. We’ve been reminded of the reality of racism, here and everywhere. Divisions have been laid bare and there’s no clear way forward. I’m reminded of Langston Hughes’ famous poem, Harlem.
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore—
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over—
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
I’ve spent much of my life fighting for human rights. I’ve worked within the system, and even got elected to office. I’ve also organized and participated in many peaceful protests. I’ve tried to ease that heavy load. But I don’t have all the answers.
The City of Calgary has been working extremely diligently with our partners at Alberta Health Services to monitor and prepare for the impacts of this virus.
I've been focusing on three basic principles. Clean hands, clear heads, open hearts
Clean hands is obvious. Wash (sing Happy Birthday twice, or a song of your choice!) and sanitize regularly, don't shake hands...
...(elbow touches if you're wearing long sleeves, or a nice namaste or even foot-fives will do, and will help you remind others of the importance of hand hygiene), and try not to touch your face. Cover your cough in your elbow. Clean surfaces that you touch regularly.