April 5 2020
The Deputy Mayor's Exchange
The Continuing COVID Crisis

While it's almost upon us, I would like to respectfully wish people a Happy Easter and Passover.

Please continue to be aware of scammers and fraudsters as they are out there preying on the unsuspecting.

If you think a store is open that shouldn't be, or people are gathering inappropriately, call or email in your concern to YRP.ca/ReportIt or 1.866 876.5423.
Be aware of the YRT and GO transit changes listed below. The service reduction is due to lower ridership.

Stay safe, stay healthy.

The Retail Council of Canada is sharing this important information with all Canadians and has launched its Shop Smart campaign. It explains the precautions and guidelines grocery and drugstore shoppers should follow during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep everyone safe.
In this issue
- Shop Smart Campaign
- Reliable Sources of Information
- Enforcing COVID Measures
- City COVID Update
- Update from MSH
- YR COVID Update
- Business Support Webinars
- Ways to Use MPL at Home
- City Cancels Spring Programs
- Math Behind Physical Distancing
- Keeping Markham Safe
- Self Isolation Shelter
- GO Transit Changes
- YRT Changes
- YR Forest Closed
- Don't Litter
- Emergency Child Care
- Anxious or Overwhelmed?
- Good Food Box
- Distancing Not Total Isolation
- York Region Update
- Community Meetings and Events
- Q & A - Parks
Please forward this update to anyone that may find it of interest.
Looking for more information?

Any of the blue text, blue buttons and most of the graphics have links to further detail.
Click here to read the previous edition of The Deputy Mayor's Exchange.
Reliable Sources of Information About COVID-19

There are three COVID-19 assessment centres in York Region located at Mackenzie Health ,  Markham Stouffville Hospital and Southlake Regional Health Centre. Each York Region hospital manages their assessment centre based on their operational capacity. Check your local hospital’s website for specific hours of operation and procedures.

If you have any questions related to the Federal or Provincial issues, please contact your local Member of Parliament or Member of Provincial Parliament. 

The primary responsibility for enforcement of emergency measures enacted by the Province falls to York Regional Police. If you see a violation of the emergency measures, you should call the YRP non-emergency line at 1.866.876.5423 or report it online at yrp.ca/ReportIt. Do not call 911.

Please note that despite the rumours on social media YRP is not issuing tickets under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act when there are two people in a car. Please do your best to maintain physical distance and appropriate protection to limit the chance of spreading COVID-19.

Also, I urge every resident who feels that a business is "price gouging" to  report   it to the Province as they will be clamping down on this despicable practice. Stiff penalties for those found guilty have been established. Make a report  here .

Council and City staff remain committed to providing essential services that maintain public safety in our community. Council continues to meet on a virtual basis to discuss the COVID-19 crisis and ongoing City business.

Residents are encouraged to use our online services or the Contact Centre at 905-477-5530 or by  email or via web chat at  markham.ca.
 
View a complete list of the City services being offered during the COVID-19 outbreak at  markham.ca/covid19 .

There are a number of new updates that have been added to the City's COVID-19 site this week. Have a look .

Get the latest MSH COVID-19 information and updates here .

The COVID-19 Assessment Centre at Markham Stouffville Hospital is open for walk-ins only and will not take appointments or phone calls.

Thornhill residents may find the COVID-19 Assessment Centre at Mackenzie Health in Richmond Hill more convenient and assessments are by appointment.

Every day, there seems to be an overwhelming amount of new information about COVID-19. Up to date local information can be found here .
This COVID-19 themed collage was created by local artist Judy Livingston.

from York Link - York Region Economic Development

Looking for COVID-19 business support webinars ? York Link has set up a calendar with daily events from trusted sources. Details here .

There are a number of other resources available on the York Link site.

Markham Public Library (MPL) is doing their best to support you and your family in this challenging time.
  • Book a Librarian - Book a librarian from MPL and get 30-minutes of virtual one-on-one assistance on topics such as job search assistance, researching for a paper, homework help, navigating e-resources, and more. 
  • Ask MPL - Get virtual reference and support service through our LIVE CHAT for tech troubleshooting, navigating e-resources, reader’s advisory, managing your account, general questions, and more.
There is an abundance of things to read, listen to, watch and learn from the comfort of your home.  MPL from home
Join MPL for Circle Time Live on Facebook. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10am, join MPL for virtual circle time on Facebook live. T une in and invite your friends to enjoy an interactive session of circle time with songs, rhymes, finger play and stories. Other events happening this week can be found here .

From eBooks to movies and online courses, the Library has a lot of resources even when you can't get to the library branches. As a reminder, all Markham Public Library branches are closed until further notice. Items that have due dates during the closure have been extended and will not accumulate fines.

The City has made the decision to cancel all Spring recreation, culture and library drop-in and registered programs and extend the closure of all City of Markham facilities. 

This decision was made following the guidance of the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada and the Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health to help break the chain of transmission of COVID-19. The City is determined to reinstate our regular programs and services to the public as soon as conditions permit.
 
Spring program registrations and facility bookings will be cancelled. Sportsfield permits through to June 1 have been suspended. Refunds or credits will be issued accordingly.
 
To help support our community during this challenging and unprecedented time, the City of Markham will be offering a variety of online programming for free to all residents – helping support their physical, mental and emotional well-being while practicing physical distancing. Online programming will be updated regularly.
 
We all have a role to play in helping flatten the curve of COVID-19. Please do your part and avoid all non-essential activities in the community.

Closure of playgrounds and park amenities have been included in the Provincial Emergency Orders and any person violating the order can be fined. The maximum penalty is $100,000. Do not use the following park amenities: playgrounds and outdoor exercise equipment, sportsfields, basketball and tennis courts, off-leash dog parks, benches, skateboard and BMX parks, picnic areas and community gardens.

The COVID-19 impact may well last throughout the coming months. The City of Markham will continue to work with all levels of government, our community and local businesses during these unprecedented times.
  
For more information and updates about COVID-19 and affected City services, visit  markham.ca/covid19 .

This article suggestion which is found at the Visual Capitalist was sent to me by a DME reader. Thanks for the info Andy L!

Here are 3 pictures that help to explain the impact of physical distancing.

The effect one infected person (carrier) can have in 30 days with no physical distancing. Yes, you are reading that correctly - 406 infected people in 30 days from one person.
This is the same 30 day period if the infected person reduces contacts by 50%. This same person would infect 15 people which certainly would reduce the health care impact.
Here's the same picture but contacts are reduced by 75% where the impact is down to 2.5 people infected. It certainly helps to illustrate how important it is to stay home and listen to the advice of health authorities. Remember Stay home! Stay safe!

from the desk of Fire Chief Dave Decker

As the COVID-19 situation evolves, all residents must continue to do their part to stop the spread by staying home during these challenging times. With adults and children at home more often, it is especially important to remind residents of what they can do to be fire safe at home. It is in the home where the most amount of fires occur within our community.
Even when residents are typically out at school or work during the day, we see fires most frequently occur in the evening hours and in the family home. Careless cooking is the leading known cause of these fires within the City of Markham. We refer to them as “Careless” as it the human element that leads to the fire condition rather than an issue with the types of food or appliances being used. This explains why a fire is most likely to occur when you are at home.
These careless cooking fires most frequently relate to the stove. The majority of them occur on the stove top itself, but they also occur within the oven. Often these fires start because: the resident has forgotten they were cooking, become distracted, or fallen asleep. The single thing that each resident can do to drastically reduce the threat of fire in the City of Markham, is to stay in the kitchen while they cook and avoid distractions.

York Region is taking a proactive approach in responding to potential cases of COVID-19 among people who are experiencing homelessness in our community by opening a new self-isolation shelter. More information

Metrolinx will be making additional reductions in their schedule due to the impact of COVID-19. The reduced services are in line with significant decrease in ridership as they are seeing a passenger reductions in the 90% range.

Starting April 8, all GO train lines will continue to operate with reduced frequency. GO bus service will also be adjusted. Revised GO schedules are available here: 
 
Rail service will run every 60-90 minutes at times of day each line generally has service. Bus service will also be reduced and adjusted to align with train service.

York Region Transit (YRT) will implement service changes to better match current traveller demand. These changes are required to address reduced ridership due to COVID-19. More information  
 
YRT is doing its part to ensure travellers, bus drivers and staff are as safe as possible while using the system. 
  • Travellers are only allowed to board from the middle and rear doors of the bus, and are required to pay their fare, where possible, before boarding
  • Buses will only run at half-full, seated; this is being closely monitored by the bus driver and staff in the Control Centre; additional buses are added to routes as required
  • Buses, terminals and stations are being cleaned and disinfected
  • Travellers are encouraged to carry their own personal disinfectant, such as hand sanitizer or wipes, and wash their hands often

As part the continued response to the COVID-19 pandemic and reducing the risk of infection, the  York Regional Forest  and its 21 forest tracts covering 2,300 hectares of land are closed to the public until further notice, effective immediately.

We all have a responsibility to keep our environment clean and safe for everyone. I continue to see garbage, especially masks and gloves, dumped on streets, parking lots, sidewalks and in the parks. It is everyone's responsibility to dispose of their garbage and recycling correctly. Public parks and public garbage cans are not for household waste. Let’s work together to break the chain of transmission a nd reduce potential risks and further spread of COVID-19. 

Do Not Litter
  • When you’re out in the community, please be respectful of others and do not litter. Place in a trash can or take home with you to go in your own garbage. 
  • Littering any material on the ground is unacceptable and poses a risk to you, essential workers and the environment. 
  • Litter clean up in these unprecedented times should be done with caution. If you choose to pick up litter, especially these items, please wear puncture proof gloves and immediately wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if you can’t wash right away. 

Handle waste properly in your home
  • Throw your used tissues, latex gloves and masks in a wastebasket lined with a plastic bag. Do not place these items in with your blue box or green bin.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water after throwing those items away as well as after emptying your waste basket
  • Tie all your waste bags securely and put out with your regular trash

If you have tested positive or suspect you might have COVID-19
  • Place all disposable items that have come into contact with your mouth, nose or eyes into the garbage – this includes recyclables such as plastic water bottles, pop cans or milk cartons, or compostables such as facial tissue or paper napkins 

When setting your waste out at the curb on collection day please ensure all garbage and green bin materials are bagged and tied securely for the health and safety of your collection workers. If loose materials are in your garbage cans or green bins the bins may be left behind. 

Home is best, but did you know that eligible health care and other frontline workers can apply for emergency child care services for their child(ren) during the C OVID-19 pandemic? More information will be available at york.ca/covid19 on Monday April 6.

Mental health support is available

The outbreak of COVID-19 may be stressful for people and communities.

It’s normal for situations like this to affect your mental health and it’s completely OK to ask for help .

If you need support, connect with family or friends or reach out to York Support at 1.855.310.COPE.
While you’re practising physical distancing, don’t forget to take time away from the news, your work or studies to just breathe and focus on things you are grateful for. It’s important to take care of yourself.
Children and youth 18 and under who need to talk to someone about their Mental Health concerns can call the Kids Help Phone 1.800.668.6868 for 24/7 virtual phone and text support.

Looking for an easy way to access fresh local produce? The York Region Food Network continues to offer their Good Food Box program. The boxes are jam-packed with local, seasonal fruits and veggies. Order by April 8 ($16) and pick-up on April 15. More information is available here .

Details on York Region emergency food resources are also available on their site.


Doing your part to flatten the curve by practicing physical distancing and staying home doesn’t have to mean falling out of touch with family and friends. While COVID-19 has temporarily interrupted the social routine many of us are used to, now is the perfect opportunity to get creative and continue fostering personal interactions. If you are missing your family and friends, here are some ideas to make your isolation a little less lonely.

  • Video chat - A simple online search for video chat will produce an array of options and apps that will allow you to have face time with your family members and friends in real time, almost as if they were standing right beside you. A video chat can be used to do anything you are used to doing with each other in person including eating meals together, dinner parties with friends, coffee dates, reading stories to loved ones, dance parties, children’s play dates. The only limitation is your own imagination.
  • Pick up the phone - Sure, physical distancing means you can’t sit side-by-side with your best friend and watch your favourite television show but there is no reason you can’t call them while in your pajamas and munching on a bowl of popcorn while you chill in separate houses.
  • Revive the pen-pal trend - Use the mailbox to send grandparents new fridge art, begin a story and ask the recipient to write the next chapter and return the letter, send a handmade card or a simple family update. Keep in mind not everyone has online access.
  • Host a virtual game night - Tap into technology and invite all your family and friends to an online game night. There are plenty of online resources to play traditional board games or you can break out a board game you have at home and play via video chat.
  • Start a book club - Traditional book clubs include sitting face-to-face with a group of people who have read the same book but think outside the box. Pick out a new eBook and send everyone you want to attend an invite to discuss characters, themes and plot twists in a conference call or group video chat.
  • Get active - Don’t despair that your local gym is closed, and you are missing your workout buddy terribly. Pick an online workout you both want to try and video chat while you break a sweat.

In a special virtual meeting of York Region Council bylaws were amended to permit electronic participation during a declared emergency. Highlights of the April 2, 2020 meeting are now available here and the meeting can be viewed here . T here continues to be business that needs to be conducted and there are plans to hold additional virtual meetings.

Details of upcoming YR meetings and other information is available  here . More information about the items highlighted in the Council Highlights can be found here.
Community Meetings and Events

As it stands now, most upcoming events have been cancelled.
Once new events are scheduled they will be added to the list.


  • Upcoming Markham Public Library Events - here
  • Upcoming Varley Gallery Events - here

I'd be pleased to highlight other community meetings in future newsletters. Please forward the details to dhamilton@markham.ca
Question :  We understand Toronto parks are closed. Are we allowed to walk through Markham parks with our dog, or should we not enter the park at all? Can we play in the park?
Answer: Social distancing applies to Markham parks and playgrounds too. Markham parks still remain open but DO NOT use slides, teeter-totters, benches, sport fields, basketball courts, outdoor fitness equipment, skateboard or BMX parks, picnic areas or community gardens. Improper use is subject to a maximum penalty of $100,000.

If you are playing with your family members in a park there could be interpretation trouble. You may well be spoken to by our bylaws staff or York Regional Police, as they are checking local parks and school yards.  More information and updates are available here .
Working together to make Markham better!
Don Hamilton - City of Markham
Deputy Mayor and Regional Councillor
905-415-7549
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