Thread by @ottawahealth

HINDSIGHT IS 20/20, BUT 2020 SUCKED

Let's discuss...in 11 tweets

First & foremost: COVID levels in Ottawa are trending at the highest we've seen since this all started. We're now deeply in the Red level. We are once again in a crisis, & we don't use that word lightly. (1/11)

Our local healthcare system is again nearing its capacity. And remember: the people working in these healthcare settings have been at this for 10 long months. They need us as much as we need them.

We must bring this back. There isn't a choice when lives are on the line. (2/11)

The provincial shutdown remains in effect. Whether or not further restrictions are announced tomorrow doesn't change the fact all of us must act NOW. Or, like, 2 weeks ago. But we haven’t mastered time travel. Or edit buttons. Yet.

Do you have plans to gather w/friends (3/11)

or extended family? Please cancel. Say you're washing your hair, or your mask. Watch @SchittsCreek instead.

We know you're tired & many of you are understandably angry. Watching some officials travel while we stayed home was indeed very upsetting. It definitely upset us (4/11)

over here. There are many situations we see happen that we don’t have a lot of control over. But do you know what we can control? Our situation, here, in Ottawa.

We must get tested if we have symptoms or if we’ve been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID. Why? (5/11)

Because “maybe it's just a cold” doesn't apply during a pandemic. And even though our kids are learning from home we must monitor them for symptoms daily (as with ourselves) & we must get them tested as required.

We must limit our contacts. Why? Because each person we see (6/11)

outside our household could increase the spread of COVID. If you love someone, show that love by protecting them.

We must wear masks when in crowded outdoor spaces. Why? Just because transmission is more likely indoors vs outdoors, it still happens outdoors & the risk is (7/11)

even higher when there's crowds, prolonged exposure & forceful exhalation (translation: when we're active & breathe heavily).

COVID loves crowds. Remember that school cluster that started at BBQ? When a 40-person BBQ a park led to 105 high-risk contacts in schools? We do. (8/11)

We mustn't hoard toilet paper. Why? If you actually need 684 rolls/month, then we need to chat about the benefits of a balanced diet.

You can do this. We know you can. Remember back in October? We had the highest cases per capita in Ontario, and we brought that back down. (9/11)

It's time to do it again.

This community is amazing. We actually get teary-eyed when we write these threads, because it makes us look back on how incredible you've been throughout all of this.

Perhaps that's just the lack of sleep, but either way, please know we care. (10/11)

So be wise. Make good choices. Protect each other. Our actions matter.

Hindsight is 2020, but 2020 sucked. Let's make 2021 a year we will one day look back on with pride.

-OPH out. (11/11)